We were able to setup the first garden frame this weekend and plant the five week old seedlings (lettuce, kale and arugula). Soil from a couple of the containers from last year were used to fill the frame and some of the overwintered plants were consolidated. The bowl in the middle is a slug trap.
We are still waiting for most of the seeds that were started last week to pop, but some of the lettuce came up the second day. The lettuce grew an inch before I could get to them so they went into a flat instead of seed blocks. Hoping to get the oldest seedlings planted outside this weekend.
The seedlings are now four weeks old and about ready to be planted outside. I left them outside today under a cover of ag cloth to protect them from direct sun. The stems coming out of the soil block seem a bit weak. I am hoping that with more air movement, they will toughen up. For the next batch, I will try setting up a gentle fan instead of just a twice a day stimulation and perhaps set the lights lower.
Today, I started basil, cabbage, and lettuce seeds in damp paper towel between two plates. Outside, the peas that were planted in the unprotected frame are just beginning to pop through the soil. The peas that were covered by a layer of plastic are 3-4" tall, though most have not sprouted. In the other containers, the kale and arugula from last year are looking very good and the choi bounced back as well, though it appears to be going to seed.
