TorresVault Documentation

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
garden:seed-starting

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Next revision		Previous revision
garden:seed-starting [2026/01/23 18:08] – created nathnagarden:seed-starting [2026/01/27 17:30] (current) – nathna
Line 1: Line 1:
-====== Garden: Seed-Starting (2026 Plan) ======+====== 🌱 Garden: Seed-Starting (2026 Plan) ======
  
-This page documents your full 2026 seed-starting and planting schedule for Sanford, NC (Zone 7b/8a), including all tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and all timing we planned.+This page documents the full **2026 seed-starting and planting schedule** for Sanford, NC   
 +(**Zone 7b/8a**), including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, beans, peas, squash,   
 +and timing for all stages.
  
-==== Overview ====+----
  
-Location: Sanford, NC — Zone 7b/8a +===== Overview =====
-Indoor Starts: Tomatoes & peppers +
-Direct Sown: Cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash +
-Main Beds:+
  
-Tomatoes → 2 beds (4×8 each)+  * **Location:** Sanford, NC — Zone 7b/8a   
 +  * **Indoor Starts:** Tomatoes, peppers, onions   
 +  * **Direct Sown:** Cucumbers, beans, peas, zucchini, yellow squash  
  
-Peppers → 1 bed (4×8)+**Main Beds / Areas** 
 +  * Tomatoes → *2 beds (4×8 each)* 
 +  * Peppers → *1 bed (4×8)* 
 +  * Onions → *1 dedicated 4×8 bed* 
 +  * Cucumbers → *Edges of 2 beds on ramp trellis* 
 +  * Beans → *Fence/trellis line* 
 +  * Peas → *Fence/trellis line (cool season)* 
 +  * Squash → *1 bed (4×8)*
  
-Cucumbers → Edges of 2 beds on ramp trellis+----
  
-Squash → 1 bed (4×8)+===== Week-by-Week Seed Starting Schedule =====
  
-==== Week-by-Week Seed Starting Schedule ==== +=== January 10–25 — Start Onions Indoors === 
-=== February 1–15 — Start Peppers Indoors ===+**Varieties** 
 +  * Red Creole (short-day red) 
 +  * Granex Yellow (Vidalia-type)
  
-Sweet Bells+**Seed Details** 
 +  * Start in cells or open tray   
 +  * Trim tops weekly to 4–5"   
 +  * Harden off early (onions tolerate cool temps)   
 +  * Transplant late February–mid March
  
-Jalafuego+---
  
-King Arthur+=== February 1–15 — Start Peppers Indoors === 
 +**Varieties** 
 +  * Sweet Bells   
 +  * Jalafuego   
 +  * King Arthur   
 +  * Red Knight   
 +  * Big Bertha (F1)   
 +  * Big Red (new variety from Seeds ’n Such)   
 +  * Sweet Banana  
  
-Red Knight+**Seed Details** 
 +  * Depth: ¼"   
 +  * Germination: 7–14 days   
 +  * Heat Mat: **Yes** (80–85°F)
  
-Big Bertha +---
- +
-Sweet Banana +
- +
-Seed Details +
- +
-Depth: ¼" +
- +
-Germination: 7–14 days +
- +
-Heat Mat: Yes (80–85°F)+
  
 === February 15 – March 1 — Start Tomatoes Indoors === === February 15 – March 1 — Start Tomatoes Indoors ===
 +**Varieties**
 +  * Tropic  
 +  * Amelia  
 +  * Mountain Rouge  
 +  * Mountain Merit  
 +  * Celebrity  
 +  * Roma VF  
 +  * Mountain Magic (fence-row)
 +  * Independence Day (extra-early)
 +  * Mortgage Lifter (large heirloom)
  
-Tomatoes (Indeterminate + Determinate mix) +**Seed Details** 
- +  * Depth: ¼"   
-Tropic +  * Germination: 5–10 days   
- +  * Heat Mat: Recommended (75–80°F)
-Amelia +
- +
-Mountain Rouge +
- +
-Mountain Merit +
- +
-Celebrity +
- +
-Roma VF +
- +
-Mountain Magic (fence-row) +
- +
-Seed Details +
- +
-Depth: ¼" +
- +
-Germination: 5–10 days+
  
-Heat Mat: Recommended (75–80°F)+---
  
 === March 10–20 — Potting Up (Indoors) === === March 10–20 — Potting Up (Indoors) ===
 +  * Move tomatoes & peppers to **4" pots**
 +  * Tomatoes → bury stems deep  
 +  * Peppers → **do NOT** bury stems deeper  
 +  * Onions → keep trimmed; slowly reduce indoor heat
  
