First Planting In The Garden This Year….
With the weather slowly transitioning to Spring we decided to make use of the 55 degree temperatures (but windy!) this weekend and get the garden rolling out. In January we planted our Spring seeds and they have anxiously been waiting to move outside. The broccoli grew so tall inside that we couldn’t raise our grow lights anymore. Besides the sugar snap peas, carrots and radishes that will be planted directly into the soil, here’s the lineup of the Spring garden.
This year we planted many more broccoli plants then cauliflower. We use broccoli in so many more dishes and it freezes great so it seemed like the best choice to take advantage of the container space. We also have a ton of onions for Matthew to enjoy. We are going to be trying to grow collard greens for the first time this year and I’m hoping for success so I can make this recipe every single day.
The seedlings were moved outside a few days ago to slowly transition. We do this so they can harden off and not get shocked by the new weather they’re experiencing. For the first week we’ll throw fabric on top of the seedlings to protect then from the sun. Everyday they’ll be exposed to the sun a bit longer so by the time the week is over they will be able to hand it completely.
We spent all day Sunday sniffling on the roof refreshing the containers and putting new plastic on them. We also always water the wick of potting mix in the bottom of the container real good to prepare it. Once the containers are made, we move them to their locations and then start cutting holes in the plastic to transplant the plants. Here is a box of 16 broccoli plants.
This year we added a additional container for the broccoli and cauliflower so it’s up to 7. We plant 4 broccoli plants and 3 cauliflowers in each container. The plants don’t need that much space to grow big so we take advantage of every inch on the roof.
It’s really amazing to see how big the roots already are for the broccoli plants. As you can see they were ready to move into bigger containers.
To see the difference in plants here’s one broccoli in the back and 2 cauliflowers up front.
This little cauliflower plant will grow into a beautiful head. I say it all the time, but it’s magic to see.
Since it’s windy on the roof we enclose them in our PVC pipe structure and wrap fabric around them. Wind blocker fabric is one of the must haves if building a garden on the roof to protect the plants.
Besides the broccoli and cauliflower, we had enough time left in the day to plant our collard greens. This is the first year we’re growing them so I’m pretty excited.
There’s 6 of these plants so we did 3 per container.
After everything is planted we water the containers and they are set to go. Over the next few days they’ll transition to their new Spring home and then we’ll sit back and cheer them on.
We still have to plant the onions, kale and pak choi but we’ll be saving that for later this week.
Meet me back next week for Spring planting Part 2. I’ll have plenty of onion pictures for you. Check out how big these onions are already, can’t wait to separate them and get them in their box!
I want to learn GARDENING with you, Pam. Homegrown broccoli and cauliflower…I don’t think I dare to think about it..my garlic plants again don’t well this year.
So exciting. I love your garden and can’t wait to see the bounty from your rooftop. All that broccoli makes me so jealous.
Your garden updates are my favorite time of year! I am cheering on my baby seedlings right now and can’t wait until May so I can move them outside to their permanent home. I am going to try to grow acorn squash and cantaloup up a trellis this year. I am also finally giving black beans a try 🙂
I can’t wait to see your garden Jamie and I especially can’t wait to see how those black beans grow! This year we’ll be growing double (or more) the beans, they were so much fun last year.
Isn’t it wonderful to be digging in the dirt again! It’s absolutely amazing what you grow on your rooftop, Pamela! I just sowed some tomato and basil seeds so I was happy last weekend too 🙂
This is one of the ONLY things I like about the cold, following your summer gardening adventures. It’s brilliant. Your rooftop garden is soooooo cool! Can’t wait to enjoy delicious recipes along the way…. Even if it does mean waiting months, it’s worth it. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead lovely lady. 🙂
Your garden is just so cool. I just started thinking about what herbs I want to plant this year … decisions decisions! Especially since we don’t have much space!
What herbs are you thinking? Can’t wait to hear!
I just get a kick out of seeing your beautiful produce. So much love and so much fresh stuff. I could never ever grow a bud, you are awesome. Keep it coming.
I am always inspired by your gardening. I must make more of an effort this summer 🙂
I am really slacking this year and I have’t even started my garden. I am very jealous of yours. I am definitely growing broccoli this year.
Broccoli high 5’s Dannii!
Wonderfully inspiring post — I can just see that early spring light in these photos!
I can imagine all the bounty to come in your garden. I remember all the things you grew last year and it was really mind-boggling for me. Can’t wait to see the progress!
I can’t wait for spring!! 😀
I’m going to be following your gardening adventures all summer and I am so excited! Posts lots and lots of pictures!!
Love this! I have planted starters for more vegetables than I usually attempt, and was getting concerned by their appearance… hah. I think after reading this that they are coming along just fine and I need patience. Great post!
We’re late getting out plants out, but they’ll be there this weekend! Probably a good thing — we’ve been having torrential rain, so I’m not sure they would have survived that. Of course I guess we could cover them. 🙂 Anyway, always enjoy your garden posts — thanks.
[…] the garden ready for Spring, I set my sights on something that needed cleaning. No, not the windows, or floors or closet, […]
Wow Pamela…you are amazing…I just started with some seeds…and I am not taking advantage of the roof top…I look forward to see more of it.
Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
I love your garden posts and I’m so excited to see the good stuff you guys grow this year! You two are amazing!!!
[…] planted. We were able to get the onions, kale and pak choi planted a day after we planted the broccoli and friends. It feels nice to be back up on the roof everyday checking on the plants and watering the […]
I also am a big fan of your garden updates, dear Pamela! All is looking good, exciting & well!