Saturday, May 8, 2010

Seed Grow Project - 'Spitfire' Nasturtiums!

Welcome!

My last post related to this project was dated April 14. This update will show you the progress of the two batches of seedlings I began indoors.
This was batch number one (photo dated April 21, 2010). The little pot in the upper left actually did bear a seedling after a few days. He was planted with his siblings in the following two locations on May 6th.

May 6, 2010


(Those tiny fellows, above, were started in newspaper pots a couple of weeks ago. The weather has been quite cool ever since, so they're not germinating as quickly.)


May 7, 2010

That evening we had a nice rain (1 1/2") - see the gauge?

Don't they look happy?

I'll take photos of both sites again next month. Hopefully we'll have a happy result!
Keep watch. If I don't create a quick "May update" post before the month is over, my June post will include the planting of the last few seeds directly into the ground (somewhere special)!


Until then, would you like to see who else is posting? Click on the word "Grow" below. Would you like to visit Renee's Garden? Click on her name below. She's sponsoring this project. So far, every one of her seeds has germinated. They're very sturdy plants.

"I'm growing Nasturtium "Spitfire" for the GROW project. Thanks, to Renee's Garden for the seeds."

POSTSCRIPT: Given the maturity level of the plants this season, it's hard to believe it's just the first part of May instead of mid-June! However, this is what my front gardens look like as of 3 minutes ago.
Believe it or not, our overnight forecast LOW temp is to be 35 degrees F. In that vein, I have to show you two more photos of what those "Spitfire" Nasturtiums are "up to!" ;-)


Word has it that north of Interstate 80, the temps are supposed to be at a hard freeze. Guess it pays to live "down south!" ha. I'm going to assume that all is well.

Have a good night!

13 comments:

bobbie said...

Well, I had no "project", but i did plant nasturtium seeds - a lot of them. I have five plants growing from all I put in.. At least they look healthy.

Pat said...

Gotta love those newspaper pots, great idea !!!
Your plants look nice and healthy.
I'm guessing they are the Nasturtium seeds you stared last month. The cosmo ones I have to look up.
You sure are always busy with projects and different memes.
Someday I'll be more active on the net...just not good at balancing my time.

Shady Gardener said...

Bobbie, Do you know what I did to encourage a high rate of germination success? I placed many of the seeds between layers of wet paper towels, placed them in a zip-lock plastic bags and left them in a dark cupboard for two days. The seeds were nicely swollen and grew in a matter of days!

Patsi, Don't assume I'm balancing my time. Yep, they're the nasturtiums. I don't know that I'm busier than anyone else (we all share the same 24 hours per day), but I do engage in a lot of Different activities! ;-) The ABC meme was one I just wanted to try (once). Thought it might be an interesting challenge. Have a great weekend!!

joco said...

Nasturtium "Spitfire" ??
They'll be having a variety called "Messerschmidt" next :-)

I love the outlook you have from your home, and that freshly painted white terras. Can I come and have coffee with you, sitting right there?

Kathleen said...

Your garden is looking amazing SG!!! It's so full and lush ~ I agree it looks more like June. I'm jealous you're planting annuals already. Mother's Day weekend is our normal planting time here but they are forecasting frost for Wed & Thurs this coming week so I'm holding off. Who knows when it will be safe this year?

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Jo! Absolutely! Head over! I've been asked to be on the local Garden Tour this year - to be held Sunday, June 13. Want to help?? :-)

Hi Kathleen, Well... those little seedlings were getting so tall, I thought they'd do better in the ground. You're right. We usually wait until after Mother's Day (today) or later... but, they made it okay. I'll just watch the forecast and hope for the best. The rest of the seedlings won't be planted for a little while yet, if I can stand to wait! ha! :-)

I agree that things are different again this year. Hang in there!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Wow your garden is really looking great! Your Lupine is already blooming.
Your Nasturtiums are doing well. I still need to get some planted here soon.

Rosemary said...

Your garden looks fantastic. Love the idea of newspaper pots will be trying next spring.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Catherine! The lupine is a sweet surprise. :-) It will be fun to watch the nasturtiums.

Rosemary, Thanks! The newspaper pots were made by rolling 1/4 sheets of newspaper (folded in half the long way) around a juice glass, folding the bottom edges around the bottom of the glass and adding a piece or two of tape. Then just folded the top edges down and added potting soil. Easy! :-)

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Love the nasties and their cute spiral trellis. We're also about a month ahead of schedule--but had frost the last two nights.

Chloe m said...

Chilly spring... It looks like your Nasturtiums are going to be thriving swimmingly! I have been waiting to plant stuff, if it would just get warm.

VW said...

I'm loving the pictures of your spring garden! I'm amazed at how many different colors of nasturtiums are available now. I'm not a huge orange fan, but might try some of the cherry or yellow colored ones soon.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

At first I was thinking that I screwed up and should have already started my Nasturtiums. Then I got to the end of your post and decided I was wise to wait. I have noticed also that my garden seems to be further along than other years, but then some of the native plants bloom right on schedule.