Saved Heirloom Seeds

[monkeybird]

Last year I planted my first garden. My yield was so - so. I did however, save the seeds from the produce according to correct seed saving methods.

I saved my 2nd generation heirloom seeds and have just started them in a starter kit.

[IMG][/IMG]

I keep it covered with a plastic lid that's suppose to create a green house effect. I have them under grow lights 24 hours a day.

[IMG][/IMG]


I'll keep you all posted on how well my second generation seed do.

Anyone else using 2 or 3 generation seeds? it just seems important to me to master this as there won't be a seed store in the PAW.

[Benn Gleck]

Great pics Monkeybird!

We are getting ready to start some heirloom seed in a couple weeks.

I like your setup. Where did you get the grow lights?

[monkeybird]

I have a really small set up. I've seen some set ups on YouTube that make be want to hid mine.

I got my grow lights at Walmart. Lowes and Home Depot also carry them but they are expensive. Seems you have to get the right color wave length for growing plants.

I've been told I can't plant anything outside until the middle of March as their is ALWAYS one more frost. The weatherman says all the freezing temps are over for the year, but, I think I'll believe the old wives.

[monkeybird]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

4 full days after planting - and I have sprouts!! I'm so excited. I was really worried that since I'd saved them from last year's crop - they wouldn't work.

[qrprat77]

awesome! can't wait to see more. This looks like tomatos? what do you have?

[monkeybird]

awesome! can't wait to see more. This looks like tomatos? what do you have?

2 different breeds of heritage tomatoes and heritage squash. I also have some beans etc for when it's warmer.

Seem weatherman was right, we will have a cool down with low night temps for the next few days - after that, I can get busy on my garden.

Thinking of using some circular flower beds for vegetables. Let you know if I do.

[bountyhunter69]

wtg mb.keep us informed..i knew u had green thumb lol

[arcangel911]

MB- good thing you had that setup indoors yesterday. We got pounded over here in the Destin/FWB area with that horrible rain and tunderstorm for over 4 hours. What a mess of a storm that was, no telling what that would have done to your new seedlings.

[monkeybird]

MB- good thing you had that setup indoors yesterday. We got pounded over here in the Destin/FWB area with that horrible rain and tunderstorm for over 4 hours. What a mess of a storm that was, no telling what that would have done to your new seedlings.

\


We also had that storm. I literally beat the yellow flowers off my Carolina Jasmine.

I'll be transplanting them only when they're big enough to stand alone.

[qrprat77]

2 different breeds of heritage tomatoes and heritage squash. I also have some beans etc for when it's warmer.

Seem weatherman was right, we will have a cool down with low night temps for the next few days - after that, I can get busy on my garden.

Thinking of using some circular flower beds for vegetables. Let you know if I do.

awesome! can you give us an idea of how you decided to select the seeds you selected? were there certain traits on the plants/fruit you were looking for when you got everything together?

[monkeybird]

Well, one of the tomato seeds I used came from the 'UGLY TOMATO'. They are very well known in South Florida, and I understand that the plants and or seeds cannot be taken out of Florida. I read this on the web site for this strain of tomato. I loved the flavor of the ugly tomatos. The other I selected from a website called the Tasteful Garden. I like the large red ones.

The yellow squash was also from heirloom seeds and I had a good crop last year. They are also coming up from the seeds a saved.

[monkeybird]

Squash transplanted to bigger pots - ready for outside.



Blurry - was trying to get close enough to show the second set of leaves.



This is my raised bed - I put it together all by myself



View two. I have 2 more smaller one that are round to go.



This pile of garden soil was ordered to fill my beds. It was suppose to be put in the back yard next to the beds. The truck wouldn't fit under the electric lines. Why they deliver in such a big truck I'll never know. Guess they usually do big orders.

Anyway, I'm busy wheeling wheelbarrels full of soil from the side yard to the back yard. I'm sore in places I didn't know I had.

BTW - I mowed the grass for the first time EVER day before yesterday. I taught myself how to operate my John Deere - and got the job done. Don't tell me an old dog can't learn a new trick!

[Klayton]

Where did you get your raised bed kits? What was the cost? How much did they charge for the soil & delivery?

Thanks for the pics.

~Klayton

[monkeybird]

It's a Frame it All brand. I ordered it from Costco - they had a special last fall. I believe it was $99.00. Now, however, they are $199.00. I have no idea why. They are sold at several big box stores. I don't have the muscle or the skills to build one like some of the folks on the forum. Wish I did. I certainly wouldn't pay for it. The other beds I'll be putting up are 4 ft. circles. They came from Walmart and were $19.99. Today they are $24.99. Anyway, they won't last but a few years, but they're cheap and easy to put together.

The soil was $150.00 for 3 yards of amended garden soil. I can't use any of my own soil has too much salt because I live on tidal water.

[chancemft]

you can use soft white florestant bulbs also alot cheaper, keep the bulbs up about 2" and 18 hrs is about all the good they'll get, befor just waisting electric. Also some one asked how they knew what plants to save seed from? Plant the seeds you think you would like, if it does well were you live then it would would probably be a good plant to save seed from. Not all plants do well every where. Then just keep trying new varietys untill you find one that thrives in you area.