What Did I Put In Those Poo Pots?

Just a few super-cold-hardy things, though they are not so hardy that seedlings would survive out there now, and even cold-hardy things need warmer temperatures for germination -- around about 70 degrees F is optimum for most vegetables.

I put only 3-5 of each of these things in the 50 poo pots, just to get started. It is still insanely early unless one has a heated greenhouse, but I had such good luck last year, starting April 1 in my cheap little coldframe, that I'm hoping to have a repeat performance this year. I'm also considering making a proper sturdy coldframe from an old window, hinges, and scrap lumber, and put it in a very sheltered place on the south side of our house -- the place where, for example, grass grows wayyyyy before any other place in our yard -- and just see what happens with these cold-hardy greens in it a bit later in the season -- what constitues super-early spring around here.

If it works, wowwwwww, it'll taste so good in my salads and my smoothies. If it doesn't, oh well. I haven't lost much.  

P.S.:  Wow, you little over-achievers, you! You get an A for commenting yesterday. Let's see if we can maintain the pace. Mwahahaha. 

P.P.S.: Lots of questions about washing the yarn off the cone. I'll talk about that tomorrow.

Comments

[KateMet]

I decided this is the year of ladies buying themselves (and each other) flowers and plants. At least once a month, I'm buying a pot of this, a bouquet of that. I've given a few away too. Loving having the green and growing, really loving not waiting for the husband to do it.

[bfmeyers@metrocast.net]

Norma, I often knit with coned yarn and have never washed it until after I finish. But I always wash and block my swatch, so I know how it will bloom. I prefer knitting with coned yarn as it almost NEVER needs to be spliced, and there are way fewer ends to weave in.

Barbara M.

[jill]

We're planning our garden but have yet to order the seeds. Were your potatoes in the bags were successful? I'm thinking that might be the first of my planting this year, and I'd like to free up some bed space with bags.

[Amy]

Okay...we have the garden....but no picture of yarn or Mr. J!

Edge of my seat wondering how the comments will add up for today! Okay, not really on the edge of my seat, but you understand what I mean.

[Jennifer]

I never thought I'd say this... but you've got me totally interested in buying poo pots. You had me at collard greens.

[Lynn]

Tempted to "garden-along" with you this year! -Lynn

[Dawn]

I am definitely not a gardner and have limited space so only plant pots/containers to place around. I may do some herbs this year... is there anything else that may grow well in a container?

[Betsy]

I was puttering out in the garden last week and was shocked to see a couple of lettuce plants that made it thru the winter and were starting to green up and grow again...never had that happen before...

[Cecilia]

I wish you would come to my house and garden. I really don't like to be outside in the summer so I am bad at the whole gardening thing.

[Martha]

I have thought about building a window cold frame myself. If you do it, buy a NEW cheap ($100) wooden window. The "old window you found at the dump" sounds so repurposey & romantic, but old windows are extremely likely to have traces (or more) of lead in both their paint and their putty. paint. Don't need THAT in your veggies!

[gayle]

We've got a large glass door we're going to turn into a cold frame, as soon as we stop arguing discussing where to put it...

[Carol]

I'm still thinking of investing in a Gardener's Supply stand and gro-lights. Spring can't come soon enough for fresh produce!

[Patty]

Hoping for a cold frame demo too!

[Lisa H.]

You're getting me interested in growing more vegetables this year. So far we've had great success growing green bell peppers, banana peppers, tomatoes, and basil. The fennel was a failure. This year I'd really like to try growing some broccoli and some cherry tomatoes.

[Lise]

I really enjoy reading about your gardening plans, and then seeing all the fruits of your labour. I hope to plant tomatoes this year - in a corner of our postage stamp backyard.

[Mary Lou]

We made some cold frames like that once. One day I forgot to lift the window in the morning and it got sunny and, well, you know the end of the story. KAMI

[Jennifer B. / Brooklyn]

Oh man, I've been getting into eating my leafy greens this year. Those collard greens caught my eye. Lucky duck!

[caryn]

Poo pots, hahaha

[Jess]

Because my only (horizontal) growing space is my deck, I'm sticking with flowers and herbs. Looking forward to getting fresh veg from the local farmers' markets!

[Becky]

My co-workers and I were talking about what we're going to plant this spring and complaining that we are SO OVER winter here in Michigan. Personally, I'll be planting fingerling potatoes and three kinds of tomatoes. Were Black Krim tomatoes the ones you said last year tasted so good? I hope so, 'cause that's one that I'm planting.

[Emily]

There was a post about making your own coldframe out of old windows on the design sponge blog the other day!

[Jenni]

I think this means I'm not too late to get my own garden going. Moving to Fargo has really messed with my sense of garden timing!

[margene]

Smith is meticulous in his labeling of pots and he's quite excited about building a cold frame. He's so ready for spring. I'm ready too as every corner of the house has grow lights and poo pots.

