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Tue, Aug 4, 09 at 18:38
| I am a first year gardener and have had success with getting most everything to a good size transplant from seed -- everything except marigolds and chard.
I don't know why these two have been so difficult especially since chard is supposed to be easy. I've tried direct seeding, peat pots and starting in vermiculite -- each with only moderate success. Any and all suggestions welcome. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by bluebonnet_fields 6 (My Page) on Tue, Aug 4, 09 at 21:47
| Swiss Chard should be easy direct sowing the seed, but it is a cool weather crop. What zone are you in? Maybe it is too late in the season to sow for you-i.e. too hot right ow where you live? Maybe wait for the Fall garden... What is happening to your marigolds? Make sure you don't plant them too deep. I just scatter them about and barely cover with soil. Hope this helps a little... |
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| I'm in zone 9 -- it is hot here but I've been following a schedule for my zone that called for swiss chard in June. It says that I can try again now ... we'll see how it goes. I'm starting them indoors for the time being. My problem with marigolds might be that I'm planting too deep. I'll try scattering them. Thanks! |
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| we planted kale seed 3 weeks ago and began to transplant them this week. |
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- Posted by gardener_mary 6 MA (My Page) on Fri, Aug 7, 09 at 14:57
| I start swiss chard in 3oz solo cups (with holes poked in bottom) filled with dampened seed starting mix, vermiculite or a mix of both. I plant 6-8 (presoaked) seeds in a cup, push them lightly into the soil then cover lightly with more soil. Use a spray bottle to keep the top of soil damp until the germinate. I usually get around 12-20 plants. Once they germinate make sure they get lots of light. I then transplant them out after they get their first set of true leaves. I don''t thin them in the cup, just tranplant what I want out into the garden. When you plant mixes you can see what colors you have before you put them out. I have not had any luck starting swiss chard directly in the garden. Good gardening, Mary |
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