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| Issue No. 11.05 | February 3, 2011 |
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Our Gallipolis, OH; Atlanta, GA and Parkersburg, WV Markets
are now closed for Winter.
See You This Spring! |
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Get Ready for an Early Spring!
It's Official! Yesterday Punxsutawney Phil, our furry forecaster from the north, did not see his shadow. In in keeping with the traditions of weather forecasting rodentia, we can expect an early start to this spring!
This year the long term forecast models are backing up our favorite marmot. They are showing a mild and wetter (not snowier) February. Hopefully this means an earlier start to the growing season as well. We'll keep monitoring to you know the optimal planting times. |
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How to Test Seed Germination
Like many gardeners, I like to save some of my seeds from year to year. Whether it is an heirloom variety or something new, a simple germination test can tell you if you should order replacements. Since your house is warm year round you can do the seed germination test before growing season to see if you need to buy more seed because not enough are sprouting. - Moisten two or three layers of papers towels.
- Take about 25 to 50 seeds and place them on the towels and gently roll the towels loosely.(Or if have less than 250 seeds take 10% of what you have to do the test.)
- Place the paper towels in a plastic baggy.
- Keep the towels in a warm place such as your kitchen counter.
- Remember that different plant species have different germination times. Radishes generally germinate in 2 or 3 days, while peppers can take up to 2 weeks to germinate.
- Observe the seeds every other day to determine the degree of germination you'll likely get with the other seeds you took the sample from.
If your stored seeds perform poorly when tested, consider ordering replacements. However, don't throw out the bad seeds if a few germinate. When I plant my replacements, I then oversow the area with my saved seed. That way any of the seeds that were still viable have a chance to be enjoyed. Also, this will help mix the genetics if you are planning on saving these seeds too. I've ended up with some unique varieties over the years using this technique (some better than others). This also reminds me to remind you that saving seeds from hybrid plants is a bit of a gamble. The offspring almost never resemble the parent plants because they are specially bred for just that particular generation / growing season.
(Maybe I'll do a sciencey article on Mendelian genetics in a future newsletter.) |
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Save The Date:
Saturday, April 30, 2011
at 1:00 p.m.
Bob's Market & Greenhouses, Inc.'s
SPRING COLOR TOUR
Stop by our production headquarters in Mason, WV for a guided tour of our massive greenhouse facility! We will meet in front of the
quilt square on the big red building.
Be sure to bring a camera!
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1st-2nd Favorable Planting Days.
3rd-4th Barren Days. Fine For Clearing, Plowing, Fertilizing, And Killing Plant Pests.
5th-6th Good for Planting Seeds. -- Test Germination of Stored Seeds.
7th-9th Seeds Planted Now Will Tend To Rot.
10th-11th Fine for Planting.
12th-13th Any Seed Planted Now Will Tend To Rot.
14th-15th Good For Planting.
16th-19th Clear Ground, Turn Sod. Kill Plant Pests. -- Clear Gardens and Flower Beds of Weeds in Preperation for Spring.
20th-22nd Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops.
23rd-24th Start Seedbeds. Good Days For Transplanting.
25th-27th Neither Plant Nor Sow On These Barren Days.
28th Any Root Crops That Can Be Planted Now Will Do Well.
"Tis easy to see, hard to foresee."
-Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richards Almanac, 1736
anted Now Will Grow Poorly And Yield Little. |
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Crunchy Chicken or Pork Chops
by Dee Bumgardner
Ingredients
- 2 Cups, French's French Fried Onions
- 1 Cup, Italian Style Bread Crumbs
- 1 Egg, beaten
- Chicken or Pork
Crush onions and add the bread crumbs using a plastic bag. Dip chicken or pork chops in egg, then coat with bread crumbs. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes. Check to ensure meat is done.
Send your recipes to ask@bobsmarket.com
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Picture of the Week
Super Elfin White Impatiens for Bob's Finished Production
by: John Morgan
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Bob's Market & Greenhouses
Mason, West Virginia 25260
1-800-447-3760
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