Seed Growth

So Here is an Update on our couple hundred seedlings...

Things were growing beautifully...






Until....

Plant Enemy #1

That is right.... remember when I said how much fun and how educational growing starts were??? Well, I take it back... just kidding, but I really did have quite the morning Friday. I was so upset I could have completely lost it. You know those moments when you think you should correct your child because what they did was wrong, but you think maybe you shouldn't because he was just a curious two year old and if you were him you probably would have done the same thing??? Besides you didn't actually tell him not to do it, in fact you encouraged stirring the dirt a few days before when you were making a seed start mix. "Stir, Stir, Stir," you said. Plus you really loved those little broccoli starts... you soaked them and tended them daily, you planted them and watered them and rotated them so they would grow straight. You get angry for a few moments and you know you can not punish because you are ANGRY.

Well that happened to me Friday morning. Yes, while I was homeschooling my older children in the bonus room all of a sudden I noticed it was a little too quiet... and so I panicked, where was DREW! Low and behold, poking with one finger all my broccoli and chamomile. Five weeks down the drain! I will have to start them over.

Oh well, it was educational and at least I learned a lesson... Ask for a green house or a cold frame or something for Mother's Day...

On the bright side of things we still have bush beans, pumpkins, squash, zucchini, eggplant, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, corn, basil, parsley, echinacea, calendula, morning glories, black eyed susans, and yes some broccoli. Out doors we have carrots, tomatoes, peas, pole beans, corn, sunflowers, onion, garlic, shallots, asparagus, sage, peppermint, dill, rosemary, chamomile, basil, parsley, cabbage and celery.

In a few weeks I will take you through my garden and share some companion planting secrets.

Recipe for Seed Starter Mix:
This is a lot cheaper for mass quantities and ensures it is "organic!"
Equal Parts
Organic Potting Soil
Compost
Perlite (Vermiculite)
Sphagnum Moss or Peat Moss

Another optional ingredient that helps drainage is Sharp Sand.