Thursday, March 6, 2014

2014 Best Spring Planting Dates for Seeds for Yelm, WA

When determining the best planting dates in the spring for seeds, the date of the last spring frost is important to your success. NOTE: Our chart calculates U.S. frost dates only, based on historical data. Other factors can also influence planting dates, including soil temperature, altitude and slope of land, nearby waters, and day length. Keep records of your garden's conditions each year to plan more accurately.

Seeds for plants with a long growing season should be started indoors during the periods shown below.
Seeds for plants sown in the ground should be planted during the periods shown.
When no dates appear in the chart, that starting method is not recommended for the particular vegetable.
To start transplants, see our Best Dates to Transplant (by region).

Planting by the Moon?

Above-ground crops are planted during the light of the Moon (new to full); below-ground crops are planted during the dark of the Moon (from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again). Planting is done in the daytime; planting at night is optional!

Crop	Start Seeds Indoors	Moon-favorable Dates	Set Out Plants/ Start Seeds Outdoors	Moon-favorable Dates
Beans			May 12-Jun 2	May 12-14, May 28-Jun 2
Beets			Apr 21-May 12	Apr 21-27
Broccoli	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 14-May 5	Apr 14-15, Apr 29-May 5
Brussels sprouts	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 7-28	Apr 7-15, Apr 28
Cabbage	Mar 10-24	Mar 10-16	Apr 7-21	Apr 7-15
Carrots			Mar 31-Apr 14
Cauliflower	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 7-21	Apr 7-15
Celery	Feb 23-Mar 10	Mar 1-10	May 12-26	May 12-14
Collards	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 7-28	Apr 7-15, Apr 28
Corn			May 5-19	May 5-14
Cucumbers	Apr 7-14	Apr 7-14	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9
Eggplant	Feb 23-Mar 10	Mar 1-10	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9
Kale	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 7-28	Apr 7-15, Apr 28
Kohlrabi			Apr 7-28	Apr 7-15, Apr 28
Leeks	Feb 23-Mar 10	Mar 1-10	Apr 7-28	Apr 7-15, Apr 28
Lettuce	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 21-May 19	Apr 28-May 14
Melons	Apr 7-14	Apr 7-14	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9
Okra			May 19-Jun 2	May 28-Jun 2
Onion sets			Apr 7-28	Apr 16-27
Parsnips			Apr 14-May 5	Apr 16-27
Peas			Mar 24-Apr 14	Mar 30-Apr 14
Peppers	Feb 23-Mar 10	Mar 1-10	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9
Potato tubers			Apr 28-May 19	May 15-19
Pumpkins	Apr 7-21	Apr 7-15	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9
Radishes			Mar 10-31	Mar 17-29
Spinach			Mar 24-Apr 14	Mar 30-Apr 14
Squash	Apr 7-21	Apr 7-15	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9
Sweet Potatoes	Apr 7-14		May 19-Jun 9	May 19-27
Swiss Chard	Mar 24-Apr 7	Mar 30-Apr 7	Apr 14-21	Apr 14-15
Tomatoes	Mar 10-24	Mar 10-16	May 12-Jun 2	May 12-14, May 28-Jun 2
Turnips			Apr 7-28	Apr 16-27
Watermelon	Apr 7-14	Apr 7-14	May 19-Jun 9	May 28-Jun 9

http://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates/WA/Yelm

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Full Moon Names and Meanings

Historically, the Native Americans who lived in the area that is now the northern and eastern United States kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to the recurring full Moons.

Each full Moon name was applied to the entire month in which it occurred. These names, and some variations, were used by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

Note: The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. It can occur in either September or October. At this time, crops such as corn, pumpkins, squash, and wild rice are ready for gathering.

Month	Name	Description
January	Full Wolf Moon	This full Moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full Moon, in February.
February	Full Snow Moon	Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some Native American tribes this was the Hunger Moon.
March	Full Worm Moon	At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.
April	Full Pink Moon	This full Moon heralded the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.
May	Full Flower Moon	Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. Some Algonquin tribes knew this full Moon as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.
June	Full Strawberry Moon	The Algonquin tribes knew this Moon as a time to gather ripening strawberries. It is also known as the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.
July	Full Buck Moon	Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This full Moon was also known as the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.
August	Full Sturgeon Moon	Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon.
September	Full Corn Moon	This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It is also called the Barley Moon, because it is the time to harvest and thresh the ripened barley. The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox, which can occur in September or October and is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.
October	Full Hunter's Moon	This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened. Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter ahead. October's Moon is also known as the Travel Moon and the Dying Moon.
November	Full Beaver Moon	For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon was also called the Frost Moon.
December	Full Cold Moon	This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes.

Article located on: http://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-names

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Febrary Garden Starters

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Pruning Pointers for Trees and Shrubs

Cut poles for peas, beans, and other climbers now. Peel off the bark and set them in a dry area until they are needed.

Late winter is a good time for pruning some trees and shrubs. Pruning deciduous plants in the winter promotes fast regrowth in the spring, as most plants are dormant during the winter. It's also easier to see the shape of deciduous plants in the winter, since their foliage is gone.

Prune on a mild, dry day. When pruning, first prune out dead and diseased branches. Then remove the overgrown and smaller branches to increase light and air at the crown of the tree. In general, your goal is to keep the branches that develop or maintain the structure of the tree. Cut branches at the node, the point at which one branch or twig attaches to another.

Pruning Pointers for Trees and Shrubs

Pruning trees and shrubs may be the most feared act in gardening. Using sharp metal objects to cut away life goes against our natural inclinations.

Remember that Nature is the Great Pruner. For example, when trees grow too close together, branches die as they compete for sunlight and airflow.

