RE: Latin Names And....seed starting

Hi Maria,

> LATIN NAMES...
Believe
> it or not, I AM getting better, but appreciate the web sites. 
> (I'm Catholic,
> so Latin isn't TOO unfamiliar! :~D  ha! ha!)

I believe it!  The more you read, the more it will "sink" in.  I have some
background in medical terminology and the same was true for me -- Latin not
sounding completely foreign.  It does make sense to have ONE language for
things that can so easily be confused.

> COMPOST...
> Just spread the compost right over top of my mulch!? (It's shredded
> hardwood.)  Or should I scrap the mulch away, spread compost, 
> then replace
> the mulch?

Depending on how big your shredded hardwood is, I'd put it over the top.  I
plant so tightly (cottage style) that I haven't used chip size mulch in
years, so someone else may be able to answer this better than I.  You will
notice dramatic improvement in your soil and plants.  We have had the
wettest Feb. on record and last weekend while digging plants for a friend,
we both noticed how gorgeous and crumbly my bed soil was in comparison to
where we were walking (positively squish, slide; squish, slide clay).

> STARTING SEEDS...
> Recommendations or should I forget it? My lighting is limited to one
> south-facing kitchen window or a flourescent light 
> permanently mounted 1'
> above a table top. 

It's certainly not ideal.  I have one narrow south facing window in a spare
room, myself.  You'll get as many ideas as people that respond to your
question, but my approach, until I come up with a more professional seed
starting scenario, is to start seeds in a soiless mix (purchased at any
variety store or garden center) in those trays with clear plastic tops (for
a greenhouse affect) in plastic or peat pots.  

Once the seedlings are up, I let them grow on a bit UNTIL THEY HAVE *TRUE*
leaves.  They will get lanky very soon with such little light.  I plan my
seed starting strategy to coincide as close as possible with when I could
put the seedlings outside -- at least during the day -- with some protection
from strong spring winds/rain.  I "harden" them off (get them used to
outdoor temps) and then plant right out.  

This is only slightly better than direct seeding right out into the garden,
but in my rainy climate, doing it this way, I may lose the seedlings to
slugs or severe adverse weather, but they at least don't wash away and of
course many won't germinate unless it's really warm (which the house is).
Most of the time it works great.  Even lanky, funny looking seedlings
"straighten" out.  This has worked well for me for several years.

Since you only have one window, stagger your plantings, starting with those
that will be able to be transplanted first, and so on.  For instance I start
with morning glory, etc., mostly because they take longer.  Then I move on
to things that take cool springs and can be planted out by April/May.  The
last things I plant will be things that can't be planted out until it really
warms up, like pumpkins and gourds, etc. in June.

I am very restricted on time so I don't even thin my seedlings, I cut out
the ones I don't want or plant them out in a clump from the pot and let them
"duke it out."  Most of the things I grow -- that's not a problem.  Larger
seeds like pumpkins and gourds are easy to see that you're only planting 1-2
to a pot, the tiny ones are the ones I leave in clumps as they germinate and
I plant them out.

Annual poppies are very easy and *should* be direct seeded as early as you
can.  I literally just toss mine out on the composted beds in March (they
like a cold period) and they always come up, even after terrible rains,
snows, etc.

Seed starting can be discouraging when you first begin.  You'll get the hang
of it; read all you can, and of of course this piece of advice is
disregarded by all gardeners: start small and a little at a time.  Ha Ha.
Like that will ever happen when spring fever hits!

Susan Saxton, zone 6b
For mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the 
flowers come together to praise the Lord and teach all 
who look upon them to do likewise.
Celia Thaxter

I AM in shape.  ROUND is a shape!

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