May 15, 2021 by ilbloccocreati

Mostly April 2021 Garden Journal — ilbloccocreati

USA, zone 5b/6a, New York State.

March 28, 2021

Hopefully wind won't blow my seed containers everywhere even though I tucked them under bushes. Same with my rooting serviceberry/juneberry. (It was fine the next day.)

March 31, 2021

Due to the snow expected tonight and temperatures being below freezing until Saturday, I put all my winter sown seeds that germinated in the back of my car, covered them with a sheet I have. I also checked on indoor seeds, I saw peppers and luffa starting to germinate, so that’s a win. Saw tiny viola outside as well, which is super surprising.

April 1, 2021

Snowed. Seeds in my car.

April 2, 2021

Indoor seeds are growing. I finally replaced my lighting system with a better one. Best thing about it? IT LISTENS TO THE TIMER!! So, my seedlings should be improving from how leggy they were, despite the old lights having been right on top of them.

April 3, 2021

Winter-sown containers were moved back to their normal spot outside because it’s warm again and nights are just above freezing (plus bushes shield them as well). Mom and I did lots of manual labor in the yard. Also repotted several of my houseplants to new improved pots. I need to figure out a moss pole situation to try to save my silver pothos, though. Or get another one (more likely).

April 4, 2021

Went to our house in the country to move things around and check on chickens because it was so warm and nice out. Got back to the house and we saw a rabbit. Good to know regarding plants.

April 6, 2021

Last night, I had to put frost cloth on my germinating winter seeds. Many have been germinating well. Some are taking their time, though. Anyways, within a day, my luffa sprouted so rapidly. I bet I’ll have to transplant them into individual pots in a week or so. I know I’ll have to do that for the zinnia or scabiosa. I also gently pushed down tomato seedlings deeper in the soil due to them being extremely leggy from previous horrible lights that did not work well for my seeds. Considering if I should start some seeds that I thought I’ll direct sow in May.

April 8, 2021

Planted pansies that mom got into her hanging pots for the porch. They will be just fine. Mom mentioned she wants poppies. I told her I have poppies sown, but not sure if they will even come up, so we might as well get poppies that are grown. I need to transplant seedlings into their individual pots soon, especially the luffa. Forsythia bloomed. They’re staying because I like them.

April 10, 2021

Yesterday, I picked up elderberry and persimmon from a local business an hour away. Anyways, today, I planted them. The persimmons were small, so I felt it was best to put them in a 10 gallons fabric bag until they grew more and then to transplant them into the ground. Elderberries went straight in the ground. I also transplanted several seedlings that got large into bigger pots so they can grow more. I gave two pots of large seedlings to my neighbor next door, so she gets some extra zinnias. I also transplanted luffa (they have huge leaves now!) and big tomatoes into pots as well. I sowed some yarrow, nasturtium, and fennel to grow outside along with my winter sown seeds.

April 14, 2021

Seedlings are growing. Discovered columbines in the front yard, which I love. Yesterday, I discovered ramps in my backyard. It’s a super rare, coveted food by chefs, expensive at farmer’s markets, only in season for a few weeks in early spring, and SMELLS strongly of onions when picked. Obviously, I had to pick some of it, leaving the rest alone so it can come back next year. I made an omelet for mom using the ramps and eggs from our chickens and mom loved it, and best of all, it was my very first time making it.

April 18, 2021

Transplanted cherry tomatoes. I raked two beds of leaves and dried stuff, found mint, but want to do a nuclear option of getting 99% of stuff out of the flower beds. Dug out a hosta where my plant station will go. So much work left in the yard.

April 21, 2021

It snowed. 🤬 snow. At least I got frost cloth on my outside plants for the next few days. My newest acquisition came today, a Nepenthes maxima and I’m excited to learn about growing carnivorous plants. I’m also planning a bog garden in a container to be outside year round for some Sarracenia purpurea x2 and Pinguicula.

April 23, 2021

Transplanted peppers into individual pots, transplanted germinating round two zinnas into individual sections in seedling tray as well. I also transplanted scabiosa into 3 containers and started the process of hardening them off gradually. Other plants to follow in a week or so. Started some early spring/summer seeds as well. More to do, but later – another day.

April 27, 2021

Finally figured out that there’s peony growing in the backyard. We are keeping that because we love peonies. Anyways, my seedlings that I’m hardening off, they’re outside for the night because it’s warm out. I hope they will be ok. They should be. Me and mom finally figured out our garden plans as well. Only thing, we need a landscaper to do all the heavy work for us. That means total clean fresh slate for our ideas (mostly). I almost forgot to mention that my order from Logee’s arrived a few days ago. Mom decided to use the Passiflora incarnata that I ordered to be on her trellis, which is the best place for it.