North Gower United Church Plant Sale is now open!
Thank you for supporting the local community-building activities of the North Gower United Church.
ORDERING - We will update the inventory numbers on Monday, May 6th at 9:00 AM so that you can place your order.
Use the arrows to scroll right and left through the products. To build your order, click on the item and select the quantity desired.
To finish your order, click on "View Cart" or the shopping cart at the top of the page to see your order, click checkout, verify your order details, enter customer details, select delivery method (local delivery for $3.00 or free pick-up), continue to payment details, continue to review and place order.
PAYMENT
No cash please.
To pay for your order:
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e-transfer - using on-line banking include your name and order number in the notes and send payment to NGUCtreasurer@gmail.com
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cheques should be payable to North Gower United Church - pay on pick-up or delivery.
DELIVERY / FREE PICK-UP STARTS MAY 11th
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free pick-up starts May 11th
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local delivery (within 8 km or North Gower) - cost is $5.00
We will contact you to arrange contactless pick-up and delivery times.
ROUND UP YOUR PAYMENT and make a donation!
Make an additional small donation to the community efforts of NGUC by rounding up your payment to the nearest dollar (or more).
Tomatoes
Vegetables
Annual Flowers
Herbs
Perennial Flowers & Plants
Marilyn's Planting Tip#1
Planting seeds and Light
Your containers are filled with soil and you have moistened the soil with warm drinking water. You open the seed packet to discover seeds that are so small you can't pick them up! What to do? Well I have found that folding a small piece of note paper helps. Gently shake some seeds into the crease formed by the folded paper. Then using a knife with a narrow edge, like a paring knife, gently push individual seeds onto the soil.
Check your seed packet for planting instructions. Some seeds need light to germinate, others need to be covered with soil. If your seeds need light, leave them on top of the soil. If they need to covered, take a small amount of soil into your hands and slowly drizzle a thin covering over the seeds. Don't try to push the seed under the soil with your finger or knife. That is difficult and you could injure the seed.
Now put a clear lid on your container to make it into a mini greenhouse or cover the container loosely with clear plastic wrap. Place the container in indirect natural light, not near a window. When you see little sprouts, prop open the greenhouse lid to let oxygen in for the tiny leaves. When all seeds have sprouted you will remove the cover completely and move the container to the appropriate amount of window light.
More on that and watering, next week. Questions? Call 489-5202 or email marilyn@daisyfields.ca. Happy planting!
Marilyn's Planting Tip#2
Watering and Light
Once all or most of your seeds have sprouted, it's time to remove the mini greenhouse lid or plastic wrap and move the container into direct light. Consult your seed packet for the light your plant needs. If the instructions are vague, go to www.seedaholics.com. This is a great website. Look up your plant and find very detailed growing instructions.
Generally, if your plant needs full sun, place it on a table, chair, stool etc., near south facing windows. Part sun, west and shade, north or east windows.
Once uncovered, your seedlings will dry out faster. Check them daily. I use a watering can with a very narrow opening so only a gentle stream of water comes out. Other people use misters or spray bottles. Always test the flow of a spray bottle first. Hard spray can damage the fragile seedlings. Think how heavy rain damages plants. You can make a gentle flow watering bottle by checking your blue box for containers with a tiny hole like mustard or shampoo. Just make sure to wash the containers thoroughly so any residue doesn't harm the seedlings. Now watch those baby plants grow!
Questions? Call 489-5202 or email marilyn@daisyfields.ca. Happy planting!
Marilyn's Planting Tip#3
Separating, Transplanting and Resources
If you have planted your seedlings in small containers at some point you will need to transplant them into a larger container to allow more space for the roots. Any container can be used. Check your blue box! Coffee cups are perfect.
If two seedlings are growing close together they will need to be separated. I try to gently pull each seedling apart or use a knife. If the two seedlings are so close that they almost touch each other's stem it is best to pinch one off. Otherwise you may end up not getting enough roots for either plant.
Transplanting tomatoes is different. Tomatoes can grow roots out of their stems. When transplanting a tomato, choose a deep container. Place the seedling at the bottom and cover the stem and even some of the bottom leaves with soil. This will produce plants that are bushy and have strong, sturdy stems. I transplant my tomatoes twice into progressively deeper containers each time. If you don't transplant tomatoes they will grow tall, leggy, with a thin stem that is not strong enough to hold the weight of the fruit (your tomatoes!).
Resources I've found useful: www.seedaholic.com This has detailed instructions on planting seeds.
Facebook groups to join or check out:
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How does your garden grow, This group is managed by a very knowledgeable North Gower lady who is a firm believer in organic gardening and using reusable containers in gardening.
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Edible Ottawa Gardens Group, This group contains both experienced and novice gardeners. You can ask questions about vegetables, fruit trees and bushes and receive a wealth of answers and encouragement.
I hope you have found some of these tips interesting. Happy planting!
Questions? Call 489-5202 or email marilyn@daisyfields.ca. Happy planting!