Seed Starting

It was 75 degrees yesterday and I spent time outside transplanting the first round of seedlings into their own little pots so they can grow into healthy starts. At this stage, I add in a bit of compost to the soil mixture to give them a little growth boost.

Then I seeded a new round of crops into the freshly empty trays. The pots and trays are sitting on radiators by the windows all over the house. I don’t have any special lights or equipment for my seed starting, I just pay attention to their moisture/heat and light levels and move them around as needed. I talk to them and envision them growing strong! I tell them what a great job they are doing.

This works just fine for home gardening! I’ve said it a million times, but efficiency isn’t necessarily the end all be all goal of everything in life. Funny little rituals, intimate puttering ways…these can be part of the joys of gardening at home (and other parts of life).

And, you don't have to spend a bunch of money on fancy stuff. I just like for people to know growing seeds and growing food is accessible.

Anyhoo, it was good to be outside in the sun playing with plants. Tomorrow, more snow!!!

One thing you can do right now in this climate (zone 4/5) is prep your garden beds if you use the NO TILL method.

Minnie soaking up the sun.

You can see that I haven’t touched my yard for cleanup. Last year’s leaf litter is still protecting plants and invertebrates against late-season frosts. And butterflies' chrysalides are clinging to dried stems and twigs, waiting for the right time to emerge as glorious adults. Bees still need cover during chilly nights and heavy rains and some species are still hiding out all together. There is lots of delicate processes going on this time of year and we need to give nature the time and space to do her thing.

Unrelated, we ran into Minnie’s bestie Winnie while out on a walk. I just think it’s cute! They were both in slo mo from the crazzzyyyy 75 degree heat ;)