I've got lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, beets and onions already up (sowed mid to late January). Tomato, pepper and eggplant will take their place once those flats get big enough to pot up and either move outside or into the greenhouse (I have a cool greenhouse). Even though most stuff germinates best at 70 degrees, I sow 6 to 8 flats of seeds down in my cool basement under lights (neighbors are convinced I'm growing something else) and I have no problems with germination. I think the humidity down there helps and maybe the constant temperature. I know it rarely ever gets up to 70 degrees, ever. Next month is when I have the "joy" of moving all those flats outside during the day and back inside on frosty nights.

John.
Beets? I have failed with them every year.., didn't realize one could start indoors. Can I ask what variety works for you down here?

My daughter starts the cabbages and broccoli at her place in January as well. I spend so much of my room and time on those darn peppers.

I've been told my house 'glows' at night with fluorescent lights! And was questioned ( unofficially) by authority a couple years back! Too funny. With all my experience with peppers. I'm just waiting for it to be ok for producing medicinal plants here in NC, ...to sell of coarse !

Lorabell - I've never had a problem with beets. I guess the only ones that did poorly were the striped inside ones. I think they're called 'Chiogga'. This year my main beet focus is on some non-GMO, organic Sugar Beet seed I bought last year. I have this fantasy about growing all the ingredients for a recipe and wanted to explore growing my own sugar. I already grow sugar cane but I don't have a way to mash it and it is too tough to chew or run through a processor.

If germination is a problem you can try to lightly crack the seed covering on your beet and chard seeds by rolling over them with a rolling pin. Just be careful not to smash them.

I love the orange or golden beets, harvested small and roasted whole. I also love pickled beets but rarely have the time to process them.

triangejohn--sugar cane juice extractor can be found at Indian stores. I have seen many sold in NJ. They are manual though.

Hi Guys,

I know this post has nothing to do with beets or vegetable, but I'm having a heck of a time trying to manuever this website. Please keep me posted as to when the plant swaps will be. What happen to just plain old GardenWeb?

Hi Judy. GardenWeb has merged with Houzz or it was sold to them. This happens every couple of years. I'm checking dates for the Spring Swap now and wondering if this winter is going to be nasty or mild... should I aim for late April or early May???

Regarding the plant swap this spring, are folks picky about knowing specific cultivars for ornamentals? I have some irises that could be divided and I was considering bring some of those, but I don't know the name of the variety? Same goes for a thornless blackberry I have.

I've tried to attend one of these swaps for the past 3 years and something always comes up. I swear this is the year.

ferroplasm - It all depends on what you are bringing to trade. A lot of the plants offered are only labeled with their common name - so don't worry about what you put on the tag (we are all just grateful that they even have a tag!). If you are conducting any sort of a "special trade" then you need to pay attention to cultivar names. So far I am having trouble with the parks reservation website, but it looks like May 2nd is available. I should know more today.

Just checking if I got in gardenweb correctly. I am actually "aaaaaaaa" --John we met at Logan's a week ago. My username might have changed, had navigation issues. I should be ok now though with new username!:)

I started broccoli a little late. Have a couple dozen 2 inch seedlings atm. My peppers are just not starting to pop up, they take forever to germinate(esp compared to the broccoli). I planted Charleston Bell, Jalo's, and a orange sweet pepper.

I'll start cucumbers and tomatoes probably over my spring break. The instructions say 4-8 weeks on those anyways.

I have a couple questions about this plant meet up, I will search the forum first because I presume the info is there. If you dont mind though, where does it typically take place? Sounds like a NC thing.

blake: trianglejohn actually handles the swaps and he will post when he knows when etc. There used to be a trading section that tended to handle more of the swap, but I don't follow it and don't know if it has been lost, but if nothing else, this will force John or someone to point out where it went.
all a's: you can change your name back by going to 'your houzz' and edit your first name. [edit; oops, I see that you have already done it]

just found a local swap in my county. Was about to update.

John,

Thanks for posting. I'll keep my eye out for the swap date. Definitely would like to come and share plants.

I'll do the big write up tomorrow but I know it is gonna be on May 2nd. Hopefully we will be thawed out by then.

I'm so glad to find my dear plant swappers.I was afraid you were gone forever.LOL.

I start Touchstone Gold beets from seed indoors. Unlike older varieties of Golden beets, these germinate really well. Their leaves are very similar to spinach and the roots are milder than red beets plus, they do not bleed when cut. I have all sorts of cool weather veggie seed started in my cool greenhouse just waiting until this crazy-cold weather abates. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuce and a mix of Asian greens.

I'll be starting my beets, lettuce, and turnips this weekend. My hot and bell peppers and tomatoes were started the first of the month and are doing great. Only failure is Caribbean Red Habanero hot peppers. Total seed failure from two different suppliers.

Richard

elsiefay! I'm glad you found us. I have only tried starting tomatoes this year.

I did not get a chance to start any seeds inside this year. When I do , I start, Luffa ( both angled and non angles) Opo squash ( Bottle gourd) , Okra, Indian beans, Scarlet runner beans in small containers with potting soil.

The Purple Malabar spinach reseeds and hence comes by itself. The rest, I just buy the transplants of Peppers, tomatoes and eggplants from the farmer's market around April/ May.

I directly sow seeds for Okra, Snake gourd, Cucumber, squashes, spinach, Fenugreek, Lettuce, and coriander, in the garden boxes.