Two more self-watering containers were made and put out on the balcony garden. I started seeds in each of them.
After some discussion about if it was better to start seeds indoors or by direct sowing, I decided it was best to start the carrot and mesclun seeds by directly planting them into the containers.
When I started to plant the carrot seeds, I noticed that the package said, “Packaged for 2009.” It’s now mid 2010. I still planted the seeds and will see what happens.
The mesclun seeds were dated for 2010, so I’m not too concerned with them being ok to grow.
To plant the seeds, I used my finger nail and made some rows in the containers. Took some seeds, put them in the soil and spaced them out about 1/2 – 1″ apart.
I wasn’t about to get all crazy, picking individual seeds and measuring everything out to a tee. My goal is grow food. If it doesn’t grow perfectly, I’ll adjust along the way. This way I got seeds planted and am starting to grow food.
As for the rest of the garden, it’s been about two weeks since I first planted, and I am happy with the way that it’s coming along.
The two containers of kale have grown a noticeable amount, so have the purple kale and romaine lettuce. The oak green container doesn’t seem to have grown too much.
Now I have a total of seven self-watering containers on the balcony.
The next thing that I want to do is start some of the other seeds indoors, so when I make more containers I can transplant them.
As for the carrots seeds that were packaged in 2009, my Grandmother eats food with expiration dates from the 1990s. You think these seeds are gonna grow? What are your favorite seed stories?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrbQWnDdcpg
Going to Michigan State there was always talk of Dr. Beal, and his seed experiments. Which basically was keeping seeds for a long period of time, starting in 1879. Up to the year 2000 they were still able to germinate and grow seeds that he has left behind. The 120 year findings were published in 2002, basically finding that the seeds are still good, the last of the seeds will be planted in 2020. It's not a personal experience, but going to that school it was always talked about…
Going to Michigan State there was always talk of Dr. Beal, and his seed experiments. Which basically was keeping seeds for a long period of time, starting in 1879. Up to the year 2000 they were still able to germinate and grow seeds that he has left behind. The 120 year findings were published in 2002, basically finding that the seeds are still good, the last of the seeds will be planted in 2020. It's not a personal experience, but going to that school it was always talked about…
Thanks for the info. I'm expecting some carrots now.
I don't have quite as a dramatic story but I planted some pea seeds I had left over from last year-packaged 2009 and every one came up. The packaged date is just for sale purposes, retailers aren't supposed to sell seeds from the previous year, doesn't mean they won't grow. You will have carrots! Happy gardening!
That's what I was thinking. Put dates on stuff, so you have to buy more. Thanks.
I don't think you'll have any trouble – my mom stores seeds in her fridge and they always come up the next year. I have found carrots to be rather fickle, though, or perhaps just a favorite of the birds. Good luck!
Thanks. Still no sprouts from the carrot seeds yet.