Ask and it shall be! SPRING!

So I asked if it was spring, right?  AND IT IS SPRING!  IT IS SPRING!  I don't know about the rest of the country, but today was a beautiful, sunny, day in Detroit!  I opened the shades, made a few trips outside, and saw neighbors in Tshirts.  While Im not that brave, it certainly did wonders to lift my mood!

And a wonderful way to bring you my blog about seed starting.  Now, I almost didn't do seeds this year.  When it's time to plant after the last frost (May 2nd this year), I can always find plants at the local plant stands and farmers market that are stronger, bigger, and healthier, than mine.  And they are usually only $2-$3.  So why bother spending time and electricity on starting my own?  Well, it's simple.  I need it.  I need to see the little seedlings coming up with the promises of spring and gardening.  I generally try to stay away from the plants that are readily available and stick to rare or heirloom veggies, herbs, and flowers.  There is a whole chart system of when to start each seed, based on last frost date and how long it takes them to grow.  I really don't have the patience for that.  While I did start them a week apart, I was too excited to get them into their little pots.  So the pictures you see have tiny seedlings from the seeds I started last weekend.  YAY!

Who else loves to start seeds, or gardens?

Peace.  Love.  Serene.

Get ready for spring planting

I know I know - you're rolling your eyes at me.  Spring planting?  We're not even to the end of January!  AND THIS IS MICHIGAN!  But this is the perfect time to get ready. Its snowy here, and there are no exciting holidays left (screw Valentines Day), and so I need something to make me happy.  Thinking about planting makes me happy!

So here's the deal - if you didn't read last year's post - You have to have a grow light or two, suspended from a ceiling or a frame.  You start with biodegradable pots (or yogurt cups, or egg cartons - just make sure they have holes cut in the bottom) in a large tray to hold the water.  Mine looks like this:

You can see that I have marked each row or half row.  When I first started I thought I was cool and I was using popsicle sticks as plant markers. (ooh look at me, Im so GREEN).  Yeah.  They got moldy.  And the marker ran so I couldn't read them.  Just get the super cool un-green plastic things.

Fill the cups about 2/3 from the top.  Seeds will set on top, or will be pushed in, based on directions.  Top with a little bit of soil.  Water gently.

But it's bad for the plants if they get too big inside, and you can't plant them outside until after the last frost.  So you should be starting about 8 weeks before your last frost date

Detroit last frost date:   Approx. May 10th

This is when you should plant indoors:

• 12 to 14 weeks: onions*, leeks*, chives*, pansies*, violas*, impatiens, geranium, and coleus
• 8 to 12 weeks: peppers, lettuce*, cabbage-family crops*, verbena, petunias, impatiens, snapdragons*, alyssum*, and other hardy annual flowers
• 6 to 8 weeks: eggplants, tomatoes, broccoli, dahlia, zinnia
• 5 to 6 weeks: cockscombs (Celosia spp.), marigolds, other tender annuals
• 2 to 4 weeks: cucumbers, melons, okra, pumpkins, squash , cosmos

An asterisk (*) indicates a cold-hardy plant that can be set out 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost.

Peace.  Love.  Serene

And the winner is ....

KALE!! 

Cucumbers coming in a close second (you can see it coming up)

These little buggers are growing so fast!  It's exciting to see these growing!

I'll post more pictures soon ...


Peace.  Love.  Serene.

Seed Starting 2012

I couldn't help it.  With the cold weather and gray skies.  I started dreaming about flowers and fresh herbs.  I started throwing things in the composter again (yes, I am aware that it is only going to freeze for now).

And I set up my seed station in the basement, and started a row of seeds.  I didn't have seeds for everything because not even the stores have everything in yet.  I know it's early, but I needed something.  I needed to grow something.  I needed to see new life.  The moment when those first little seedlings sprout.  It's so exciting!

(and yes, that is a glass of wine you see in the bottom left corner)

Peace.  Love.  Serene.

Seedlings!

It's SEED GROWING SEASON!  

I started doing this 3 years ago, but I think it fits in perfectly with my new life - it saves money because if you grow your own herbs, flowers, and veggies, you are spending less money at the grocery store.  Also, it encourages me to eat fresher meals, so NUTRITION!  It encourages COMMUNITY, as I share my extra seedlings with friends and neighbors so they can have fresh food too.  Ask Donna - she grows zucchini the size of babies!

Growing things soothes the soul


When those first little sprouts emerge - it's exciting!  I feel PROUD!






If anyone wants to know how to start your own little seeds, here are the basic instructions: (or you can just start seeds on a windowsill - just grow SOMETHING!)


You need:
Trays
Planting cups
Seeds
Growing light


You need a tray under the cups so the water doesn't leak all over.  For the cups, you can use eggs cartons, yogurt cups, bottoms of 2-liters.  Anything, really.  I buy biodegradable cups with my seeds (from Lowe's) - they can be planted right into the dirt, so I have a less of a chance of screwing up my little seedlings.  For seeds, there are websites you can go to for special plants, or you can just go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot.  You can also get organic seeds.  The growing light can be purchased at any hardware store.  You need the fixture, and then the light bulbs.


Follow the directions on the seed packages - most say plant right under the surface and keep moist.  Some seeds can be planted outside at the beginning of the season.  The light should be very close to the dirt, and raised as the seedlings emerge and grow taller.


Turn on the light daily and watch them grow!  The package will tell how long each seed will take to come out.


GOOD LUCK!  SEND ME PICTURES!