We are finally averaging mid-60s temps and our little plants were most definitely growing out of their starter trays, so last night we transported them to the vertical garden we made out of an old pallet.
We packed the soil in really loosely, about 2 inches from the top of the pallet, but added more soil around the plants once they went in.
The plants popped out of their trays really easily; I guess the hexagonal shape of the holes is good for easy transplanting. It also encouraged root growth really well - some of the roots were almost two feet long!
Naturally, we ran out of room and had to fashion another little plant-home out of a smaller wooden box. In here we are putting the chard and only the chard because it has perhaps had the most difficulties along the way (i.e. yellowing, papery leaves) and I think, given the long, curly nature of its leaves, it'll need more room to spread out than the other plants.
Ta-da! I don't know why, but I've grown particularly fond of these chard. Maybe due to their resilience in the face of adversity.
So here it all is, complete, and soaking up the remnants of the daylight. It was such a gorgeous night for doing this, and the transplanting itself was restful and invigorating all at once.
I hope they'll get enough light as, even though we live on the top floor, the deck has a roof, though I tend to think it may be good that they won't be baking in direct sunlight all day long, particularly mid-summer when it's stiflingly hot. Here's a view off the other side; very serene (although later that night I counted 41 police cars screeching in hot pursuit down our street. Ah well, the juxtaposition is kind of neat).
Stay tuned for more, as the arugula didn't make it outside quite yet. We'll probably start even more of those indoors because they grow so quickly and are so great for munching all day long in summer.
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