Come see what is sprouting in my greenhouse
In keeping with the greenhouse theme, I thought it would be fun to show you what’s been going on in one area of the big greenhouse. As you can see, the gardeners have been quite busy getting ready for planting outdoors when all danger of frost has past. Seedlings for vegetables and annuals are growing nicely. And during this time, a new crop of vegetable seeds, are planted every two weeks so that, hopefully, the garden remains productive throughout the summer. This is called successive planting. Now we just have to hope that the weather cooperates and it’s neither too wet, nor too dry.
Some of my favorite sources for seeds:
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Thompson & Morgan
The Cook’s Garden
And see how we make seed-starting blocks
Timely and divine!
A friend and I were just this afternoon talking about our dream homes. "Years ago," she said, "I saw a picture of a family who'd moved their kitchen table into their greenhouse. They'd eat dinner underneath the wild vines." We both agreed that such a set-up would be dreamy, indeed.
We've got the kitchen tables. Just need that a greenhouse a la Martha Stewart, and we may never stop eating!
Posted by: Brooke | March 11th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Thanks for sharing Martha, my mum and I will begin sowing seeds in the vegetable patch end the end of the garden this weekend. Things are already picking up really well on our allotment too - although it isn't as neat as your vegetable garden!
How do you keep the slugs away from the lupins?
Pru
Posted by: Pru | March 11th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
How wonderful to see things starting to grow. I found my crocus flowering yesterday and, over the weekend, a robin in my back yard hopping over the snow! Spring is on the way! Your greenhouse is so productive. Is your farm self sufficient? You grow so much! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Barbara | March 12th, 2009 at 12:30 am
The fields upon fields of lupines in Maine are truly a sight to behold.
Posted by: Rebecca | March 12th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Hi Martha,
Everything is beautiful done the Martha way, and especially your Green House on a dreary day. (Couldn’t resist!) Here I am in sunny Florida but the sun is hiding today. I thought it meant we would get rain but none yet. We need rain badly; everything has to be watered constantly, including my palm trees in planters which never need much water.
It makes me happy to plant zinnias and they even thrive in sandy soil in the hot sun which is where I plant my seedlings. They have such lovely colors too. Have you put any tomato plants in your Topsy Turvy upside down tomato planter yet? (You mentioned it on the Business Week interview.) We bought a couple of them to try out but I haven’t found a spot to hang them yet. Thanks for the view of your luscious plants! Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 12th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Hi Martha!
I may have come upon a 'Good Thing' when it comes to seed starting...My garden motto is...'Do it in the dirt for free'; in other words, I will not spend money on the garden and have been forced to 'make-do'. My latest solution to the squirrel & bird, bunny and dear problem is using old curtain sheers to cover beds or flats. It also creates a firmament. I'll let you know as spring comes and goes if the shears ACTUALLY rate as a 'Good Thing' or not.
I'm just a little bit jealous of your seedlings Miss Martha!
Posted by: tinay | March 12th, 2009 at 4:31 am
How inspirational!!
Posted by: susieshomemade | March 12th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Thank you - can you show us photos of the same every 2 weeks as they grow to show us how to prepare them for eventual outside planting? For instance - do you keep stepping up the pot size?
Many thanks
Posted by: karen Knight | March 12th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Thank you for sharing the greenhouse over the last two days! Ahhhh spring is coming...sooo exciting!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | March 12th, 2009 at 5:09 am
A happy sight, indeed, Martha! - that was my very thot't viewing the first picture! All the greenery and seeing somewhat bleak skies thru the glass - well, I'll take the green any day! Do you ever pinch yourself, like, and say to yourself "allll this is miiiine"!(?) What an operation! Gee whiz, YOUR greenhouse is on the same scale as my favorite local nursery that I frequent! I'm sure many will disagree, depending on the severity of their winter, but in spite of the fact that Spring is STILL teasing us as we await her arrival, looking back to autumn and the buttoning up of things for winter, I can't believe spring is practically here already (much as I want it to be.)
