Starting seeds

For the last two years, I have grown the fast majority of my vegetables from seeds started in the garden. Most by directly planting them in the beds, the more sensitive ones in pots and flats to be transplanted later. Tomatoes have been the major exception; I bought a couple of plants last year and got some more from my brother-in-law.

Last year the results were quite a bit better than in 2009, mainly due to a rather warm April and beginning of May. The year before, there was still snow until the mid of April and soil temperatures remained cold. To play it save, and have some guaranteed produce in the first summer months (when longing for fresh vegetables is the strongest after a long cold winter) I am strongly considering starting seeds from a number of different vegetables in side this year in pots.

Since we are rather limited in space, living in a small appartment and have two boys with an abundance of destructive energy it will have to be a limited operation for now. I am considering getting four or maybe five trays maximum. I envision putting two in our living room close to one of our big windows (and maybe I can sneak in a third...). The others would go on our south-east facing balcony which gets quite a bit of sun, and where they will be protected from the worst cold. If there's cold spells, I could either move the balcony flats inside overnight, or use some protective covering.

It is still too early to get started, at least unless I want to have half a forest in our living room. We're quite a bit away from possible last frost dates, but it is never to early to starting thinking and planning. So, I am gearing up for a quick trip to the gardening center to get some seed starting trays and seed starting soil (which is actually not really soil). I strongly doubt I will be able to resist the urge to buy some more seeds while at the gardening center; like I need any more....

Still here!

Although I did not post any updates in a long time, I have been struggling away, both in the garden plot and a bit at the farm in France. Last summer was our second gardening season here in Switzerland. There's certainly enough room for improvement left, but we definitely did a lot better. It helped tremendously to know the climate and its tricks somewhat more. Also, weather-wise the summer of 2010 was far better than 2009.

Still, a rather extended cold and wet spell in the first two weeks of August didn't help the vegetables that had been planted for the fall/winter season. But, it did keep the green and yellow beans alive and productive for a longer time than normal. Beans were hence the success crop of the year--lucky for us we all love them!

It being winter now, there's little or nothing growing; some kale (most of which I harvested yesterday), cabbage and several overwintering allium variants excepted. However, I do try to spend some time in the garden regardless. I have been pruning the cherry tree, blackberries and the grapes. I tried to transplant some raspberry bushes that had a hard time surviving this summer. Most wood on those seemed dead, and I am not too optimistic. I guess I can only hope the roots are hardy enough and will be able to survive and thrive at a different, slightly more sunny place. I think it is the blackberries that were out-competing the raspberries, so I moved them quite a bit away.

Last year, I took some cuttings from a Josta-berry bush, and planted them. I planted 9 of them, and at least five are still surviving. They did not grow a whole lot last year--at least not visible above ground. That's expected, the first year they will use most of their energy to develop roots. I expect that the growth above ground will take off this year. If they survive another summer and do well I will move them to their definitive destinations. Some of them, I intend to plant on the farm in France.

Curiously, I have a red currant bush that has been grafted; the stem is a current like type, but does not grow any berries. This red currant bush is very productive, so it doesn't seem a bad strategy. I have taken several cuttings of this stem, and hope they will take. Once they grow big enough, I will try to graft some of the red currant stems one them.

Spending a January day in the garden can become somewhat unpleasant if it is too cold or humid. Today, the weather was not really something to complain about, but I figured it still wouldn't hurt to make a small fire:

And, as last, a picture of the view today. Yesterday, they sky was blue and it was clearer, alas, I did not bring my camera, so this one will have to do.