The Safe Seed Pledge: "Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, to genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems, and ultimately to healthy people and communities." -Seeds of Change (from the Council for Responsible Genetics, www.gene-watch.org )

Our potatoes, onions, strawberries, and some flowers came from Dillards (local feed store). There were a few specialty items we ordered from the Chocolate Flower Farm. The annuals will come from other misc. local nurseries.

Here what we decided to grow-

Tomatoes- San Marzano (paste tomato), Arkansas Traveler, Hessaloniki 

Watermelon- Crimson Sweet, Sugar Baby

Corn- Sweet True Corn, Dakota Black Popper

Cucumber-Satusuki Madori

Sunflowers- Russian Mammoth, Chocolate Sunflower, Miriam Edible

Flowers- Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata), Chocolate Nasturtium, Yellow Lavender, Marigolds

Gourds- bird house

Pumpkin- Small Sugar, Howden

Carrots- Japanese Imperial Long, Red Core Chantenay, Yaya F1

Onion- Yukon

Sweet Potato- Beauregard

 Here is the planned garden layout-

January-

Here is the garden area-

February-

We planted the Chocolate Daisies and Nasturtiums. We used the pelleted seeding trays (from Walmart) and a heated seed starter pad to get them going.

2/23/10
The seeds sprouted within a few days. Much faster than last year. I think the heating mat really helped. They have grow lights on for 14 hours a day. I am keeping the lights real close to the sprouts so that they won't develop weak stems.





March 3, 2010
We replanted the Nasturtium because they had grown so much they were touching the lights.





We also planted the tomato seeds today. They are supposed to sprout between 6-10 but I think it will be faster because of the heating pad. We need to fill the raised beds up with dirt so we can start planting outside. I have potatoes, onions, and strawberries waiting....

March 7, 2010
Ken (tractor guy) came yesterday- wu-hu! We dug over 20 holes for all my orchard plants, as well as two for the cattle training posts. The ground was pretty tough. He also filled my raised beds with sand from the back pasture. I got the dirt evened out and planted the onions, potatoes and strawberries. It is raining today and more rain is expected tomorrow. Hopefully my holes won't wash out. I am ordering my orchard plants tomorrow and expect to plant next weekend. My tomato plants have started sprouting and my chocolate flowers are getting bigger too. We are making progress! :)













March 23, 2010

Tomatoes are taking off. I will start hardening them off this week. Other seedlings will go in this week. Still need to put the fence up.