Market Farming

["Wiediger, Alison" <awiediger AT HART.k12.ky.us>]

Paul,
We deal with the warm soil germination problem most of the time in planting
our high tunnels.  We solve it by pre-sprouting the seed.  put the amount
you want to plant in a jar, fill with water and soak overnight.  Pour off
all water in the morning, cap the jar and put in the refrigerator.  You are
looking for wet seed, but no standing water in the jar (think sprouting
seeds for salads).  In the cool refrigerator temps, you'll see the first
break in the seed coat, and the first root tips in about 7 days.  At that
time, plant and water in.  We get wonderful germination rates, even in very
warm soil, this way.  But, you do have to seed by hand - the root tips are
fragile - and you can't let it dry out after planting.

Alison Wiediger, Au Naturel Farm

> ----------
> From:         Paul Bucciaglia[SMTP:pbucciaglia AT yahoo.com]
> Reply To:     Market Farming
> Sent:         Wednesday, January 05, 2005 11:44 AM
> To:   market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject:      [Market-farming] Spinach for sandy soil
> 
> <<File: ATT25885.txt>>
>  
> Hi,
>  
> Any reccomendtations out there for a spinach variety that reliably
> germinates in sandy soil?  I have had some dissapointing stands in the
> past because my soils heat up and dry out really quickly.  I am especially
> interested in varieties that reliably germinate in mid summer for fall
> harvest.
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> Paul
>  
>  
> 
> 
>        
> 
> 
> 
> Paul Bucciaglia
> Fort Hill Farm
> Organic Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
> 18 Fort Hill Rd.
> New Milford CT 06776
> (860) 350-3158
> www.forthillfarm.com
>