my spring seed schedule: part two

(Click for Part One.)

You may wonder why tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are missing from my garden this year. Starting seeds indoors is a huge hassle as we don't have a proper setup. Plus, I get so many nightshades from the Muth Organic CSA, I decided to grow more vegetables the farm doesn't always offer such as peas, beans and root veggies. "What's a garden without tomatoes?!" you must be thinking. I know, I know...=)

may 22nd
one week after last spring frost

cucumber
weeks to maturity: 7 weeks
seed storage: 5-6 years
sow: when soil is warm, 1/2-1 inch deep, 2 per square foot, full sun. pre-soak seed 30 minutes for faster sprouting.
growing: regular moisture. keep leaves dry to discourage fungus. provide vertical support for vines. mulch in hot weather.
harvesting: carefully cut through the fruit stem from pickle-size to full grown.
companion planting: helped by nasturtiums, radishes, marigolds, sunflowers peas, beets, carrots, and dill; avoid tomato and sage.

nasturtium
seed to bloom: 6 weeks
sow: 1/2 inch deep, 4 per square, full sun but will withstand some shade. pre-soak seed 24 hours before planting.
growing: drought tolerant, but does best with ample moisture.
harvesting: leaves, flowers and seeds are edible! the leaves have a peppery flavor like watercress, and the flowers make a gorgeous garnish.
companion planting: radishes, cabbage family plants, cucurbits, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, beans. nasturtiums deter many garden pests. 

may 29th
two weeks after last spring frost

melon
maturity: 12 weeks
seed storage: 5 years
sow: when soil is warm, 1/2-1 inch deep, 1 per 2 square feet if trellising, full sun. pre-soak seed.
growing: moist soil.
harvesting: twist melon with one hand while holding stem with other. if it resists parting, it is not ripe. 

winter squash
maturity: 12 weeks
seed storage: 5 years
sow: when soil is warm, 1/2-1 inch deep, 1 per 2 per square feet if trellising, full sun. pre-soak seed 30 minutes for faster sprouting.
growing: keep soil moist. provide strong vertical support in square foot garden.
harvesting: after first light frost cut the squash from the vine and set out in sun to cure a few days. protect at night when frost is in the forecast.
companion planting: helped by radishes.

basil
maturity: 4-6 weeks
seed storage: 5 years
sow: when soil is warm, 1/4 inch deep, 1 or 4 per square foot, full sun.
growing: moist soil.
harvesting: pinch stem above leaf nodes before plant flowers.
for continuous harvest: plant every 3 weeks.
companion planting: traditionally grown with peppers and tomatoes.