Starting Seeds

I must have “spring fever” or something today. It may be only the end of January, but this morning I started to gather things together for my seed starting station in what is now the library in our home. Slowly over the next couple of months, as the plants begin to grow, our library will be transformed into what can only be described as a “garden room.” It is a wonderful thing to watch for it is the reminder that life does go on and there is a promise of better things to come.

According to the “Old Farmer'sAlmanac”, I shouldn't start the seeds until February 28^th. However, since I follow the old farmer's rule of thumb and plant seeds who's produce grows above ground, in the full moon, I will be planting the seeds on the 25^th.

 

My starting station isn't anything complicated or elaborate, but it does get the job done. I usually put my potting soil into bathroom type paper cups for planting my vegetable seeds. Some people use cardboard egg cartons, or cardboard toilet paper rolls. I have even heard of people using ice cream cones as a planter for their seeds. I have found though that the small paper cups work best for me. I then place the seeds in either the “greenhouse” in a west window, or under a grow light. 

 

Once the plant has sprouted and out grown the cup, I plant, cup and all, in a origami newspaper box that I have filled with potting soil. If you would like to know how to make the newspaper box, click here. Once it is warm enough to plant outside, I plant the newspaper box and all in my garden.

For the herb seeds, I sow 2 or 3 seeds on each grow pellet and once they are large enough, I transplant the herbs to a large planter that I will place outside sometime in May.

So far, the herbs that I will be growing for this year are: thyme, dill, sweet marjoram, chives, cilantro, sage, basil, garlic chive, parsley, oregano, and mustard.

The vegetables that I will be growing are green beans, carrots, onions, green peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, cabbage, and cucumbers. I also hope to grow some watermelons as well. What are you planting in your garden this year? 

Thanks for reading. And remember, "No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow." - Proverb from Guinea :-)