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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Growing like crazy


The cabbage, broccoli and kale are growing fast.


I think I'm going to have to transplant them soon. I could probably start hardening them off outside, but the garden isn't rabbit-proof right now, so I'm stalling. That's a whole other matter I'm trying not to dwell on. A rabbit has been spotted in the garden a few times over the winter and has clearly learned how to jump in and out through the higher-up, not-too-small for a rabbit holes in the "rabbit guard" fence. I'm working on a plan.

I planted some zinnia and marigold seeds on Saturday morning, and this is what the zinnias look like today:


Most of them have already sprouted. The marigolds haven't appeared yet, but it's only been three days, so I'm not concerned.

I love starting seeds in my basement!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The executioner

I didn't want to do it, and I had been putting it off for several days, but the time had come. I had to thin my seedlings. I hate thinning plants. I feel bad killing something that I purposely grew. I had to do it, though, and this morning I went through with it. I started with this:


and ended with this:


I had a hard time figuring out which seedlings to cut. They almost all looked pretty good, so there were few clear choices. I just hope that means that I couldn't make the wrong decision.

The kale is really starting to look like kale.


Some of the rosemary seeds have finally sprouted, and I think I'm going to start some flower seeds this weekend, so the 2014 garden is on its way.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Sprouts!

 

All of the cabbage, broccoli and kale seeds have sprouted.


That's quicker than expected for the broccoli and cabbage. No rosemary sprouts yet, but I don't expect to see those for at least another week. Now I just have to keep these little guys alive.

Monday, March 3, 2014

The plantry

Even before the seeds were started, another garden-related project got underway. A couple weeks ago, D and I started building some pantry shelves in the basement. We had a small room in the basement that had been used as either a darkroom or a brewery by prior owners of the house. D had wanted to turn it back into a brewery, but the project was never a priority. We decided the room would be a great space to use as a pantry.


We built some sturdy framing that spans the end of the room, which is about five feet across.
 
 
 
 
 
The long-term plan is for four shelves, but we've only installed two. For the time being, the middle shelf is being used as the seed-starting table, so the remaining shelves are on hold until the plants have been moved outside. Ideally, the second shelf from the top will be removable, so each spring the pantry can become the grow room, or as I like to call it, the plantry.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

I did it!

I actually haven't accomplished anything yet, but I took the first step.


I planted my first indoor seeds today: kale, broccoli, cabbage and rosemary. I'm kind of late for the brassicas, but better late than never.


My garden is so small, that I will only have a few of each plant, so the 72-cell tray is still mostly empty. I do have more seeds to plant, however. I'm not going all out this year, since I don't know what I'm doing, so most of the seeds will probably be annual flowers. I'm not brave enough to try the really important things, like tomatoes and peppers, so I'll still be buying those. Even so, I'm doing something I've been scared to do before, and that feels good.


Grow well, little seeds.

And if you're wondering, yes, my markers are toothpicks with stickers on them.