{"id":496,"date":"2012-02-21T10:27:57","date_gmt":"2012-02-21T15:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=496"},"modified":"2014-09-03T22:18:12","modified_gmt":"2014-09-04T02:18:12","slug":"its-time-to-start-seeds-in-nj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=496","title":{"rendered":"It’s time to start seeds in NJ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starting seeds for the veggie garden means exactly one thing to me: \u00a0it is almost spring!!!<\/p>\n

Last year was the first time I had a vegetable garden. \u00a0We built two raised beds out of spare lumber and added organic compost. \u00a0The whole process made me feel like a little kid since I would race home from work to see what had grown since yesterday. \u00a0And then after all the work we got to eat stuff. \u00a0Not a bad deal.<\/p>\n

So for those not in the know, some veggies take a long time to grow and if you waited until it was warm out to plant seeds, they wouldn’t give you any veggies until November. So for some it is recommended to start seeds indoors to get a jump start. \u00a0I love this part for a few reasons:<\/p>\n

1. It’s something outdoorsy that you can still do in the warmth of your home in February<\/p>\n

2. It’s fun to watch the little sprouts come up and you will feel so proud of yourself.<\/p>\n

3. It’s a lot cheaper than buying already grown plants. \u00a0A packet of seeds can be less than $2 so if you kill them all you aren’t out much.<\/p>\n

There are a thousand ways to do this. \u00a0You will need seeds to plant, a pot to plant them in, soil to put in the pot \u00a0and some kind of tray & clear cover to keep the soil from drying out. \u00a0They sell all this stuff at home and garden centers or you can be creative and use what you’ve got.<\/p>\n

We start by choosing seeds. \u00a0They have a nice selection of organic seeds at my Lowe’s so I went there. \u00a0If you are starting out and not looking for something specific there is no need to be overwhelmed by looking at seed catalogs. \u00a0Here is what I chose and frankly it’s more than I needed but I was just so excited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Seeds!<\/p><\/div>\n

The first and second columns (from left) get started outside once the last chance of frost is over. \u00a0 The third column is herbs that can be started outside but I like to start them inside because I am impatient and want them as soon as possible. \u00a0The fourth column has the long growing season and gets started inside and transferred outside when it’s warm.<\/p>\n

Try to remember to be practical. \u00a0There are a lot of seeds in these little envelopes and you should not plant them all. \u00a0Plant a few of each to give you a better chance that you will end up with something to \u00a0plant. \u00a0Do not do what I did last year and start 10 -15 of each kind of seed. \u00a0It took so long to plant everything and I used a lot of soil. \u00a0In the end I only has space to plant two and it’s very sad to throw your hard work in the compost. \u00a0Also be mindful of the fact that you will have to have space for, nurture and weed these seeds all summer. \u00a0Don’t make your garden so big you dread having to do the work.<\/p>\n

So now that we have our seeds, the first thing we need to figure out is when to plant them. \u00a0The packet will have directions of what that particular seed needs to grow and will mention a “last frost date”. \u00a0This is an established date for the year in your area where there will be little chance of\u00a0temperatures going below freezing. \u00a0There are a million websites with maps that will tell you your ‘planting zone’. \u00a0I am a fan of The Farmer’s Almanac where you can enter your zip code and it will give you specific info that is easier for beginners.<\/p>\n

Here is mine: \u00a0http:\/\/www.almanac.com\/gardening\/planting-dates\/NJ\/Belford<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As you can see it says that I should start my tomato and pepper seeds from Feb 15-29. \u00a0So last Friday, the 17th I planted my seeds. \u00a0I will detail all of that tomorrow. \u00a0Stay tuned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Starting seeds for the veggie garden means exactly one thing to me: \u00a0it is almost spring!!! Last year was the first time I had a vegetable garden. \u00a0We built two raised beds out of spare lumber and added organic compost.…
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":497,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[19,20],"tags":[73,72],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/ridiculous-redhead-ss-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1J4KT-80","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2776,"url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=2776","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":0},"title":"Plant Now for Fall","date":"August 8, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Fall planting time is now!! \u00a0If you didn't get around to spring planting there is still time to grow delicious food this year. \u00a0If you had big plans for a big garden that didn't quite get finished, get some pots, organic potting soil and some seeds. \u00a0You can do this!\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Garden"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Ridiculous-Redhead-Fall-Planting-Pin.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2237,"url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=2237","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":1},"title":"Early September Garden Update","date":"September 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"We are in a really weird place as far as the garden is concerned. \u00a0After Labor Day, the entire world posts on Facebook that summer is over so your brain starts thinking it's fall. \u00a0But in real life summer isn't over for weeks. \u00a0And it was 90 something degrees on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Garden"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ridiculous-Redhead-asparagus-8.27.14.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2404,"url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=2404","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":2},"title":"It’s seed planting time again!","date":"February 6, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The holidays are over. \u00a0It's been snowing every other day for weeks. \u00a0The walls are starting to close in. \u00a0Summer seems so far away. But spring is not so very far away. February is one of my favorite times of the year. \u00a0After the fall clean up and the holidays,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Garden"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Veggie-Seeds-Ridiculous-Redhead-2015.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2717,"url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=2717","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":3},"title":"What we are planting this year – 2016","date":"March 17, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2016 growing season is here!!! I hope you read all about the Ridiculous Garden Club and the Facebook group that goes with it and have decided to join. \u00a0I hope everyone is asking questions and sharing info to make this year the best growing season yet. I am so\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Garden"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Ridiculous-Redhead-seeds-herbs-2016.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1084,"url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=1084","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":4},"title":"Seeds!","date":"February 22, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"What is the best thing about February? \u00a0Noooo it's not the cheap chocolate or the expensive dinners. It is time to start some seeds for the garden!!! Seed starting is such a time of hope. February is where we turn the corner and start to feel like we are heading\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Garden"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Ridiculous-Redhead-new-seeds-2013.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":500,"url":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/?p=500","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":5},"title":"Planting your seeds","date":"February 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Ok we are on a roll! \u00a0We have seeds! \u00a0We have pots! \u00a0(No, not pot mom, pots) \u00a0Now we are ready to plant these little babies. To start, get a big bowl or bucket and put some soil in and add a bit of water, just so it's damp. \u00a0It's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Garden"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ridiculousredhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/ridiculous-redhead-ss-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=496"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2198,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496\/revisions\/2198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ridiculousredhead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}