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What We’re Growing

Writer: Joseph Ornberg
Joseph Ornberg
May 1
3 min read

Updated: May 15

As The Fortress Gardens begins to take shape, we are learning a lot through trial, patience, and daily care. Some seeds are thriving, some are still germinating, and some may need to be direct-sown once the soil warms up. This page will serve as a living progress list so donors and supporters can follow what we are growing, what we are attempting, and what supplies or plants may still be needed. Luckily we are still waiting to till the ground so we have time for trial and error and for hopefully a donation or two.


🌻 Flowers & Ornamentals (The Perimeter & Bio-Security)

  • Lupines: Currently in “boot camp,” hardening off in the shade before being moved into stronger outdoor conditions.

  • Joseph’s Coat / Amaranthus: Recently deep-planted into 3 oz cups to help correct leggy stems.

  • Amaranthus (Love Lies Bleeding): Germinating (5/4).

  • Marigolds: Germinating (5/2) - 50 Plants. Natural pest deterrents.

  • Nasturtiums: Direct-sown outdoors (5/2). Edible flowers and companion plants.

  • Aquilegia skinneri 'Tequila Sunrise': Germinating (5/6).

  • Cosmos: (Coming Soon) The airy filler.

  • Borage (Starflower): (Coming Soon) The blue contrast and hornworm deterrent.

  • Zinnias: (Coming Soon) The mid-level workhorse and cut-flower profit generator.

  • Alyssum: - Carpet of Snow - The living mulch. Germ 5/13

  • Alyssum : Royal Carpet - Germ 5/10

  • Alyssum: Gold Dust - Germ 5/13

  • Gaillardia - Double Mix - Germ 5/13

  • Aster - Crego Giant Mixed - Germ 5/13

  • Candytuft - Umbellata Mixed - Germ 5/13

  • Calendula - Pacific Beauty Mixed Germ 5/13


🌶️ Peppers (The Hot Sauce Profit Center)

  • Sweet Peppers: 10 plants. Biggest and most robust seedlings so far.

  • Ghost Peppers: 5 plants attempted. Week five of germination; monitoring.

  • Carolina Reapers: 5 plants attempted. Week five of germination; 5 sprouts so far.

  • Jalapeños: 5 plants. Currently in boot camp. Sprouted second leaves.

  • Serranos: 5 plants. Currently germinating.

  • Habaneros: 5 plants. Growing their second set of leaves.

🍅 Tomatoes (The Sauce Factory & High-Margin Heirlooms)

  • Red Brandywine (Heirloom): 8 vines. Showing distinct “potato leaf” growth.

  • Roma: 10 vines. Dependable sauce and preserving tomato.

  • Better Boy Hybrids: 6 vines. Added for reliable production.

  • Super Sweet Cherry: 5 vines. For sweet cherry-style harvests.

  • Cherry Tomatoes: 5 vines. Productive and community-friendly.

🥬 Greens, Roots, & Staples (The Kitchen Sustenance)

  • Kale (Lacinato/Dinosaur): Germinating (5/6). (5 seeds)

  • Lettuce: Germinating (5/6). (5 seeds)

  • Purple Broccoli: Germinating (5/6). ( 5 seeds)

  • Beets (Detroit Dark Red): Germinating (5/6). (5 seeds)

  • Spinach - Germinating 5/10 (5 seeds)

  • (Coming Soon - Direct Sow): Carrots (Danvers Half Long), Onions (sets), Potatoes (Yukon Gold/Russet), Beans, Cold-Hardy Greens (Chard/Spinach). Kohlrabi (Purple Vienna): 

🥒 Vines & Heavy Producers (The Space Hogs)

  • Cucumbers (Marketmore): Germinating (5/6) Perfect for the heavy wooden trellis. 5 seeds

  • Zucchini (Black Beauty): Germinating (5/6). 5 seeds

  • Summer Squash (Early Prolific Straightneck): (Library Seeds - Start Now). Heavy producer.

  • Justin's Farm Squash: Germinating. (Need to ID variety when leaves mature).

  • Pumpkins: Leggy seedling (Skylar's) needs potting up. Future seeds to be direct-sown.

  • Canteloup - Germinating 5/10 - 5 seeds

  • (Coming Soon - Start Indoors/Buy): Honey Dew, Muskmelon, Eggplant.

🌿 Herbs & Berries (The Flavor & Edge Crops)

  • Cilantro: Germinating (5/6).

  • Strawberries: 1 store-bought plant (5/3) (Plan to buy 6 more)

  • Watermelon - Jubilee - Germinating 5/13

  • Watermelon - Georgia Rattlesnake - Germinating 5/13

  • Brussel Sprouts - Catskill - Germinating 5/13

  • Sweet Basil - Germinating 5/13 (40 seeds)

  • Oregano - Germinating 5/13 (80 Seeds)

  • Thyme - Germinating 5/13 (80 seeds)

  • (Coming Soon - Start Indoors/Buy):  Mint (Keep in pots!), Rosemary, Flax.



Progress Notes

This growing season is teaching us patience, stewardship, and the importance of timing. Some plants are ready for the next stage, some are still waiting beneath the soil, and some will need a warmer start outdoors.

That process mirrors the mission of The Fortress Gardens: growth takes time, roots matter, and with care, what begins small can still bear fruit.





 
 
 

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