[Becky]

Well, I have been gardening for the past 2 years but not getting any produce thanks to the squash bugs. They eat EVERYTHING. Anybody got any solutions other than spraying poison? I really don't want to do that; I've resisted for 2 years, but it's pretty frustrating to grow for the bugs. Let them grown their own produce!

[Anne-Marie]

Thanks, I may start some of those things - except the cilantro - which I loathe - as soon as my light stand gets here. I ordered one that is bigger than the one at Gardeners Supply, like the one at Territorial which holds more, but cheaper. I told the husband that was what he is getting me for my April birthday. Take care, A-M

[Midj]

Day three, comment three... :-)

[Jennifer]

Wow! Even the crocuses aren't up yet, and you're thinking gardening already. Now *that* is advance planning. I'll have to search the archives to find your post about the cold frame.

[Elizabeth D]

OK, because I'm all in favor of getting your comment count way up there -- but just once a day. It's funny, after you type in the security code to prove you're not a spammer, it perkily asks you whether you want to post another comment. Could go on for hours!

[Adrienne]

I hope your poo pot plants take off for you! It just dawned on me that I've only got two or three weeks before I can get started with my container garden again... I haven't even ordered seeds yet!

[Marilyn]

Another day. Another comment.

[Jessica]

Commenting again to help the wars. :) I have to say I'm an apartment renter and can afford a few containers to hold herbs, but anything beyond that is is beyond my ability/budget.

But I LOVE reading about all your local foods ... and you've inspired me to enjoy a share from a CSA this summer. I can't wait to get some good ideas for recipes from you this summer!

[Rachel]

Hmmm,,, fresh salads from the garden, I can taste the crispiness! yummy :)

[Linda M]

Looking forward to "gardening-along-with-Norma" in the great white north. In the deep south the flowering trees are in full bloom and pollen season is threatening to be the worst in years. I should post some facebook pictures so people can see how pretty it is down here.

[susan]

Aiming for an A+ today.

[DebbieB]

You're going to need all those greens for your smoothies - you weren't drinking all that green stuff last year, and it's so much better FRESH. Perhaps you should plant more...

[Joannah]

As always, this time of year makes me wish I had a garden to plan for. I won't even have space for containers this year. So, it's all on you for all of us vicarious gardeners!

[imjustlori]

Glad to see your garden is getting started! I've had to give up my community plot, but still hope to have some radishes and tomatoes in my own yarn this year.

[BeckyinVT]

I HIGHLY suggest the cold frame window technique. I had lettuce in January this year, and mine isn't even in a sheltered location, just a full sun east-south-and-west exposure location.

Of course I haven't been out there since then, but it's been hiding snuggly under a thick blanket of snow. So I have high hopes for fresh spinach and lettuce by the middle of March!

[Lynn in VA]

Bulbs are coming up, and my cherry tree (an autumnalis, so it's supposed to bloom now) is starting to put on a show. Spring is on the way! Sadly the irrigation guys dropped the ball last fall so I can't plant until they get the new irrigation in. Well I could, but then there would be much wailing and gnashing of teeth when it all got ripped up again. The squirrels will be so disappointed if I don't get the tomatoes in on time.

[Jennifer]

Don't think we'll make it to 100 posts today, but I'm completely jealous of your veggies. This year might be the year I can plant a garden. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[laurie d]

Yes Yes, 100 is on the way. High five to the garden!!!

[Rhonda from Baddeck]

I'd like to try broccoli or brussels sprouts, and grow LOTS of marigolds for pest control. Have also been hankering to grow (sweet) potatoes above ground; it doesn't seem too hard.

[Jen B]

I'm dreaming about fresh spinach & broccoli today . . . as it's snowing. I may just have to try a cheap coldframe, because at the rate we're going I think my garden may still be covered by snow through May.

[Word Lily]

Oh, and: I've never had success with those peat (or whatever) pots; they always mold on me. So, I save my money (and my garden starts later).

[Word Lily]

Argh! Just realized I must have clicked away after hitting Post and before completing the blasted word verification on my first comment. It's gone into the ether. :(

I was saying something about being envious of your cold frame last year. We're hoping for a small garden this year, after moving during planting season last year.

[Stacy]

I'm going to try some gardening this year - and gotta be sure to save rose petals, wanna try the jam!

[Stephie]

You make me want to garden, a little...but wait...yep the feeling is over. I just enjoy your gardening!

[Vicki]

Are you there yet?
; )

[Leslie]

Thinking about a garden, huh? Well, down here to the south of you, I'm listening to the wet snow fall off the trees. Yesterday I looked at the mountains of snow and rivers of ice still to melt - everywhere. But, have you ever noticed how, in the spring, the snow melts in rings around the trees? It must be the sap rising and generating heat. Sort of neat but I'm not even thinking of the container garden yet. (I almost said pot garden but figured it would raise a flag!)

[Bonney]

I love all your leafy greens. I'm always drawn to the tomatoes and pumpkins but I'm going for some greens this year! I'm going to look for poo pots too.