The last two days we have hit about 60 degrees F. by late afternoon and things are starting to happen in the garden!  We have had a really long winter season this year.  On April 9 there was literally a foot of snow still on the raised garden beds.  On April 20, the snow was gone, the ground was thawed, and I planted peas.  Weird stuff.

I am going to be tracking the yields I get out of the raised beds and containers I have at the house this year and the plants at the community garden.

Outside…

Outside I have planted a couple handfuls of peas (some purchased and some saved from last year’s garden) and some radishes.  Lots of flower starts, cilantro, and parsley.

Under the Grow Lights…

Tomatoes, peppers, flowers, onions, lavender, watermelons, gourds, teddy bear sunflowers, pumpkins, and corn.  Seriously.  There is a tiny cornfield in my child’s bedroom window under grow lights.  We tested some seeds and then couldn’t bear to throw the plants away.  They all grew so well.  I have very low expectations for the corn.  Obviously not meant to grow indoors or to start so early.  They are about a foot high and starting to bend over.

My son planted the pumpkins, gourds, and watermelons.  Also too early.  I have no idea if they will survive.  The pumpkins and gourds started to put out flowers.  We pinched them off and the plants are getting bigger.  These (warm weather) plants won’t be able to be put out in our area for at least another month.  And even then, they will likely need some protection on cold nights.  It is an interesting experience at least.

This week…

I will be planting some herbs starts under the grow lights.  I also need to start a few melons, squash, and cucumbers under the grow lights.  It is also likely that I will plant some greens.  Possibly spinach, arugula, kale, green onions, and a few other greens directly in the ground.

Harvest…

Roughly 2 T. of tiny onion tops.  The onion seedlings are doing pretty well.  I am keeping the tops trimmed to let the roots get bigger.  The tops have gone great with potatoes and on casseroles.  Mmmmm.  First taste of homegrown yumminess.

Costs (some are estimates):

*I have an extensive collection of seeds from prior years, seeds I saved from my own garden, and seeds that I am able to obtain for free every year at events hosted in our community and our community seed library, so my seed costs are pretty low.

$21.00 on seeds from Baker Creek seeds

$13.95 potting soil (I always start my seeds in Miracle Grow Moisture Control because I suck at watering seedlings and if I don’t use this stuff, my seeds tend to die from lack of water or over watering.  Also because it has nutrients to feed the seedlings.  I tried using organic and special seed starting mixes.  They were terrible.  Didn’t work for me at all.  I think you have to have a naturally green thumb to have those work.  I am linking to the Amazon product here so you get an idea what the bag looks like, but you can probably find it at your local big box store for a better price.)

$4.99 potting soil

$5.00 new seed starter tray (Just a cheap one from the big box store – they usually last several seasons and they are cheap and easy to find.  The ones I buy usually have cells that are about 1 sq. inch.)

Total:  $44.94

 

At the beginning of the year, when the harvest is 2 T. of green onions and the cost is $44.94, I think of that book, The $64.00 Tomato and hope that the season works out to be economical.  But the therapy of being outside and playing in the dirt is worth something too.  I guess we will see if it all pays off this year.

Go forth and grow!

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