Friday, March 25, 2016

Spring Project Update

There is a gentle, sweet spring rain falling as I write this. The air smells fresh and clean and the morning is quite warm for March in the mountains. 

The bedroom windows are open and the cool spring breeze is cleansing the room of the remaining stale winter air. 

It's a wonderful day to have a vacation day. 

A staycation day....my favorite kind.

We truly need the rain. The gardens are going to be so grateful. 

Things in the gardens are sprouting a little more every day and it won't be long until we see leaves on the trees. That beautiful early spring glow of pale green leaves is just so glorious - it makes you feel grateful just to be alive. 

Meanwhile things are turning green inside as well. Today is day 7 of my seed starting experiment and things are looking good. 


The Cosmos were the first seeds to pop. They were up two days after planting - amazing!


Lettuce came next. Two types sprouted much quicker than the third. 


The winter squash sprouts are so big and sturdy compared to the other seedlings and it's so interesting to see them growing so quickly!


The leeks just started showing their little heads yesterday. 


Every day there are new discoveries. This morning I saw the first signs of the pepper sprouts as well as the eggplant. 



I check in on my seedlings at least twice daily and mist them with warm water from a spray bottle. The grow light is on at least 18 hours a day now and the rate of growth is amazing. 

Mother Nature sure is incredible, isn't she? Isn't it just wonderful to think that the seeds that I am starting now in early spring will become food that we will eat both on warm summer days and into the long winter months - I'm in awe. 

I'm very fortunate at this point in my life to have the space to start my seeds indoors - not everyone has that option, nor did I for a long time before moving here. 

It's an extremely rewarding experience - I love being part of the process from beginning to end. To me, this is even more rewarding than going to the garden center and picking out veggie plants. Not to mention much more cost effective

I'm so grateful for everything I am learning about the whole seed starting process and can't wait to see what comes next. 

How are your spring plans progressing? 

Are you working on something that feels ultimately rewarding to you?


























27 comments:

  1. I want to plant peppers but i have to wait till july i think :( haha

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    1. Seeds would need to be started now for peppers, Ellen.

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  2. Oh, all the tiny sprouts look good! I'm dying to start some seeds.

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    1. You need to heal first, Henny Penny! Rest that back and when you're up and about again it will be time for the seeds!

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  3. I like to plant squash and Tomatoes. I just do not have a green thumb. Then the birds and squirrels eat the plants to the root!
    Lisa

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    1. Oh no!! I have a fenced garden for my veggies so that's helpful but yes, I lost plants to animals around here, too. The squirrels dig up my bulbs I plant in the fall and the deer eat my flowers just as they are about to bloom - they love big fat buds!

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  4. We are planting tomatoes but will wait till May so there is no frost to ruin them :)

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    1. Yes, my seedlings will be in the house for weeks before they can be planted out in late May. Hopefully they will be good and strong by that time!

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  5. sigh .... I'm so jealous of your seed starting capabilities. I'll have to wait and buy mine at the garden center since I have no place to start my own from seed. I've got some spinach and letttuce seeds and onion sets ready to go though--maybe I'll be able to plant them in a a few more days. Yay for Spring!

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    1. Yay for spring is right!! I don't have any onion sets yet - they are on order. We still have some horrible cold nights coming - I don't even know if it's safe to plant the peas yet - I think I should wait a little while to be safe.

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  6. I think you have done amazingly well with your bench potting . Glad you had a peaceful day. Blessings to you and yours for a Happy Easter. xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thanks, Susie - I'm like an obsessive mother - I go down to check on them multiple times a day!

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  7. I need to get some Cosmos seeds! I have some morning glory and zinnia seeds to plant soon outside. You're so much like me, in that every little new discovery with our plants brings us such joy.
    Brenda

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    1. My precious mother use to plant zinnias and marigolds every summer and I always wished she would plant something besides those,but now that's the first two flowers I plant each year. I love morning glories as well.

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    3. We are like two peas in a pod, Brenda! I'm out wandering about my gardens every day looking for new shoots!! And Phylis, I also got some zinnia and marigold seeds - they will be part of the next batch of seed starting - perhaps next weekend when the current batch is all sprouted.

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  8. I plant cosmos every year and they come up fine and grow but they dont hardly bloom!!! Do you know anything about them? Thanx

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    1. It sounds like they are missing something in the soil....too much nitrogen will make lots of green growth but inhibit flowers - too little phosphorus and the flowers won't bloom. Cosmos love hot sunny locations....they always do well for me with so little care at all. I don't even remember if I fertilized mine at all last year - I just throw in a little plant tone when I'm planting and they do quite well.

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  9. I too love to cook, but I have never tried leeks. I'm curious, as to how you use them in your cooking. I love all your posts, but especially the ones pertaining to cooking and your pretty kitchen.

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    1. Thanks, Phylis! I do love to cook....and I adore my little kitchen! I have never had luck growing leeks before - I'm hoping this year will be different since I started the seeds indoors. I would use them in place of scallions or onions in some recipes - they are really kind of a mild onion. Potato leek soup is one of my all time favorite soups so they may just get ALL used in a huge batch of that soup for the freezer! Stay tuned for lots of recipes as we get into the growing season.

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  11. Look at those seeds grow! Right now, the only thing I am growing is 3 boys as they become men. :) My oldest is turning 18 in a few weeks and preparing to graduate high school. It is an exciting and busy time. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Congrats to you, Courtney, and to your son! I remember the year my older daughter was graduation high school I cried all year....any time anything about graduation was mentioned! She was going away to school so it was so heart wrenching for me!

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  12. I love to watch seeds sprouting! It's so beautiful and fascinating. Thanks for sharing and reminding me I need to water! LOL!

    Happy Easter friend!
    karianne

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    1. I bet there are lots of things blooming already in your neck of the woods, KariAnne! Have a wonderful Easter and glorious weekend!

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  13. I am going to learn from you Mountain Mama and grow my own plants next year. I came looking for this post again as I have much to learn. You did this before March of course I see that now!

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  14. I am going to learn from you Mountain Mama and grow my own plants next year. I came looking for this post again as I have much to learn. You did this before March of course I see that now!

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