I would like to be able to continuously harvest plantings, but from what I have read drastic changes in planting dates result in only a small difference in harvest time. It seems like the most effective way to obtain a continual harvest is to plant many different varieties of the same crops that have different maturity times. Ideally, for small plantings each plant could be a different variety. The thing is, that is a huge waste of seeds if you buy them in packets, and is also a waste of money. Does anybody have any recommendations as to an efficient way to do this? If there were a seed-sharing co-op I would do that but I'm in a suburban neighborhood filled with mcmansions and soccer moms. Nobody else is interested. Are purchased seeds viable for many years? I could just buy a bunch and keep the seeds for next year so I'm not wasting 99% of them.
*waves to neighbor* welcome to the site!! where-abouts are you in pennsy? seeds stored properly can be viable for many years. proper storage consists of airtight containers kept in a dark and fairly temperate spot that doesn't fluctuate too much. some suggestions: a closet that's not opened often, a shelf in the basement if it's heated enough to keep temps at least around 50-55 and if it's NOT humid down there. personally, i keep them on a shelf behind the door to my basement - my basement is humid and sometimes gets too cold, so that's out for me. the landing to the basement is perfect though - the door is rarely moved and the shelf is behind the door, so even if the light is on for the stairs it wouldn't really affect anything (it's at the bottom of the stairs not the top, so the area behind the door is pretty dark even when the light is on). i store most seeds in old prescription containers or old baby food jars - i wash them and then sterilize them and let them dry completely before putting seeds in them. i keep the containers in a box. some seeds need to be kept in paper (some need a bit more air circulation than others) - i use old envelopes or pieces of paper folded over a few times to make pockets. always allow the seeds to dry completely (in a cool & dark spot) before putting them in a storage container. some things you can do successive plantings to increase the time you are getting yields. things like carrots, peas, beans, lettuce, spinach, corn, etc. other things it won't matter as they're tied to the weather conditions and not much you can do to change it - tomatoes for example. some things you can do at spring and fall and not in summer as they do better growing during cooler conditions - all the lettuces/spinaches fall into that category. you can manipulate things a bit by starting some things inside in early spring and then transplanting them out when conditions are good and then, a couple/three weeks later, throw down some seed right into the ground for successive harvests. i haven't done too much with vegy's or fruits, so i'm not much help with how to increase yields. i'm sure others will offer better/more effective advice than i have.
Seeds will stay viable for many years if stored properly. I keep mine in ziploc bags in the fridge. As they get a little older you may have to plant a few more seeds. This site give and indication of how long various seeds can be stored for: http://growingtaste.com/storage.shtml Succession plantings of many vegetables, like lettuce, works quite well. Some veggies like peas that like cooler weather so you can plant a spring and fall crop. Veseys Seeds: http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/?veseys=tkd049g1vdeve7cdnb64cjpdn3 has some what they call all season blends, they have these in at least broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. The packets contain seeds from a number of different varieties that mature at different times. I bought the cauliflower and broccoli ones this year and I am going to try them. I meant to get the cabbage too, but somehow I forgot to order it. :( Good luck with your garden!
If you're going to try something like corn on this system, get a few of the varieties bred especially for Northern Canada, and some of the varieties for the Southern US. This way you'll be getting one crop about 6 weeks before the other. Staggered plantings work better on things like lettuce, spinach, and other salad greens, and as was suggested by Jan, the brassicants are available from Vesey's as a season blend. Tomatoes can be staggered by purchasing some as bedding plants and starting some from seed just before you plant the bedders. Same goes for peppers and other things of that sort. The only thing you won't be able to stagger effectively are potatoes. Early and late in that case refer to sowing times, not bearing times.
Hi, thank you for all the information. I am in the Norristown area (Lower Providence, actually) which is northwest of Philly. I think I will try a combination of staggered planting and multiple varieties. I have plenty of good places to store seeds, but I was afraid that one year I'd end up with old seeds and nothing would germinate, wasting a whole spring. Maybe I can test a couple from each batch indoors in winter just to be sure. I'm about to head over to home depot to get some stakes and chicken wire to build a support fence for peas.
you're not too far from me. yes, starting the seeds inside ahead of time is good for two things: 1) you can redo if the seeds don't germinate and 2) you get ahead of things with the weather and will end up with earlier harvest than if you wait until the soil (and air) is warm enough.