If one has need for quantities of flowers and vegetable plants, seeds are the key, aren't they?! - can you imagine the cost savings here, than if one would've outright purchased all those flats?! OMGoodness! I'm particularly fond of zinnias, too (they're old-timey), and cosmos (with their ferny foliage)...nasturtiums, too. Heck, if I had the room, I'd have one of everything! Believe it or not, I don't grow vegetables - I love flowers, and I do love growing herbs.
Your seed sources mentioned are definitely 'tried-n-true'! - Johnny's, Thompson & Morgan, Logees's - they've been established for manymany years and are v-e-r-y reputable (readers, don't hesitate to give 'em a try!) One of my favorites has always been Burpee (WAtleeBurpeeCo) as well as the potted Monrovia selections at local nurseries...they have excellent stock as well and stand behind their products.
Gee whiz, I'm all-a-twitter talking about plants. Gardening's in my blood - I can't help it!
Speaking of Twitter, I'm on, are you, fellow Martha-blog-readers?! Come join us! Let's follow Martha! It's fun!
=^..^=
(twitter> catwhisperer17)
"Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; and give us not to think so far away as the uncertain harvest, keep us here all simply in the springing of the year."--Robert Frost
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | March 12th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Wonderfully appointed greenhouse and it looks like you will have a great garden this year. Love seeing all the healthy seedlings. Now we all need the weather to cooperate! Spring is arriving rather slowly here in Vancouver, Canada.
Posted by: Sherey | March 12th, 2009 at 6:00 am
That is so exciting...I love planting things with seeds. We will not be moving into our new home until August and will miss having a garden this year. I recently read about a new book called Lasagna Gardening that sounds really interesting and look forward to putting it into practice next summer. So for now I will get my gardening bliss via your pictures. best,
http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
Posted by: kerry macLeod | March 12th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Hi Martha,
You couldn't possibly eat all the fruits/vegetables/eggs, etc.etc.....that you grow; so I am curious what you do with ALL of that food!!??? I think it's wonderful that you do grow and produce your own food and such; but I am fascinated by what you would actually "do" with it all!
Best to you always!
Danielle
Posted by: Danielle | March 12th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Martha,
I purchased a 3 tier vase that held over 100 flowers about 5-8 years ago from the on-line site. It came in 3 diffrent sections and almost looked like tiered cake. In my most recent move I think my husband or my mother threw out the box it was in now all I have is the top part of the vase. Can you help me, by telling me where I may be able to purchase it again. thank you, in advance for anything you can do.
Goldriver,California
Mrs. Andrea M. O'Neal-Roberts
Posted by: Andrea O'Neal-Roberts | March 12th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I wonder what you think about those 'indoor' herb and vegetable gardens that come in a dome? I am on a second floor an do not have an outdoor area, but would love to be able to do some gardening. Do you have any tips on what a would-be gardener could try?
Posted by: Kari | March 12th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Martha,
Yay Spring is finally coming! Thanks for the great pics of your greenhouse and seedlings. Can I have a job? I worked part-time in a nursery hard work but oh so gratifiying. There is something about the warmth of the greenhouse, smelling the dirt and planting those seeds!
Mine are starting next week.
I have a question about sowing lettuce seeds. I do plants but when they mature and you plant new seeds- is there a trick or soil type that the seeds like better? I never get success with second planting from seed? Is there a cut-off date for lettuce meaning the weather is too hot to sow? I also have used lettuce covers with much success on existing plants but seeds are a disaster.
Loved your Lilly show- BIG fan for over 10 years! Neat to see concept of designs. Thanks and DO another next season because I am coming to that show!
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. :) | March 12th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I really felt the seed starting segment you discussed the other day was very beneficial to folks out there that are new to gardening. As one who has learned over the years, getting seeds to begin to grow is usually the easy part.
I just hope in a future segment you'll be able to discuss, how to maintain the seedling and how to harden the plant off before planting, various soil types etc., otherwise many of those future gardeners are going to be disappointed. At least it should be mentioned for each plant they should do a little research.
The seed packets are a good basis but they don't tell you about differences in climate and weather etc. Enjoy!
Posted by: susan vanfleteren | March 12th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I was just sitting here watching your show, and I had a epiphany ( phew) you should do a show on your motor cycle touring your area and hitting out of the way mom and pop,s hole in the wall resturant,s with a group of bikes kicking back and relaxing. I find some of those to bepretty cool , we had 1 that pulled their blind,s and locked the door, what was funny was that we had 6 full dressed bikes 2 up and they lost about$100.00 in meal,s.
