Pics of my 2013 Gardening Season in NJ.

[Alfredo]

Thanks Ted and NarnianGarden

[Alfredo]

IMG_2300.jpg View of raised herb garden bed covered in snow.

IMG_2301.jpg View of raised garden bed covered in snow.

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IMG_2305.jpg View of raised garden bed covered in snow.

[LDx4]

Ohhh - thanks for sharing your snow Alfredo! So amazing (to this California girl) to see the difference between your summer and winter yards. Not that it's balmy by any means here. Lows are in the high 30s right now. But I will certainly enjoy your snowy yard from over here, especially since I don't have to shovel it or drive in it .

Lyn

[shelleybean]

Wow, Alfredo! That's a far cry from what you were showing us before! Everything in your garden looks like it's sleeping. Sleep well, Garden! Get ready for spring.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by LDx4

Ohhh - thanks for sharing your snow Alfredo! So amazing (to this California girl) to see the difference between your summer and winter yards. Not that it's balmy by any means here. Lows are in the high 30s right now. But I will certainly enjoy your snowy yard from over here, especially since I don't have to shovel it or drive in it .

Lyn

It's too balmy here! We are 8 degrees above normal, and rain nearly every day. We are supposed to cool off and it's supposed to be the dry season!
The snow looks pretty though.

Marsha

[Alfredo]

Yeah, it's not that much snow actually, maybe 4 inches if that...another snow storm is supposed to come by this Saturday for the the NorthEast. Haven't had to shovel yet.

We got four inches of solid ice last Friday. It finally started melting a little today. I drove into town today and couldn't believe how many metal buildings have simply collapsed under the weight of the ice. One large horse arena with bleachers had the entire metal roof totally collapsed to the ground. A lot of cars have been damaged from falling and flying ice. I hope we don't get any more ice storms this year.

Ted

[Alfredo]

Pic of the first "Anmore Dewdrop" tomato seedling sprouting. This is my first attempt at growing smaller tomato plants (specifically the varieties: Anmore Dewdrop and Mohamed) indoors overwinter. See how things pan out with the grow lights and heat mat.

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[Dutch]

Thanks for all the pictures you have posted Alfredo. Looking forward to seeing more great pictures from you in the new year.
Dutch

[nnjjohn]

Alfredo, I'm so greatful and can't wait to try them in my new 72 cell seedling tray kit complete with heatpad and 65 inch dome. What do you use for soil starter?

[Alfredo]

Originally Posted by nnjjohn

Alfredo, I'm so greatful and can't wait to try them in my new 72 cell seedling tray kit complete with heatpad and 65 inch dome. What do you use for soil starter?

Hey nnjjohn,
I've been using coir the past several years, and it works fine for me, and before that I would always use the organic seedstarting mix from Gardener's Supply Company.

[nnjjohn]

The reason I asked is because I had seeds fail using some stater potting soil I bought at home depot.. it was full of trigs but looked and felt soft enough.. forget what brand but it wasn't miracle grow. btw where do i find this stuff you recommend? hope all is well with all this crazy weather!

[Alfredo]

Originally Posted by nnjjohn

The reason I asked is because I had seeds fail using some stater potting soil I bought at home depot.. it was full of trigs but looked and felt soft enough.. forget what brand but it wasn't miracle grow. btw where do i find this stuff you recommend? hope all is well with all this crazy weather!

Ah ok, you definitely don't want to use regular potting soil to start seeds. The only ones I would reccomend using would be a seed starting mix (which is usually peat based), a germinating mix, or coir. You can find everything for seed starting at Gardener's Supply Company. Their website is www.gardeners.com

They have good and reliable service, never had any problems with them. I really like this fertilizer they sell that's specifically for seedlings & houseplants, it's called PHC (Plant Health Care), great stuff, my plants loved it.

[nnjjohn]

Originally Posted by Alfredo

Ah ok, you definitely don't want to use regular potting soil to start seeds. The only ones I would reccomend using would be a seed starting mix (which is usually peat based), a germinating mix, or coir. You can find everything for seed starting at Gardener's Supply Company. Their website is www.gardeners.com

They have good and reliable service, never had any problems with them. I really like this fertilizer they sell that's specifically for seedlings & houseplants, it's called PHC (Plant Health Care), great stuff, my plants loved it.

thanks Alfredo,I will certainly look into it,, good night

[nnjjohn]

I know it is too early to start seedlings but, was at HD today and bought an 8 qt bag of seed starter mix miracle grow for my trays. Suppose to fortified with all the essential minerals and fertilizers as well as a good ph for starting seeds.. I had no idea potting soil in the seed trays was a mistake until after witnessing poor germination results and the low percentage survival rate ( thin stems)of the last seasons seedings that did struggle to grow big enough for transplant. This time , I am prepared to follow specific instructions using the starter kits I purchased. I want to sample test these smaller dome trays /heat mat and little led grow bulbs and the food packet that came with the kit. I can seed some herbs and see how well the grow led bulbs work in advance of my tomato seeds which i will probably start in early-mid April.