It Is Time To Start Germinating!

But why? To begin with, it is less expensive. For the price of a 4-pack of annual plants, you can
have dozens or maybe even a hundred plants in colors you may not find at the garden center. In
addition, there are more varieties of seeds in catalogs and online than are available at the local
nursery. You may want to plant organic or heirloom, which are not always readily available as
plants.

There are a few things you should consider before you place your seed order. Do you have
lighting? It is fairly easy for seeds to sprout in a warm spot like the top of the refrigerator, but
after they germinate, they need a good light source. A window may work to start a small amount
of plants. If you want to start enough to plant a garden would probably require a florescent
lighting system which is easy and inexpensive to set up in the home.

Does your schedule allow you time to tend the tender seedlings? Seedlings require daily
monitoring for moisture. If they are in a window they will need to be turned frequently as plants
will naturally grow toward the light source.    

Do you have space? Once the seedlings start to crowd the starting container, they will need to
be transplanted into larger containers. This will require additional well lighted space.
Starting your garden from seeds is very rewarding and inexpensive. The University of Kentucky
Extension service has detailed information to help you get started. Publication HO-56, Starting
Plants from Seed at Home gives information on containers, germination medium, heat
requirements, lighting, moisture, transplanting, fertilization and more. Click here to download the
publication  Starting Plants From Seed At Home or pick it up the McCracken County Extension
Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah, KY.

Kimchee, Kimbap, Bibimbap?

Kimchee, Kimbap, Bibimbap?  What are these things?  Each is a traditional Korean dish. 

Expand your food horizons at a “Taste of Korea” at the Master Gardener’s TOOLBOX SERIES on Tuesday, February 3, at 5:00 p.m. at the McCracken County Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah.

 You may even decide to grow some Korean vegetables after sampling the TASTING MENU prepared by five local Korean women.  It’s all free and open to the public. 

Should You Keep A Garden Journal?

That depends; can you remember the name of that tomato everyone raved about last year? Can
you recall the date you planted the bumper crop of snow peas? Were the potatoes planted on
the east side two years ago or was it three?  When do the Japanese beetles usually arrive in
your area? How much rain have you gotten this week?

Sally Wilkins, McCracken County Master Gardeners, KY, 2014

All of this information is important for
successful vegetable crops and consistently beautiful flower gardens.You may have a super memory and have no need to make notes. Good for you!

For the rest of us keeping a journal is a reminder of what works in our garden and is helpful with disease management and pest control.

What information should you record depends on your passion (or lack of) for record keeping.
The most basic journal should include dates and amount of rainfall during the growing season,
the date fertilizer is applied along with a note as to the recommended frequency and details of
crop rotation. For some, it is keeping up with first and last freeze dates; when seeds were
planted and the date of first harvests; the names and variety of the plants with notes about the
outcome; notes about type and amount of soil amendments and more. The more details the
better chance of having a successful harvest and less problems with pests and disease.
Journals can be filled with scientific data or just a brief note on a calendar. It can be an art book
or a straight forward spiral notebook. Journals can also be kept on a computer which makes it
easy to add photos. And there are apps!

As the plans for your summer garden evolve, it is time to think about starting a garden journal.
There are many preprinted journals available for purchase as well as a lot of ideas on the
internet. Carla Albright, Tillamook County Oregon Master Gardener, gives details of her garden
journal on the Extension Master Gardener site.

Sally Wilkins, McCracken County Master Gardeners, KY, 2014

Toolbox: A Taste of South Korea

Kentucky has fewer than 4.5 million residents and spans nearly 41,000 square miles.  By comparison, the entire country of South Korea has a population of just under 51 million people, but less than 39,000 square miles.  It’s no wonder 60% of Koreans live in high-rise apartments, but where do they garden? 

 Find out at a “Taste of Korea” at the Master Gardener’s TOOLBOX SERIES on Tuesday, February 3, at 5:00 p.m. at the McCracken County Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah.  It’s free and open to the public.

Remember the Soil

As seed catalogs arrive, enthusiasm for planting a garden rises. As you pour over the catalogs, making a list for your 2015 garden, remember the importance of good soil. As the ground thaws over the next couple months, it is a good time to take a soil sample. The sample can be analyzed at the McCracken County Extension office, 2705 Olivet Church Road. The cost is $7.00 per sample. For detailed information on taking a sample, consult the University of Kentucky publication TakingSoil Test Samples.

Taste of Korea

If your knowledge of South Korea is limited to the 1970’s MASH sitcom, you’ll be surprised by how modern this country is today.  Get a “Taste of Korea” at the Master Gardener’s TOOLBOX SERIES on Tuesday, February 3, at 5:00 p.m. at the McCracken County Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah.  It’s free and open to the public.

Looking for Purchase Area Master Gardeners Association?

If you are searching for Purchase Area Master Gardeners Association, you have found us! We are now McCracken County Master Gardeners, same folks but a different name. We are in the process of making big changes; in addition to the name change and this new blog, we will be relocating our Demonstration and Trial Garden from its current location on Coleman Road to the site of the new University of Kentucky Extension Office soon to be built on New Holt Road.

Now that you have found us, we hope you will keep up with our events and educational opportunities by submitting your email address on the right. Your address will not be shared with any other organization.