Here is what was seeded yesterday:
Hot Peppers: Amazon Chile, Ancho, Bird, Cajamarca, Datil, Fatalii, Fesitval, Fish, Chinese Five Color, Gemstone, Ghost, Habanero, Jamaican Hot Chocolate, NuMex Centennial, NuMex Halloween, NuMex St. Patrick's Day, Pretty Purple, Red Habanero, Red Savina, Scotch Bonnet, Taiwan Chile, Tobago, Trifetti, Variegata and Vietnamese Multicolor - all of these for seedling sales. I seeded these early because they tend to be slower growing, or the seed is a bit older....hence a bit of extra time. I planted at least 20 seeds of each. Note that all of the Chinense types (the Habanero types) were seeded in this batch, along with the small leaf, compact, purple or green leaf ornamental types.
I also started a few other hot peppers as part of my experimental garden - these are various hot peppers sent to me by garden friends when asking for various Bird, Chiltepine or Pequin types (some customers expressed an interest in such things). I planted between 5-10 seeds of most of these and availability will depend upon germination. The varieties I planted are Long Bird, Pequin, Pequin Chiapas, Black Birds Eye and Chiltepin.
Eggplant: Antigua, Batu, Early Green Giant, Lavender Touch, Louisiana Long Green, Ping Tung Long, Rosa Bianca, Rosita and Zebra. Again, at least 20 seedss of each were planted, and this is only part of my eventual Eggplant seeding. I started these now because the seed is either a bit older, seed saved by me that I am unsure of, or known to germinate slowly.
Finally, I started a few cells of Cossack Pineapple ground cherry - history has taught me that they are very slow and spotty in germination, and slow growing early on....so an early start is helpful in getting good sized seedlings at the right time.
I expect to start seeing seedlings pop out of the growing mix in a week or so. The next planting will be some slower growing flowers and all of my herbs (including quite a few types of basil), and the rest of the hot peppers, all sweet peppers and the rest of the eggplant. I will start on tomatoes in a few weeks.
It really feels good to have the 2012 season well under way....I am happiest when there are lots of things to observe and keep track of!
Hoping you all have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday (and that the New England Patriots beat the New York Giants later on today!).