Friday, April 6, 2018

Planting Time

 

I usually start my garden seeds on March 28th, maybe because of tradition, superstition, or that's when my grandmother always did it. I didn't want any vulnerable little plants to dry out while I was away, so I declared today as Planting Day.


It's always been an outdoor activity, but since it's snowing again, my kitchen counter became a planting bench. John had planned to rototill the garden tomorrow and plant peas, but with more snow predicted, that will probably happen at a later date.


I planted tiny Brussels sprouts, Napa cabbage, and Jet Star tomato seeds,


slightly larger Celebrity tomato seeds,


and some nice big Raider cucumber and Top Pop popcorn seeds.


Then I gently pushed all the seeds down into the damp seed starting mix,


gave them a final heavy misting, and covered the cups with plastic wrap to keep the seed starting mix from drying out too quickly.


Then the trays go on my non-fancy seed-starting shelves (plastic shelves from Costco with a suspended fluorescent fixture) where I'll mist them daily and remove the plastic wrap when tiny sprouts begin to appear.


Check back in 7-10 days when I'll hopefully be able to show you some nice green seedlings!

16 comments:

  1. OOOO! I can almost smell the dirt! I love it!

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  2. Yay!! We have tomato seedlings and pepper (mild/hot) seedlings on our kitchen windowsill. Luckily Colin will be over daily while we are away to water, etc. as it will be too cold to set them out yet. Fletch did plant sugar snaps the other week and we have lettuce sprouting under a plastic "greenhouse" cover on one of our raised beds. I am so ready for home-grown produce!!

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  3. What a hopeful and optimistic post, Bonny. Just what I needed to see on a cold and rainy, supposedly spring, morning. I can't wait to see your plantings.

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  4. This makes me so happy! Because I don't have a vegetable patch, I don't start anything from seed. I get GREAT pleasure from your seedlings, though. Here's to a great growing season (even if it does need to begin indoors). XO

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  5. Ah, memories of little cups come back, when the seedlings come up it’s like newborn babes. Need a lot of watching!
    I used to plant seeds and then transplant at the right time, but now that I live south of the Mason-Dixie line, I just plant directly into the soil when allowable - except I do buy some plants like tomatoes and peppers. This spring has been cooler than usual but peas, arugula, some lettuces are in. The arurgula has cracked the soil and are visible already, in two days.
    Good luck, think of the taste of a red juicy tomato, on a hot-hot summer day. Mmmmm.

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    1. I think that starting seeds might be my favorite part of gardening. We have to wait until the soil warms up and sow zucchini and beans directly, but the growing season here just isn't long enough to do that with tomatoes and other things. My husband swears that he is going to rototill this weekend, snow or not, so we can get some spinach and sugar snap peas into the ground. Can't wait for those tomatoes! :-)

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  6. So much hope and happiness here! We really will see planting season one of these days! Have a nice weekend my friend!

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  7. Oh it is going to be fun to watch everyones gardens growing again ! you are the first I know to plant! Wait, I think Val may have started too!

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    1. It is fun to see everyone's gardens! I think Vera and Fletch have tomato and pepper seedlings started already along with snap peas and lettuce in the ground. I hope the soil begins to warm up soon!

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  8. I'll be honest - this is more fun for me than the Amaryllis Watch ... because I can do that myself. FOOD coming from those itty bitty seeds ... that's something I have to watch you do!

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  9. It is so nice to think about gardening. I'll be watching for the progress of the seedlings. I confess I am more of a plant seeds in the ground or raised bed and also buy tomato plants from the local nursery or farmer's market. Happy Gardening.

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  10. Thanks for showing us the steps in your process. Even though we've often had a garden, we've never started our plants from seeds.

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  11. I've been watching Smith go through this same process for two weeks. He jumped the gun on his tomatoes and they're 4" tall already. I doubt the weather is going to cooperate for an early planting. You're very organized and I hope the seedlings grow and thrive!

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  12. It may be winter-y outside, but it is springtime in your house!

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  13. I do admire your green thumb :) Whenever I water that tree that you and I both have (fir indoor tree) I think of you, no kidding! I think about how much better my tree would be in your house!! Seriously though, it's still alive and that is something.

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