RADISHES (Raphanus sativus) 'Cherry Belle'

I love planting one of vegetable gardening's quickest selections, Radishes. 

I planted 'Cherry Belle' Radishes on 03/11/12.  I planted them in the small raised bed my husband just made for me.  Germination took only 4 days!

This picture of tiny seedlings was taken on 03/15/12. 

I took this picture today, 03/24/12.  Wow look how well they are coming along. 

This particular radish is ready in just 22 days!

Radishes are a great plant if you want to feel the thrill of victory in planting from seed in a very short period of time!  They also grow very well in any kind of container. 

They are also considered a garden hero because they will draw aphids and flea beetles from peppers; protect cucumbers, squash, and melons from cucumber beetles; and rout two-spotted spider mites from tomoato plants.  They can be planted amongst the above plants to stand guard duty!

What a versatile plant.  I would love to hear of any other great stories about radishes, ideas for planting, or great tips for growing these awesome veggies!

Happy Spring!
Mindy

Beautiful Blooms, Stunning Seedlings, and Time for Transplantation



Kale - Dwarf, Blue Curled - Planted outside 03/05/12

  

Daffodils, a sure sign of Spring!

My Magnolia bush in bloom!  What a lovely smell they have!

Burpee Pea - Burpeeana, Early - Planted outside 02/20/12

My small garden bed - Radishes, Burpee Cherry Belle
Planted 03/11/12

My Transplantation Day!  It was time to transplant my Tomato and Pepper Seedlings!
What a fun Day!  I also transplanted some 4 o'clocks, Salmon Sunset and Gaillardia, Arizona Apricot

Kale, Dwarf, Blue, Curled

Viola's, one of my spring favorites!  Lovely smell and the flowers are edible!

More Violas



My seedlings before transplantation!  As you can see they are a bit crowded!



After Transplantation and back to the grow light they go!

Spring is here!  Happy Gardening!
Mindy

The Effects of Spring Fever

 

Well as Spring comes on full force, my husband has once again been at work!  He has created this absolutely amazing raised bed "garden" for me!  I now have two more large raised bed areas, as well as an addition small raised bed area.  In the center we have put landscape fiber down and mulched the area to keep weeds out!
My husband is just amazing with his handy work!  When he said he had an idea for additional garden space, I had no idea this is what he was thinking!  I love it.  As you can all probably image, this is where I have spent all of my time when I don't have other things that I must do!    Fun! Fun! Fun!
Happy Spring and Happy Gardening!  Mindy

MORE AND MORE BLOOMS EVERY DAY

Every day that I take a stroll I find more life to my gardens.  I love spring with the Daffodils and Crocus, such pretty colors.  The bottom right pictures is a picture of a plant that I purchased at the end of the season last year called Mr. Goldstrike!  It is a beautiful foliage perennial.  The bottom right pictures is a beautiful shrub that is now blooming that was given to me by my girls and husband for Mother's Day!  What a beautiful cascade of flowers it produces!  Top corner pictures are of my very first Hellebore!  I think it is sprouting a bloom from the base of the plant.  I am so excited.  I purchased it last May at a Master Gardner plant sale in my area!  It is my first Hellebore!  Can't wait to see the blooms!

Busy day today transplanting my broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower into larger containers!  As you can see they are definitely ready to be transplanted. 

I had my assembly line ready.  I am trying some organic fish fertilizer.  This will be a new thing, anxious to see how it works!  I also transplanted some Kale (Blue, Curled) outside!  I am not sure how this will do, but I am going to give it a shot, as it is not really a plant you start indoors in my area. 

Happy Gardening and Happy Spring (14 days away)!
Mindy

Seed Starting Project Phase II

I began Phase II of my seed starting project this weekend! After having great luck with three day germination on some of my seeds started last weekend, I decided to continue on with my project. In my windowsill greenhouse with a small heat mat underneath it, I have also started Ferry Morse Tomato (Roma VF), Tomato (Jelly Bean Hybrid), and Tomato (Red Cherry), along with Burpee Tomato (Big Boy) and Park Seed Tomato (Choice Container VFF Hybrid) - this one was free with my Park Seed order!

I also planted Park Seed Pepper (Hot Mucho Nacho Hybrid), Broccoli (Cornado), Squash (Organic Early Summer Crookneck).

Along with the above veggie seeds, I also decided to try some flower seeds as well. With this I planted Park Seed (Mirabilis Salmon Sunset), Hosta (American Crosses), Gaillardia (Arizona Apricot), Burpee Viola (Psychedelic Spring), Park Seed Coreopsis (Tictoria Roulette) and Rudbeckia (Cappuccino).

I planted some of the seeds from my daylily plants that I collected up at the end of the summer last year. After drying these and placing them in baggies in the refrigerator over the winter, I got them out and tried my hand at planting some of those as well!

Only time will tell if my seed starting endeavors have been worth it!

Our Little Piece of Heaven is Coming Alive!

OUR LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN IS COMING ALIVE!

After searching my flower beds, I found a few areas that are beginning to come alive with the promise of Spring! What a refreshing site! Its time to get out and freshen up the beds and get ready for the bit event - Gardening Season!

I hope all of you are seeing you own little signs of the promise of Spring!

SPRING FEVER AND DREAMS OF GARDENING!

With what seems like a very "short" and "warmer than usual" winter, I am already starting to get a itchin' from the Spring Fever Bug!  I know there are still more cold days to come, but I was so excited to get started on my seed endeavor this year.  I placed my order from Burpee and Park Seed last night and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of more seeds!

After reviewing my "Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener's Handbook" by Ron and Jennifer Kujawski that I started last year, I found that it was time to get some seeds started.  My weekend consisted of purchasing needed supplies (some of which I purchased on clearance at the end of the year last year) and getting my plan together. 

I prepared two "Jiffy" mini greenhouses.  In thes I planted Ferry-Morse Cauliflower (Early Snowball A), Broccoli (De Cicco), Brussel Sprouts (Catskill), Cabbage (Copenhagen Market, Early Hybrid), Burpee Cabbage (Crisp and Cool Hybrid), and Livingston Seed Co. Spinach (Bloomsdale, Long-standing).


I have prepared an area with a shop light

hanging overhead, very close to the mini greenhouses.  I have the light set on a timer to come on at 5 a.m. and go off at 9 p.m. to allow 16 hours of light for germination.  We will see how this works out!  I should have some seedlings poking through within 8 to 10 days!  Can't wait to see!


 It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain