SOWING SEEDS IN THE GREENHOUSE
Seeding for both radicchio and cabbage took place on June 22nd. Seeds were initially sown into ¾” plug trays. It is important to note that in radicchio, optimum germination results at soil temperatures of 60-68°F, so it is vital to keep soil temperatures cool. Therefore, the trays were placed near the door of the heated greenhouse to allow for more ventilation.
FIELD PREPARATION
On June 24th, Andrew and I began setting up the experiment by spading and squaring-off the assigned field at the Evergreen Organic Farm. We pulled mountains of bindweed, buttercup, and thistle. We measured out beds and paths for half of the field and harrowed the beds in preparation for planting buckwheat. In the afternoon, Dr. Sarah Williams joined us as we used an Earthway seeder to sow six varieties of buckwheat provided by the University of Washington: ‘Koto’, ‘Kitawase’, ‘Koma’, ‘Horizon’, ‘Mancan’, and ‘WSU Pop’.
Image by Sarah Dyer.
The remainder of the week was spent monitoring the field and greenhouse for germination, pulling the ever-encroaching bind weed, and planning for an evaluation of germination for all varieties planted.