We are at 15 weeks before average last frost (May 25 for Calgary). The days are getting longer too. Today Feb 5th: 9.5 hours
Here's some data for planning seed starting in Calgary
Last week Feb: 12 weeks before last frost
Mid March: 10 weeks before last frost
Last week Mar: 8 weeks before last frost
Mid Apr: 5 weeks before last frost
Last week Apr: 4 weeks before last frost
Mother's Day: 2 weeks before last frost
#Daylight Hours:
Feb 21: 10hr 25 min
Mar 20: 12 hr (equinox)
Apr 21: 14hr 13min
May 21: 15hr 51min
Jun 21: 16hr 34min (longest day)
Full Moon:
Feb 25, Mar 27, Apr 25, May 25, Jun 23
Displays for Seed Starting Workshops
Seed/Space/
Soil
Breaking Dormancy
Care tips
I sowed some 10-Week Stock on Sunday and they are several sprouts today. Good news since the seed package had 2010 expire date. I love having early blooms in the greenhouse andStock is one of the most fragrant.
I'm working on 3 display boards for a few seed starting presentations Feb 1st week end. Iwill post pictures of the boards here
.
It's amazing what happens during the night hours. I find that is when the top growth happens.
The Sweet Peas that I pre-sprouted in a damp paper towel/plastic bag have popped up today. I had sown them quite deep about 1" in paper cups on Jan 11
Other new appearances:
Stipa Ponytail grass, sowed Jan 11. Bottom heat last 2 days
Dwarf Marine Heliotrope, sown Jan 11 with bottom heat
Foxglove -Digitalis Camelot Mix, sown Jan 11 with bottom heat
Lights set on timer for 16 hours per day
Jan 6 nicked and damp towel
in room temp 3qty sugar & spice sweet peas. Sprouted & sowed Jan 11.
Jan 6 sowed Outback Mix Pansies. Room temp for 3 days. Bottom heat 3 days. Then room temp 3 days. Germinated 90% Jan 15. Eight days to germinate. sowed one per cell
Jan 11 sowed Alyssum Carpet of Snow. Bottom heat. Germinated Jan 13. excellent Germ% with expiredseeds. May have to thin. 3 days to germinate
Others:
| Variety | Sow Date | Germ Date |
| German Statice | Jan 11 | Jan 14 heat |
| Sunworowii Statice | Jan 11 | Jan 15 heat |
| Coleus Seutellarioides | Jan 11 | Jan 15 heat |
| Thymophilla Shooting Star | Jan 11 | Jan 15 heat |
| Dianthus Raspberry Ripple | Jan 11 | Jan 16 heat |
| Pennisetum Purple Majesty | Jan 11 | Jan 15 |
| Sunflower Choco Sun | Jan 11 | Jan 14 heat |
| Hibiscus Red Shield | Jan 11 | Jan 15 heat |
| Dracocephalum Blue Dragon | Jan 11 | Jan 16 heat |
*Hope to get blooms on the Dwarf (10"-12" Height) Sunflower Choco Sun by April 12.