Posted by: Jerry Lee | March 13th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Martha: Before you hit the garden runnin'
Know that I'm truly only funnin'
Beware the 'IDES',they come too soon
For you to plant by light of moon
Down where the wee people play
Only at night and not by day
Where owlees' hoot and bats do sing
Where fairies sit around their ring
I'll meet you by the garden gate
And promise not to be too late.
Hope my modest effort makes you smile,
blame it on the soda bread.
Posted by: celia stock | March 13th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Hello Martha,
What a fabulous green house! I am starting Pansy seeds right now.
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela Delworth | March 13th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Okay Dear Martha I watch your wonderful show every day and now you got me hooked on "Twittering"
I realize tho it would be so much better if I had a blackberry to do this and follow you!
I am a senior here and live in a high rise and so I am on a limited income! Could you please send me a black berry so I can "twitter along with you" I would so appreciate it! TY Linda
My address is 35 Wall St Apt # 53
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Posted by: Linda Aldi | March 13th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
This is a great sight!!
Posted by: Sharon | March 13th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
What a very beautiful greenhouse you have Martha!I too have a greenhouse,I started to grow seedlings in january and the are very tall indeed!Very delightful to have a greenhouse,anyways what I wanted to say was that,I would love to share the progress of it with you.I have a bunch of lovley photos of the garden.Its really not a big garden,but it certainly is a good garden.In fact I dont think there could be a bad garden,could there?Anyways maybe if you want I could send some photos to you and tell me what you think.By the way Im a big martha fan,I have been baking all your recipies and most of them are very good.Well I hope to talk to you again.
PS:I loved the episode on the "halloween;Good things,Bad things" especially because you mentioned my hometown Shelton,Connecticut.I am not too far from the jones family farms where you picked up that lovley gourd.
Anyways keep up the good work
CIAO
Posted by: Antonio Mogavero | March 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Martha, with all the news about twittering...how about cricutting? have you placed with Cricut cutting machine yet? FUN!!
could be a great show theme!
Posted by: annie tobin | March 14th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Martha, It's fun to follow you on Twitter! And I just found your log. I LOVE your hair in the picture with Richard Gere. It looks shorter, but I am sure that you have not cut it. It looks good tucked behind your ears. Very contemporary.
I have an issue with the Martha Stewart Vintage Wallpaper comforter set I bought at Macy's. They no longer have them. I'm disappointed. Can you help me?
thank you!
Posted by: Patty F | March 15th, 2009 at 7:23 am
I just love your greenhouse Martha. I really would like one someday like this. We are building a atrium/sitting room this year that will be great, because my home is a jungle of plants and flowers, lol
I'll have to post some pics on my blog.
Posted by: J. Samuel Tipton | March 15th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Martha, we have pussywillows and snowdrops blooming here in NH now, what is blooming in your garden? I've forced some quince and white forsythia (abeliophyllum). Your greenhouse looks so wonderfully hopeful!
Posted by: Holly Macy | March 15th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I am in the process of building my green house. When the weather clears, here in North Carolina, I will be finishing it. I am so excited. They are not that expensive if you build them yourself, and I think it should pay for itself within the 1st year of harvest..
Posted by: Elizabeth Miller | March 16th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
What mix do you use for your soil blocks? After watching your segment on soil blocks, I ordered a maker from Johnny's. I tried a mix of Pro-Mix, compost, potting soil, blood and bone meals. Maybe it wasn't wet enough, but they are crumbling! I love the idea of no pots and no shock when time to plant! Thanks for the idea, you have a lot of them!
Posted by: Lisa Drew | March 18th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Hi Martha, This is another blog that I missed and I am so glad that I looked it up, too. It is absolutely wonderful to see all of those fantastic seedlings growing in your greenhouse. I sure wish I had a greenhouse like that. I usually start my seedlings in the house and put them in my garage until the weather improves. Whenever it's sunny and warming up, I put them outside during the day and they seem to grow quicker. Thanks so much for this inspiring blog. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 25th, 2009 at 2:12 am