Snap peas and onions

     A step backward for the weather.  We may get snow mid week, and see lows of 27 degrees.  So much for trying to push the garden forward this week.  My feet are still chilled from the visit to the park garden this morning.  I am running out of flats and room to keep new veggie starts, so something had to be done.  Looking at my current starts and the weather forecast, I figured peas and onions could most easily transition to the garden.

Onions from seed, 3-22-11

      I had started a flat of Walla Walla onion seed on 1/15/11, and a flat of Red Burgundy onions on 1/16/11.  The germination rates of both were disappointing, especially the Red Burgundy.  Both seed packets were for use in 2010, and that may have been a problem as I have since read that onion seed does not keep very well.  So maybe it would make sense on the next try to fork over for current seed rather than trying for the 1/2 off sales for prior year seed.  I would also think the seed could be planted in December, as a little more size to the seedlings would be great.  The flat of Walla Walla seedlings was transplanted this morning, with plants on about 4 inch centers.  The volunteer tatsoi in the picture went right into the new onion bed.

Walla Walla onion starts, 3-22-11

Bush snap peas, 3-22-11

     The plants above are Sugar Ann Snap Peas, my first attempt at bush snap peas.  The seeds, planted on February 23rd, were part of that free treasure trove of Heirloom Seeds mentioned in an earlier post.  They are planted where they can easily be trellised if they need help.  An internet article says the plants are quite spindly and can be planted closely together.  I love the pole variety of snap peas, and will be planting lots of those.

Sugar snaps, 3-22-11