The
black plastic sure did the job. My soil
warmed to just under 50 degrees a couple of days ago (March 23), so it was
planting time. Hardy cool-season vegetables need soil temperatures of at least
45 degrees. I used two different thermometers
(one was a gift) to check the soil. One
looks sort of like the old fashioned thermometer that my mom stuck under my
tongue for what seemed like an hour when I was ten years old. The other looks like a regular meat or
chicken thermometer they sell at Bed Bath and Beyond.
I gathered our favorite cool-season seeds from inside the house, along
with supplies from my tool shed- trowel, my trusty homemade inch by inch
measuring stick and watering can. Once my 50 spf hat was securely in place I
was completely ready. The photos show most of my planting steps and procedures.
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| Supplies on hand in box |
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| Homemade inch seed measuring stick |
I divided up this small raised bed in halves and quarters to accommodate
different seeds which will become evident as they sprout. The bed was
well watered after planting. I covered it late in the day with 4-mil
clear plastic over ½” electrical conduit tunnels to create tunnels. Metal brackets
inside the raised bed keep the conduit in place. If you aren’t using
raised beds, you can pound in re-bar posts and slip the conduit over the
re-bar. This system works great for beds up to about 4 feet across.
I knew the weather was going to turn cold the next day and wanted to
keep the seeds nice and frozen-free so they’ll germinate nicely. Normally I put
a floating row cover over the seeds to keep them moist on warm days, which I
still may do later in the week. Check back often for more photos and
updates if you wish.
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| 4-mil clear plastic over conduit |
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| Metal bracket positioned outside raised beds, can be placed inside beds too |
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| Folded the plastic back so the seeds can get some sun to germinate |
