Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Do you find long legs sexy?

Yes, I will have to admit I do find long legs sexy. As the result of having a partner who loves cycling I have participated in numerous discussions about the difference in female vs male physiology, while she frustratingly searched for the perfect bike. Apparently you see, woman have a longer leg to torso ratio than men. This explains why even though Melanie and I are the same height I can barely reach the peddles when I ride her bike. And now I understand why I and other men find long legs attractive. It's simply Ug! long legs, woman. And remember ladies it's not the length that counts, but the ratio.

Oh sorry forgot, this is a blog about gardening. Legs will do that to me. So check these legs out... Whoot Whoo!

Beetroot
Broccoli
Bok Choi

So are long legs sexy on plants? Well they don't look as good and I get the impression they don't perform well as vegetables. My understanding is that a plant goes leggy (as it is called) when its been getting less than ample light. As a result it attempts to source more by growing taller.

So what would be the result if I planted my leggy seedlings? Or should I just feed them to the chickens and start again?

So why did we end up with leggy seedlings in the first place? Well prior to now we sowed seeds straight into the ground or purchased established seedlings. Sowing seeds directly was easy because we had bare soil. But now after everything I have read and heard we will now maintain a heavy layer of mulch at all times. As I can't imagine sowing seeds directly in to these new beds being to successful we have started raising them first in pots.

So back to why our seedlings are leggy... Being our first real attempt at it we did not have a suitable seedling location organised and simply put them on the BBQ under the veranda. Clearly there was not enough light.

On Sunday we spent an hour, if not two, just trying to work out on what and where we should raise them. No single spot seemed perfect for both summer and winter thus we finally decided to experiment with a temporary portable solution.


Using a wooden Kitchen bench, nothing but the best for our seedlings, located at the edge of the pergola under a grape vine we hope this provides adequate light while keeping them cool. Time will tell.

I am very interested in what other solutions people have come up with. And do you find long legs sexy, or better still do you have long legs?

12 comments:

  1. No - I have very short legs and I don't wish to discuss it any further. :-)

    I find that leggy seedlings are ok as long as you plant them very deeply when you plant them out. I often repot mine a bit deeper first and then plant them out when they are big enough.

    I'd put wheels on the kitchen bench and then you could move it more easily.

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  2. Oh thats great news. I'm very please that I don't have to start again, as I've discovered this size garden is going to need alot of seedlings raised. We'll get onto re-potting them asap. The wheels what a fab idea, one mobile seed raising station coming up.

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  3. Hi Jason, thanks for visiting my blog. My seedlings are leggy too, but I have planted some of them out and they have filled out nicely. Where are you...roughly. Your blog sounds Australian.

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  4. Sure is mate. Me and the sheila live down south in Adelaide. ;)

    Once again great news about the leggy seedlings.

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  5. Bev aka foodnstuffMarch 23, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Hi Jason,

    I have a problem with legs too (on seedlings, that is). I do what greenfumb does....plant them lower when transplanting into their first pots, then plant low again when putting into the ground.

    It's especially good to plant tomatoes deep because new roots will grow all up the buried stem.

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  6. We always end up with a few leggy plants and after they are planted and grow for a few weeks you would never know the difference. I love that you are working towards growing a large portion of your own food and look forward to reading more about it.:)

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  7. Hi Jason,all leggy seedlings as above!Repot tomato seedlings up to the bottom set of leaves each time you pot them on, same with all brassicas.
    If you are in OZ are yu going into Fall/winter now?have you read Scarecrow's blog from Australia, there is a link from my sidebar if you have not.

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  8. Yes it is autumn here in oz, Peggy, raining at the moment so it feels like winter. I have read Scarecrows blog, great blog. In fact scarecrow has helped me a number of times and was the inspiration for me starting this blog. So thanks Mr. H. it is lovely to hear people are interested in following it.

    And a big thanks to everyone, the advise given is terrific.

    Very interesting Bev about the tomato roots, thanks.

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  9. Those plants have some 'nice legs'!! It's always about the light, eh? Over the years, I've has some stretchy seedlings myself.. now, the grow lights keep them nice and compact. Live and learn! :)

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  10. "nice legs" I will pass your complement on to the plants. I am sure they will appreciate it. Oh, maybe I won't, that might encourage them.

    Interesting about the use of a grow light. I assume that is for the winter months?

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  11. I've learnt something! Great blog and goals! How are you calculating your percentages, I would like to do the same one day. In the meantime I'm off to repot my tomato seedlings up to ther bottom leaves, never knew that you could do that. Good luck with the project :)

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  12. Joanna I am pleased to hear my blog has been of assistance to someone. The best thing is I learnt something too. At the moment there is not allot to calculate. I am going to just estimate for the time being. And best of luck with the tomatoes.

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