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What I'm growing

Hello All,              

Sure is getting harder to keep up with mail and still do everything we want
to do outside. The seed starting issues have been enlightening. I may be old
fashioned but it seems to me if you have to help a seed along as much as
some of you have (sanding, bubbling, etc.)you might as well chalk that one
up as a weakling never bound for greatness. Not to say that you won't be
helping it to be all that it can be.

I'll be starting the following seeds in 4" peat pots around May 1. I
considered using wet paper towels as I have for tomato seeds in the past but
the only reason to do so would be to save potting soil and space neither of
which are an issue for me.  
                   Holland 708.5, 722
                   Zehr 1061, 798
                   Bobiers 796.5  
                   Dill's 500-700

Incidentally you may want to substitute a coffee filter for paper toweling.
It's a little less porous and the fine root hairs stick to it less when you
go to transplant the seed. This shouldn't be a problem however unless you
are late in removing the freshly germinated seed to the soil. You can also
avoid injury by cutting around the germinated seed and planting a piece of
towel and all should you find it adherent. These are tricks that I use for
small seeds and probably won't be necessary for giants.

The Wallace 567 which I started Apr 4 looks very strong to this untrained
eye. It is just now beginning to push its third leaf. Strong roots were
already pushing through the bottom of a four inch pot last sunday so I put
it in a 10" peat pot which unfortunately is only a little deeper than the 4.
It's going to have to go in the ground soon. The night time temperature in
my cloche however is not cooperating here in central NY. I am going to place
some black colored buckets of water in there today to see if I can hold the
temperature a little better thru the night. 

Ciao, John
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