-Pot tomatoes & peppers up into 4" pots+---
  
-Tomatoes: bury stems deep+=== February 20 – March 15 — Transplant Onions Outdoors === 
 +  * Space 4–6" apart   
 +  * Rows 12–18" apart   
 +  * Water deeply first 2 weeks   
 +  * Frost hardy
  
-Peppers: do not bury stems deeper+---
  
 === April 5–15 — Harden Off Tomatoes === === April 5–15 — Harden Off Tomatoes ===
 +  * Begin with 1–2 hours shade  
 +  * Slowly increase sun exposure  
 +  * Protect from wind and cold nights
  
-Start with 1–2 hours shade +---
- +
-Slowly increase sun exposure +
- +
-Protect from wind and cold nights+
  
 === April 10–20 — Harden Off Peppers === === April 10–20 — Harden Off Peppers ===
 +  * Same process as tomatoes  
 +  * Peppers take longer → heat-loving  
  
-Same process — slower because peppers are heat-sensitive+---
  
 === April 15–25 — Transplant Tomatoes Outdoors === === April 15–25 — Transplant Tomatoes Outdoors ===
 +  * Night temps must be **≥ 50°F**
 +  * Install trellises before planting  
 +  * Place early tomato (*Independence Day*) in sunny spot  
 +  * Place large heirloom (*Mortgage Lifter*) on strong support
  
-Requires night temps ≥ 50°F +---
- +
-Install trellises before planting+
  
 === April 25 – May 5 — Transplant Peppers Outdoors === === April 25 – May 5 — Transplant Peppers Outdoors ===
 +  * Night temps must be **≥ 55°F**
 +  * Stake immediately (bells get heavy)
  
-Requires night temps ≥ 55°F+---
  
-Install stakes immediately (bells get heavy)+=== February 10 – March 10 — Direct Sow Peas (Cool Season) === 
 +**Variety** 
 +  * Oregon Sugar Pod II
  
-=== April 20 – May 10 — Direct Sow Cucumbers (Round 1) ===+**Notes** 
 +  * Plant as soon as soil is workable   
 +  * Depth: 1"   
 +  * Perfect for your fence line   
 +  * Heat ends production → plant early
  
-Varieties:+---
  
-Diva+=== April 1 – May 15 — Direct Sow Pole Beans === 
 +**Variety** 
 +  * Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean
  
-County Fair Improved+**Notes** 
 +  * Depth: 1"   
 +  * Climb fence or trellis system   
 +  * Continue succession planting until July
  
-Depth: ½–¾" +---
-Location: Base of the ramp trellis+
  
-=== May 1–15 — Direct Sow Zucchini & Yellow Squash ===+=== April 20 – May 10 — Direct Sow Cucumbers (Round 1) === 
 +**Varieties** 
 +  * Diva   
 +  * County Fair Improved   
 +  * Long Green Improved (new variety)
  
-Varieties:+**Planting Notes** 
 +  * Depth: ½–¾"   
 +  * Location: Base of ramp trellis   
 +  * All three varieties climb well
  
-Dunja Zucchini+---
  
-Multipik Yellow Squash+=== May 1–15 — Direct Sow Zucchini & Yellow Squash === 
 +**Varieties** 
 +  * Dunja Zucchini   
 +  * Multipik Yellow Squash  
  
-Depth: 1" +**Planting Notes** 
-Spacing: 36–40" +  * Depth: 1"   
-Training: Vertical once 12–18" tall+  * Spacing: 36–40"   
 +  * Train vertically after 12–18" 
 + 
 +---
  
 === July 10–20 — Replant Cucumbers (Round 2) === === July 10–20 — Replant Cucumbers (Round 2) ===
 +**Varieties**
 +  * Replant Diva  
 +  * Replant County Fair Improved  
 +  * Optionally replant Long Green Improved  
  
-Varieties:+Extends cucumber harvest into fall.
  
-Replant Diva+----
  
-Replant County Fair Improved+===== Quick Timeline Overview =====
  
-Extends harvest into fall+^ Month ^ Tasks ^ 
 +| January | Start onions (10–25) | 
 +| February | Start peppers (1–15), sow peas (10–Mar 10), start tomatoes (15–Mar 1) | 
 +| March    | Pot up seedlings (10–20), transplant onions (to Mar 15) | 
 +| April    | Harden off (5–20), transplant tomatoes (15–25), sow beans (1–May 15), transplant peppers (25–May 5), sow cucumbers (20–May 10) | 
 +| May      | Sow zucchini & squash (1–15) | 
 +| July     | Replant cucumbers (10–20) |
  
-==== Quick Timeline Overview ==== +----
-Month Tasks +
-February Start peppers (1–15), start tomatoes (15–Mar 1) +
-March Pot up seedlings (10–20) +
-April Harden off (5–20), transplant tomatoes (15–25), transplant peppers (25–May 5), sow cucumbers (20–May 10) +
-May Direct sow zucchini & squash (1–15) +
-July Replant cucumbers (10–20) +
-==== Final 2026 Pepper List (4×8 Bed) ====+
  
