Transplanting Veggies....Or Not

OH, BRRR…..The first day of Spring brought Winter weather this year.  Back in January when I optimistically started my cold-season crops, I thought this was the week I’d move everyone outdoors.  But here in Kansas City, we’re experiencing snow and night-time temps in the low 20’s.  Even with hoop houses over them that’s extreme for seedlings whose first 6 weeks of life have been on a heat pad under warm lights.

 

Regardless of outdoor conditions, it’s time to act:  my seedlings have simply run out of nutrients in their tiny paper pots, as evidenced by leaves that are turning yellow and red.  They need some fresh soil to sink their roots into!  

Broccoli Raab and Red Mustard ready for up-potting.

The only sensible thing to do: keep those babies indoors for a few more days - weeks, maybe? - and put them in larger pots. I spent a minor fortune on ProMix in recent years, so this year I decided to go outside the box and up-pot into compost from our backyard gardens.  YES it’s an experiment, and NO the ‘experts’ don’t recommend it; do those guys own stock in ProMix?  My raised beds contain mostly home-made compost, so in 2 or 3 weeks these babies will have their feet in it anyway. 

 I've collected further evidence that using compost as a medium for up-potting could work: last year I ‘found’ all our tomato sprouts growing in the compost pile, so I transplanted them into compost-filled starter pots where they did just fine until they grew large enough to go into Grow Boxes on the deck.  There, they flourished and provided us with a steady supply of tomatoes until frost, despite the hottest summer on record.  I’m discovering that using "sterile" potting mix for older seedlings might be more gardening myth (propaganda?) than this frugal gardener is willing to accept.  

Here’s my economical method for up-potting into your own compost:

I chose 16 oz. plastic cups as economical pots for my growing seedlings, poking drainage holes in the bottom with screwdriver and hammer.  These are sturdy, and can be washed and reused many times.

I screened my compost to remove bio-char and sticks, which go back to the compost pile since I don’t mind these healthy fillers in my raised beds.  For a screen I used the top to our burning bowl, inverted over a bucket.

Fresh compost ready to screen.

Here's what's left after screening.  I'm returning this to the compost pile.

Freshly screened compost. Beautiful!

I added ½ tsp. balanced organic fertilizer to each pot.  I used Espoma for Vegetables.  Since these transplants are greens prized for their leaves, I could have used a higher-nitrogen fertilizer, but I really didn't want the extra stem growth while they're staying indoors.

I also sprayed daily for 4 days with nettle infusion, a "secret weapon" this organic gardener wouldn’t be without!  It gives the seedlings a foliar nutrient boost while their roots adjust to the new space. After just 4 days, here are the results: truly happy transplants, growing bigger and looking stronger every day!  MYTH BUSTED!!  The important lesson here is not to be afraid to operate slightly outside of conventional ‘wisdom.’  

Broccoli raab transplants, 4 days after up-potting.

Happy and Successful Gardening, everyone!!

Chickweed Spring

Chickweed growing next to the sidewalk.

On my walks this week, I noticed our neighborhood yards are sprouting chickweed. My friend who lives in the country reported that she also has lots of chickweed coming up. It’s more of this herb than I’ve seen around here in years, and I’m excited that Stellaria is back. Mother Nature often brings herbal remedies just when we need them, so I’m curious what might be in store this spring with this wild and wonderful herb.

Chickweed has a multitude of uses, both internal and external: soothing pinkeye, dissolving cysts (I’ve successfully used it to resolve benign ovarian and breast cysts for which the doctors didn’t have a treatment), calming irritation, reducing inflammation, cooling hot and aggravated skin conditions, and much more.  I use Chickweed in infused oils which I make into salves, and in tinctures.  Chickweed is also reported to make wonderful infused vinegar, which brings out her minerals for easy absorption. A welcome addition to salads, fresh Chickweed adds protein, carotenes, vitamin C, minerals, and a bright green springtime flavor.

Nearly all the Chickweed I’m seeing on my neighborhood walks is growing in the ‘public space’ between sidewalk and curb – an interesting placement for a ‘free’ remedy from the Earth. Usually, I spot Chickweed growing on neglected, tired, or unbalanced soil.  Perhaps Chickweed's gift to the Earth is restoring balance by covering bare and tired soils with her thick mat of cooling green. Maybe she also helps to improve mineral composition at the soil surface, as this is an annual that quickly goes to seed and decomposes when hot weather arrives.

Sadly, I must be very careful about harvesting from those public spaces in my area since most of my neighbors load their yards with poisonous lawn chemicals.  I caution you to know whether your harvest area is safe as well.   I’m planning a visit to my friend in the country to take advantage of this Chickweed Spring!  I hope you find some Chickweed to enjoy, too.  Happy Harvesting!