6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Onion seed is black and so you might be able to see the seed that already scattered on the ground, if you look closely, and pick it up. Or just leave it alone and let nature take its course and you will have seedlings in the spring, maybe. I don't know about Alaska, though, the winters are pretty long.
I second Johnny's. Also consider Tomato Growers Supply, Territorial Seeds, Fedco, and Seeds of Change. I also get a few select varieties from Burpee and Park.
The key to a great veggie garden is to try different varieties until you find one or two that work well for you. Each area has a unique soil and climate and gardener so if someone raves about a particular seed and it doesn't do well for you then move on to the next one. Gardening life is too short to fool around babysitting seedlings when others work much better.
Last November I placed two genetically pure American Chestnut seeds in the fridge in damp Sphagnum in plastic bag with a few holes. I have been so busy with Butternut tree starts that I had forgotten about them, but my wife discovered them in late June this year sprouting in the fridge. Had never tried to grow Chestnut trees before. So I planted shallowly in 7" x 16" deep treepots and kept very well watered. I waited about a week and carefully dug the spouts up and replanted with leaf sprouts just through the suface. I now have one tree with very good leaf formation and am going to lift the other spout out again tonight to see if it is still alive.
1) the wind MAY cause the soil to dry out & that will impeed germination & further growth
2) In the conditions you describe a "mulch" or other protection may be required
3) Experiments show that a gental breeze & the resulting plant movement produces stronger plants
If in doubt whether the seeds are good or not, I usually test the seeds by placing them on a MOIST paper towel, folding it over several times. Place in a small Ziploc plastic bag and put on top of the refrigerator. This method is explained on page 41 of Garden Way's JOY OF GARDENING by Dick Raymond. On July 4th I placed two seeds of GAYLIA MELON 409 which I obtained from Thompson and Morgan on 07-15-1989. That is correct almost 20 years ago.
One of the seeds germinated on 07-10-09 and I planted it in a 2 3/4" plastic pot filled with moistened germinating mix. The seeds were kept at room temperature all these years in the original inner foil packet and outer paper packet. My reason for wanting to replant this variety was that it is the standard seed from which I can obtain seeds to save. Galia melon is now available as a hybrid although some seed providers have the OP available. I tried this method with 10 Melon Ogen seeds with 100% germination. I just checked the invoice, and it is listed as Melon Gaylia F1 Hyb even though Standard Seed is listed on the right hand margin on the back of the packet. Will have to rethink about saving the seed if indeed it was a hybrid.
If in doubt whether the seeds are good or not, I usually test the seeds by placing them on a MOIST paper towel, folding it over several times. Place in a small Ziploc plastic bag and put on top of the refrigerator. This method is explained on page 41 of Garden Way's JOY OF GARDENING by Dick Raymond. On July 4th I placed two seeds of GAYLIA MELON 409 which I obtained from Thompson and Morgan on 07-15-1989. That is correct almost 20 years ago.
One of the seeds germinated on 07-10-09 and I planted it in a 2 3/4" plastic pot filled with moistened germinating mix. The seeds were kept at room temperature all these years in the original inner foil packet and outer paper packet. My reason for wanting to replant this variety was that it is the standard seed from which I can obtain seeds to save. Galia melon is now available as a hybrid although some seed providers have the OP available. I tried this method with 10 Melon Ogen seeds with 100% germination. I just checked the invoice, and it is listed as Melon Gaylia F1 Hyb even though Standard Seed is listed on the right hand margin on the back of the packet. Will have to rethink about saving the seed if indeed it was a hybrid.
Nope.
It's not too late to plant this year.
In Massachusetts we recieved June frosts this year and a 7.5" of rain. I didn't plant my garden until the first week of July.
I already have 3 speckled roman tomatoes fully ripened and picked and a 2 pantano tomatoes that will be ready this coming week.
The trick I used was keeping everything in pots until the weather stabilized --- Which I might add didn't help.
My garden weathered the hail storm yesterday, but my neighbor's garden was torn to shreds.
I'm going out on a limb here, since I live on the other side of the puddle, but over the past few years I have found that one has to rely on instinct more than the instructions given on the packet as to when to plant out.
'Seasons', as such don't seem to exist anymore... we've had November days that were up into the 70's, and yet have had to turn on the heating in the house in late May.
Summer flooding has become a real problem in parts of the UK, and last February we had snow in this area for the first time since 2003.
Growing has become a lottery unless you are using a glasshouse, and every year brings the question of "what might actually produce a crop?". My pear tree hasn't fruited well in this millenium, last year we had a meagre plum crop ( nothing the year before )... runner beans did well, but tomatoes were a waste of time!
I'm glad I'm starting to lose my hair otherwise I'd be tearing it out! :-)
I found this site, perhaps you can email for more specific info?
Tammy
Here is a link that might be useful: Angelonia Angelface
Thanks for the effort tammy. They did re-seed, in the spot I had them planted in, last summer, but they were less vigorous than 'Angelface', a marked reduction.