-Total Plants: 12+===== Final 2026 Pepper List (4×8 Bed) =====
  
-Sweet Bells (10 plants total)+**Total Plants:** 12  
  
-2 × Red Knight (F1)+**Sweet Bells (10 total)** 
 +  * 2 × Red Knight (F1) 
 +  * 2 × King Arthur (F1) 
 +  * 2 × California Wonder 300 
 +  * 2 × Big Bertha (F1) 
 +  * 2 × Sweet Banana 
 +  * + Optional rotation: Big Red (bonus pepper)
  
-2 × King Arthur (F1) +**Jalapeños (2 total)** 
- +  * 2 × Jalafuego (F1)
-2 × California Wonder 300 +
- +
-2 × Big Bertha (F1) +
- +
-2 × Sweet Banana +
- +
-Jalapeños (2 plants total) +
- +
-2 × Jalafuego (F1)+
  
 Spacing Spacing
- +  * 18" between plants   
-18" between plants +  * 24" between rows  
- +
-24" between rows +
- +
-Bed fits 2 rows × 6 plants+
  
 Support Support
 +  * Stakes or cages  
 +  * Bells get heavy → support early  
  
-Stakes or cages+----
  
-Bells load up heavy, support early+===== Tomato Bed Layouts (Two 4×8 Beds) =====
  
-==== Tomato Bed Layouts (Two 4×8 Beds) ==== +=== BED A — Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System === 
-=== BED A (4×8) — Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System === +```text
- +
-Goal: Steady picking, best disease resistance, strong vertical growth. +
- +
-Recommended Layout (8 plants) +
- +
-Row of 4 (front) +
- +
-2 × Mountain Magic +
- +
-2 × Tropic +
- +
-Row of 4 (back) +
- +
-4 × Roma VF +
- +
-Even though Roma is technically determinate, it climbs fine with pruning. +
- +
-Spacing +
- +
-24" between plants +
- +
-18" between rows +
- +
-Full 8-ft trellis +
- +
-Trellis Setup +
- +
-One top bar across the long side of the bed +
- +
-One string per plant +
- +
-Weekly “figure-8” wrapping +
- +
-Remove suckers only from indeterminates (Tropic, Mountain Magic) +
- +
-Very light sucker removal on Roma +
- +
-=== BED B (4×8) — Determinate Slicers (NC Winners) === +
- +
-Goal: Big, reliable slicers with excellent disease resistance. +
- +
-Recommended Layout (8 plants) +
- +
-Row of 4 (front) +
- +
-2 × Mountain Fresh Plus +
- +
-2 × Amelia F1 +
- +
-Row of 4 (back) +
- +
-4 × Mountain Merit +
- +
-Spacing +
- +
-20–24" between plants +
- +
-18" between front/back rows +
- +
-Trellis Support for Determinates +
- +
-Grow 4–5 ft tall → use shorter strings +
- +
-Add 3–4 levels of horizontal twine as they bulk +
- +
-Must support plants — they load up with fruit fast +
- +
-==== Notes & Best Practices ==== +
- +
-Use fans indoors for strong stems +
- +
-Water seedlings from the bottom +
- +
-Mulch all outdoor beds heavily +
- +
-Stake peppers immediately +
- +
-Start trellising tomatoes & cucumbers early +
- +
-Keep frost cloth on hand for surprise cold snaps +
- +
-Plant basil in tomato beds and marigolds around all beds (your practice) +
- +
-==== 2026 Seed List (Complete) ==== +
-Tomatoes +
- +
-Tropic +
- +
-Amelia F1 +
- +
-Mountain Rouge +
- +
-Mountain Merit +
- +
-Celebrity +
- +
-Roma VF +
- +
-Mountain Magic +
- +
-Peppers +
- +
-Red Knight (F1) +
- +
-King Arthur (F1) +
- +
-Big Bertha (F1) +
- +
-California Wonder 300 +
- +
-Sweet Banana +
- +
-Jalafuego (F1) +
- +
-Cucumbers +
- +
-Diva +
- +
-County Fair Improved +
- +
-Squash +
- +
-Dunja Zucchini +
- +
-Multipik Yellow Squash +
- +
-====== Tomato Beds (4×8) — 2026 Layout ====== +
- +
-Below are ASCII diagrams that render perfectly in DokuWiki using <code> blocks. +
-They include front/back rows, spacing, and clearly labeled varieties. +
- +
-=== BED A — Indeterminate / Rope-Grown (Mountain Magic, Tropic, Roma VF) ===+
 ==================================================== ====================================================
  BED A — 4×8 — Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System  BED A — 4×8 — Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System
 ==================================================== ====================================================
  