Pruning is a vital part of gardening. The key is to know why we're sharpening our shears. Consider these three reasons:

To Thin:

Remove to improve. Thinning is about cutting out all dead, diseased, and injured parts to let in more air and light. Most important, thinning prevents confusion of a plant's structural line and enhances it health.

To Reduce:

In Nature, most plants we grow are in splendid isolation, trying to spread unnaturally fast. Our job is to prevent certain shrubs and trees from outgrowing their position in a yard. Judicious reducing helps plants develop into sound structures without over-stressing their limbs. Also, maximum flowering and bountiful fruit are only possible by pruning.

To Amputate:

It sounds harsh, but severe pruning is necessary to restore older trees and shrubs to better health. Most plants are amazingly forgiving with experimentation. Think twice, cut once, and watch carefully. Your plants will tell you in their own way how to do better next season.

Pruning Pointers

Here are some pruning pointers for late winter and early spring. Plants are dormant but the coldest part of winter has passed, lowering the chance of cold damage near pruning cuts.

Prune butterfly bush severely. These plants bloom only on new shoots. Stimulate new growth by lopping the whole plant to within a few inches of the ground.
Cut to the ground some or all of the oldest stems of shrubby dogwoods. This will make way for the youngest stems that will provide next winter’s show of bright yellow or red.
On apple and other fruit trees, cut water sprouts right to their bases. These vigorous, upright shots soak up the plant’s energy and bear few or no flowers or fruits. Remove weak twigs.
For smooth hydrangea, cut all stems to the ground. For bigleaf or oakleaf hydrangea, cut stems with old flowers still attached back to fat flower buds.
For lilacs, remove all dead canes. Cut out all crossing branches, keeping the strongest or most useful ones for a graceful form. Cut back last year’s growth dramatically, though never more than one-third of the live wood.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Small Simple Garden

I found this article on Sunset. Great little Starter Garden

You don't need lots of space to grow herbs and vegetables. At Sunset's headquarters, test-garden coordinator Bud Stuckey planted this organic vegetable garden in four raised beds, each 4 feet square and made of 2-by-6 composite lumber called Trex.

Before planting, he double-dug all beds, turning the soil to a depth of about 22 inches, then amended it with compost. Here's what we grew and liked.

QUADRANT 1: 'Blue Lake' bush beans, lettuce (dark red leaf, 'Red Grand Rapids', and dark 'Lollo Rosso' ― located in the shade of the beans' obelisk to prevent bolting), 'Bolero Nantes' carrots (between the lettuce plants), and peppers ('Golden Summer', 'Ariane', and 'Purple Beauty').

QUADRANT 2: 'Celebrity' and 'Early Girl' tomatoes, 'Dark Opal' basil, 'Long Red Cayenne' peppers, 'Sun Gold' cherry tomato, and sweet basil.

QUADRANT 3: 'Ambassador' zucchini, Japanese eggplant, 'Orange Bell' peppers, and sweet basil.

QUADRANT 4: Mostly herbs. Chives, English thyme, golden lemon thyme, parsley (triple curled and Italian), nonbolting rau ram (Vietnamese cilantro), savory, and a few 'Inferno' peppers. 'Blue Horizon' ageratum and white sweet alyssum surround the bed.

Seeds and seedlings

You can buy seedlings of many vegetables at nurseries. Or order seeds by mail; the following companies sell seeds of healthful fruit and vegetable varieties.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

A Beginner's Vegetable Garden

If you're a beginner vegetable gardener, remember this: It's better to be proud of a small garden than to be frustrated by a big one!

One of the common errors for beginners is planting too much too soon and way more than anybody could eat or want. Unless you want to have zucchini taking up residence in your attic, plan carefully. Start small.

The Very Basics

Here are some very basic concepts on topics you'll want to explore further as you become a vegetable gardener extraordinaire:

Vegetables love the sun. They require six hours (continuous, if possible) of sunlight each day, at least.
Vegetables must have good, loamy, well-drained soil. Most backyard soil is not perfect and needs a helping hand. Check with your local nursery or county extension office about soil testing, soil types, and soil enrichment.
Placement is everything. Like humans, vegetables need proper nutrition. A vegetable garden too near a tree will lose its nutrients to the tree's greedy root system. On the other hand, a garden close to the house will help to discourage wild animals from nibbling away your potential harvest.
Vegetables need lots of water, at least one inch of water a week. In the early spring, walk around your property to see where the snow melts first, when the sun catches in warm pockets. This will make a difference in how well your vegetables grow.
Study those seed catalogs and order early.

Deciding How Big

A good-size beginner vegetable garden is 10x16 feet and features crops that are easy to grow. A plot this size, planted as suggested below, can feed a family of four for one summer, with a little extra for canning and freezing (or giving away).

Vegetables that may yield more than one crop per season are beans, beets, carrots, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, rutabagas, spinach and turnips. For the plan below, your rows should run north and south to take full advantage of the sun.

Make your garden 11 rows of 10 feet each of the following veggies:

Tomatoes — 5 plants staked
Zucchini squash — 4 plants
Peppers — 6 plants
Cabbage
Bush beans
Lettuce, leaf and/or Bibb
Beets
Carrots
Chard
Radish
Marigolds to discourage rabbits!

Leave 2 feet between bush beans, 1/2 foot between bush beans and lettuce, and 1 foot between all of the rest.

(Note: If this garden is too large for your needs, you do not have to plant all 11 rows, and you can also make the rows shorter. You can choose the veggies that you'd like to grow!)

If you're interested in planting potatoes, just remember that tomatoes and potatoes are not ideal companions and need "distance."

http://www.almanac.com/content/beginners-vegetable-garden