Gardening with the phases of the moon – Part 2 My Journey
This is a follow up to my original post on gardening with the phases of the moon to read and find our more go here.
It was 7 days ago that I started on my journey of gardening with the phases of the moon. Â I tell more about the reasons why one would want to do this in Part 1 of this min series. Â In order for me to get a good feeling that this gardening method works well, I decided I had to write down all the details so that I could accurately track the progress, so I made a little journaling book and now I can use my notes to share with you all.
Day 1 – Aug 22, 2014
Select the seeds to be planted based on the guidelines notated in part 1 and created labels for each of them
Select the seeds to be planted based on the guidelines notated in part 1 and created labels for each of them
Day 2 – Aug 23, 2014
I soaked overnight all the seeds with an hard seed coat and removed a few from the freezer that needed to be cold stratified. Â I created labels so that I could easily identify which seeds germinated if/when they did.
Day 3Â (New Moon) -Â Aug 24, 2014
On the evening of the 24th I began planting the seeds, I used empty egg cartons for the most part. Â I covered them and checked on them the next day, providing a few sprays of water to each container because it is very hot and humid at this time of year here in FL.
A total of 80 different varieties were planted, 10 – 20 of each, unless they were really large seeds in which case I planted about 5-8 of them. Â I wasn’t sure of the success rate so I gave myself a 50% chance of non germination.
Day 5 -Â Aug 26, 2014
16 varieties of seeds have germinated already! Â Here are just a few of them.
Broccoli, Dolce Vita Basil, Collard Green, Kale (3 different type), Amaranth, Calabrese
Day 7 -Â Aug 27, 2014
More seeds germinated today, they are Rainbow Quinoa, Cabbage, Sweet Basil, Brussel sprouts, Sweet Potato pumpkin and oregano
Day 8 -Â Aug 28, 2014
Some of the seedlings were reaching for the sun, growing tall and lanky so I opted to transplant them at this time. Â Transplanting was done in the evening. Â Yes, you guessed it, more seeds germinated! Â Pickle cucumbers, leeks, lettuce, Red swiss chard, Strawberry lettuce, Strawberry spinach, Red Romaine
Day 10 -Â Aug 30, 2014
The germinating continues and so does transplanting. Â Wow I just can’t believe how many of them are germinating!!! I’m so excited about this experiment and I love putting into action and proving to myself concepts like this. Â Today the following germinated. Chives, Butterflay spinach, Cumin, Lemon mint, Cilantro and Leeks.
Day 12 -Â Sept 1, 2014
I’ve been transplanting so much I am not dreaming about seedlings and seeing them when I close my eyes LOL!  Today Sorosi or Bittermelon  germinated!!So far about half of the seed varieties that I planted have germinated, been transplanted and are growing well.  Some of them didn’t survive the transplant, as expected and some, well something is eating the first leaves 🙁 I don’t mind sharing but leave me a few guys!  I’ve kept all of these seedling in my Florida room or screened in porch but little frogs and lizards get in there sometimes so I just don’t know which is the culprit.
All in all this has been an amazing journey and the results have far exceeded my expectations. Â I have planted many of these seeds in the past without any success, so this is proof enough for me. Â The only seeds that haven’t germinated yet, that I expected would take a while are the hard coated seeds like Brown cotton, Soursop, and even my Shiso which I am REALLY hoping shows me so luv and germinates soon!
I will keep you all posted on how they do and when the rest germinate in my follow up blog post. Here are a few pics of my goodness!Questions, Comments, Tips??? Please comment below and share with me.Thanks for reading and as always INJOY!