-              ← North (Back Row)   +              ← North (Back Row)
  
    +------------------------- 8 ft -------------------------+    +------------------------- 8 ft -------------------------+
Line 324: Line 234:
    +---------------------------------------------------------+    +---------------------------------------------------------+
  
-Spacing: +Extra Options: 
-- 24" between plants (left → right) +   - Mortgage Lifter (heirloom) can replace 1 Roma or go in a container 
-- 18" between rows (front ↔ back)+   - Independence Day (early) can be added at an end position for fast yield
  
-Trellis: +Spacing 
-- Full-length 8 ft top bar +    24" between plants 
-- 1 string per plant (vertical) +    18" between rows 
-- Weekly figure-8 wrap + 
-- Light pruning for Roma; normal pruning for indeterminates+Trellis 
 +    Full-length 8 ft top bar 
 +    1 rope/string per plant 
 +    Weekly figure-8 wrap 
 +    Light pruning for Roma 
 +=== BED B — Determinate Slicers (NC Winners) ===
  
-=== BED B — Determinates (Mountain Fresh Plus, Amelia, Mountain Merit) === 
 ==================================================== ====================================================
  BED B — 4×8 — Determinate Slicers (NC Winners)  BED B — 4×8 — Determinate Slicers (NC Winners)
Line 353: Line 267:
    +---------------------------------------------------------+    +---------------------------------------------------------+
  
-Spacing: 
-- 20–24" between plants 
-- 18" between rows 
  
-Support: +Spacing 
-- 3–4 levels of horizontal twine   +20–24" between plants 
-- Shorter vertical strings   +18" between rows
-- Determinates get heavy → support early  +
  
-====== Pepper Bed (4×8) — 2026 Layout ====== +Support 
- +3–4 twine levels 
-Final pepper layout: 12 plants (2 rows × 6 plants). +Shorter vertical strings
- +
-==================================================== +
- PEPPER BED — 4×8 — Sweet Bells & Jalapeños (12 plants) +
-==================================================== +
- +
-              ← North (Back Row) +
- +
-   +------------------------- 8 ft -------------------------+ +
-   |                                                         | +
-   |  [Red Knight]   [Red Knight]   [King Arthur]           | +
-   |  [King Arthur]  [Big Bertha]   [Big Bertha]            | +
-   |                                                         | +
-   |---------------------------------------------------------| +
-   |                                                         | +
-   |  [Sweet Banana] [Sweet Banana] [Cal. Wonder 300]       | +
-   |  [Cal. Wonder]  [Jalafuego]     [Jalafuego]            | +
-   |                                                         | +
-   +---------------------------------------------------------+ +
- +
-Spacing: +
-- 18" between plants +
-- 24" between rows +
- +
-Notes: +
-- Stake all peppers immediately +
-- Sweet Banana & Big Bertha grow large → heavy support +
- +
-====== Squash Bed (4×8) — 2026 Layout ====== +
-==================================================== +
- ZUCCHINI & YELLOW SQUASH — 4×8 BED +
-==================================================== +
- +
-   +------------------------- 8 ft -------------------------+ +
-   |                                                         | +
-   |         [Dunja Zucchini]       [Dunja Zucchini]        | +
-   |                                                         | +
-   |---------------------------------------------------------| +
-   |                                                         | +
-   |    [Multipik Yellow]         [Multipik Yellow]         | +
-   |                                                         | +
-   +---------------------------------------------------------++
  
-Spacing: +===== Cucumber Trellis Layout (Bed Edges) =====
-- 36–40" between plants +
-Training: +
-- Vertical once 12–18" tall using rope/twine+
  
-====== Cucumber Trellis Layout (Bed Edges) ====== 
 ==================================================== ====================================================
  CUCUMBERS — Ramp Trellis (2 Bed Edges)  CUCUMBERS — Ramp Trellis (2 Bed Edges)
 ==================================================== ====================================================
  
- April 20 – May 10 (Round 1)+ Round 1 — April 20 – May 10
    - Diva × 2    - Diva × 2
    - County Fair Improved × 2    - County Fair Improved × 2
 +   - Long Green Improved × 1 (new)
  
- July 10 – 20 (Round 2)+ Round 2 — July 10 – 20
    - Replant Diva × 2    - Replant Diva × 2
    - Replant County Fair × 2    - Replant County Fair × 2
 +   - Optional: Long Green Improved × 1
  
-Planting Notes: +Notes 
-- Depth: ½–¾" +    Depth: ½–¾" 
-- Train up the ramp trellis immediately +    Train immediately up trellis 
-- Keep lower 8–10" of vines pruned for airflow+    Keep lower 8–10" pruned for airflow
garden/seed-starting.1769209738.txt.gz · Last modified: by nathna
Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki