Seedlings and sproutings

Even though spring had arrived to Tokyo since last month, it was still a little cold. But not any more, May has brought us warmer temperatures, which are great for having the seeds sprout. Over the past week almost all of the seeds and bulbs I had on the ground started coming out. It is great seeing the garden growing like that, I can't wait to see them all developed.

All the seeds just sprouted!

The first seeds to take off were the komatsuna and the bekana. Those are some of the strongest greens I know, they always sprout very fast and easy. I even have to take care or they overrun the lettuces completely when I put them on the same planter.

On the veggie planters all of the companion plants are out and growing. I sowed some basil and zempazuchitl to go along with the tomatoes and to go along the greens, I planted some beans. They all seem to be doing well, specially the flowers, which already are on their second set of leaves.

This basil was given to me by Diana

Also, the seeds I got from Diana from Kebun Malay-Kadazan girls are sprouting. I put all of the flowers on one same pot, so I am not sure which ones are what, but I am sure they will all grow nicely.

To add to my bulbs basket I got a very nice dahlia, which I plant right between the tulips. It just came out of the ground at the same time the tulips started to dry off and fade. Also, getting ready for the bulb basket, my calla lily bulbs are growing very well too. Hopefully they will put a nice show, just like last year. I even got some new bulbs on different colors, but they are leftovers and are very small, so I am not sure if they will flower yet.

The second batch of calla lily

The latest to pop out were the pumpkins seeds I collected last Halloween. I was a bit worried because they took too long, so I sowed all of my seeds, now there are so many seedlings, definitely much more than I can grow.

I am still waiting for a couple of chilies, but I trust they will sprout soon. I even have some backup plants that I am not sure I can keep if they all grow successfully.

No idea if these beans will fruit

My only concern now is if the beans and the pumpkins will be able to give fruit. I got all of those seeds by collecting them, and I have no idea if they are hybrids or not. I guess I don’t have a choice but to wait and see.

Also, while we are on the topic of seeds, I wanted to do a giveaway this spring, but now is a bit late in the sowing season. I think, maybe I can still get some seeds in time to those living close. So, anybody living close to Tokyo, please send me an email or a twit.

For those of you who live abroad, I will make a proper giveaway later, just need to sort a couple things around.

The zempazuchitl seedlings are out

I don't have a big quantity, but I do have a good selection of "very hard to find in Japan" seeds. Here is what I have available:

• Chile ancho
  
• Chile pasilla
  
• Chile chipotle
  
• Chile guajillo
  
• Chile poblano
  
• Zempazuchitl (mexican marigold)
  
• Mexican mixed varieties cactus

And I also have a lot of extra thyme seeds and pumpkin seedlings

If you want to start your garden, or expand your existing one feel free to ask

Please help japan with a donation or good thoughts.

My best hope for those in Japan. You can help donate here.

Amazon
Google Checkout
Donation For Japan Earthquake 11th March 2011
American Red Cross
International Medical Corps
AmeriCares
Donate with Paypal
causes.com

My herbs

Herbs are easy to grow in little gardens. They usually thrive in containers, and most are very resistant to everything.

My mints were the first herb I got for my garden, but after seeing how they could grow so easy I decided to get some more.

My Cilantro (Coriander/Chinese parsley)

my first batch of Coriander

I had to get this plant because I missed that flavor. For me "cilantro" is one of the basic herbs for cooking, also I know it is native of Asia so I was very surprised when I got to japan and I couldn’t find it anywhere. I went to many supermarkets and food stores but it was nowhere to be found. I only saw it once in Nihonbashi, but when I went back to buy it they didn't have it anymore.

Getting a bit frustrated because I couldn’t buy it fresh I decided to grow It myself. I looked around internet and research about how to grow coriander. It was winter so I had to wait, but the idea was on my mind already.

Next spring, after I moved and I discovered the garden center I got some seeds there, I sow them and waited for some tasty leafs. The plants were growing fine, but then I went on vacation and they suffer quite a bit. When I came back they didn't look good, I water them thoroughly and when the leafs got fresh I harvest them all. They were really tasty.

After that I have sowed some more, I hope they are still on season.

My sweet basil

My sweet basil is growing well

After my success growing mint and my semi success growing cilantro I wanted to get some more herbs. Last month on a trip to the garden center I saw that they had sweet basil for sale, so one more plant for my little garden. I did some research about how to grow basil and set it up.

Now it is growing very happily where the marigold used to be, it is growing quite fine and I already used it for my cooking twice.

I do want to have more herbs, but I am worried I will run out of space, my little garden is really a very little garden. Well maybe one little lavender, it can't hurt that much.

My plants

Here is a small ever-changing list of the plants on my garden.
I will try to update this page accordingly to my current garden status. All my plants are now on the "my garden" page

 

• Mint: One apple mint and one peppermint
• Beans: No idea what kind I just try to sow some I didn’t eat
• Grape: It's a Pione, I just got it this month 
• Cilantro: Now on the second sow, I hope they are still on season
• Basil: Sweet basil, I want to try to cook with it
• Japanese maple tree (紅葉): The pot actually has four different kinds I'm waiting for autumn to see which one I keep
• Kalanchoe: Pink, donated by a shop
• Strawberry (苺): In memory of my grandfather 
• Tomato: On the end of season
• Pepper: Rescued form a garden shop trash
• Torenia: White, so many flowers
• Blue Salvia: Beautiful purple flowers
• Zantedeschia: My first plant in japan
• Rose: A little yellow mini rose
• Geranium: White and red for my mom
• Globe amaranth*: For the butterflies  

 

All of my plants have been an adventure on its own, some have worked some have not. Also besides from this I hope to acquire some tulips and maybe some other plants along the road.

*Updated 27 Aug 2010: A brand new globe amaranth