Who's ready to start digging in the dirt and get their seedlings going? I know I am! While putting plants in the ground is still a long way for us here in Washington, I'm readying myself getting empty egg cartons and other reusable containers ready to go to start seedlings here in the next few weeks. I know some folks love using empty yogurt containers, but I prefer the egg cartons since they are bio-degradable and I can pop them right into the ground.
Did you know that by starting your seeds indoors, you can get 14 week jump-start on plant development? Of course, it's easier to run to the nursery to pick up already started seedlings, but you gain a certain satisfaction knowing you've grown them all by yourself. And if you're like me - piece of mind. Two years in a row, I've had plants turn out to be not what I thought they were going to be, thanks to the planting labels having been switched somewhere along the way. (It's kind of frustrating when you are expecting big tomatoes only to end up with little grape tomatoes! lol)
I've learned a lot of things the hard way over the last few years when it comes to my garden, like being sure to read the seed packets for when to plant them, as well as whether they need some shade, a little shade, or full sun. I don't have a ton of place in the garden for my veggies, thanks in part to soil we just can't seem to fix, so it makes the planting game a little more stressful for me. I rely on containers and raised beds to get the most out of my yard. The great benefit about the containers is I can move them around depending on the weather, and to keep them safe at night from pesky critters.
I've been saving all my egg shells for battling those slugs and snails that seem to love my garden, so I am hoping to loose very little produce this year. I really had to fight to keep them away from my strawberries last year!
The other problem for me when it comes to my seedling is getting them the 14-16 hours of sunlight a day. We're lucky to see sun at all this time of year, so I am stuck faking it for them. Luckily I do have an indoor small greenhouse to start my seeds off on. It's not huge, but it will do the job. When we move, DH has promised to build me a decent greenhouse so I am going to hold him to it. ;)
What are you planning to put into your garden this year? I'm really hoping for plenty of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, lettuce, onions, and garlic. (Those last two are already in the ground!) I already have my strawberry beds weeded and cleaned up, the blackberry vines are looking good, and mint that's gone dormant for the winter.
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The mention of blackberries makes me chuckle. I just finished listening to "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" on tape. Are the blackberries really that rambunctious? I know my raspberries pop up everywhere. Funny book, if you haven't read it yet. Just put a batch of eggshells through the blender this evening. I save them all year round, for the slugs and the tomatoes. This year I really want to try making self-watering planters. Found a neat how-to online. Fun to dream in the middle of winter.
I haven't read that one yet, but the blackberries do really manage to pop up all over the place! I've been enjoying looking at all of the how-to gardening ideas too. There are some really neat ideas out there, it makes me wish we had a lot more land to try them out on. :)
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