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garden:cultivate:tasks:propagate

Propagation

Previously...

In the past we started seeds for transplanting in the house. Once we transplanted these starts into pots, Maura took as many to her office as it would hold, because of the constant temperature and more sunlight through her office window.

This approach to propagation had several results:

  1. Plants got off to a slow start.
  2. We had a mess in the dining room.
  3. We limited the varieties we could start.
  4. Plants weren't as robust as they might have been.

This year (2015)

Events have allowed me to get an earlier start than previous years, so I've had time to plan and scheme. After attending a workshop by Kate Halstead of the Soil Sisters Plants, I decided to take propagation to the next level - propagation heat mat, grow light, lots of trays and pots.

Transplanted seedlings from seeding and transplanting workshopWorkshop transplants just after putting in gardenAt the seeding workshop I transplanted six starts. These are my initial victims. Soon I will plant a variety of seeds here and see if we can do any better than in the past.

And the greenhouse that has never been more than a storage shed takes on a new role!

Our greenhouse propagation roomI now have grow lights, propagation heat mats, and trays and cell packs. Already the results are greatly more satisfying than previous years. Seeds sprout quickly, they grow more robustly and appear healthier.

Record keeping

This first year I had no idea how long it would take for a particular variety to be ready for transplanting. So I'm keeping track of the various milestone dates: seeding, sprouting, true leaves, potting, transplanting and harvesting. Next year I will be able to plan better.

garden/cultivate/tasks/propagate.txt · Last modified: 2015/04/25 18:53 by davidbac