11 November 2010

The lovely lettuce and greens in the photo below are last year’s garden. Because of projects at work, once again the winter garden was planted later than I prefer. Most seeds went in between October 25 and November 7. Gentle rains preceded some warm days. Soil temperature was up, so germination has been good. I think seeds prefer rainwater.  

Today’s image was taken after planting the lettuce bed. These are the humble beginnings. After years of covering seeds with row cover, I changed to the black plastic nursery trays at the suggestion of a gardening friend. Lacking enough of the trays for all the seed beds, I pressed the compost sifter into service and a little row cover.  

Here’s why I like the nursery trays:

• Trays break the force of the water and keep seeds from washing away.  
• On very warm days, they shade the seed bed. Newly emerged seedlings can grow to about an inch in height.  
• They discourage marauding cats from subverting my garden to their uses.
• Easy to place and remove, they are free and store easily.  Row covers blow around and bend the necks of newly emerged seedings. 

Later, I’ll post the same garden bed sans the clutter.

Maybe you have a proven way to protect the seed bed.  Or maybe you do nothing but cover the seeds with soil and all is well.  Tell me what works for you.