Happy Planting :)

Whelp.  Here we are.  It's FINALLY starting to feel like Spring!  The sun is warmer, the apartment feels smaller, and all my little starter seeds have sprouted!  Well, most of them.  Some will take longer than others.

So far I've planted:
Artichoke
Asparagus
Bell Pepper
Broccoli
Eggplant
Jalapeno Pepper
Tomato

Those were my "start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost" seeds.  Like I mentioned in a previous blurb, I'm actually following the directions on the seed packets this year!  Shocking concept to learn from another's wisdom.  Well, it's working out!  Here's how they're doing!

Propped up cover for the greenhouse starter kit.

Tomatoes, Broccoli, Jalapeno, Bell Peppers

Asparagus sprouts

My babies are so photogenic.  Top Left: Jalapeno, Top Right: Broccoli, Bottom Left: Bell Pepper, Bottom Right: Tomato

I had just rotated the tray, so the seedlings are all leaning hard toward where the sun USED to be.  Look at them 'maters!  The two on the far right near the front are my Eggplants.

Over the years, I've transitioned from buying pre-started plants from nurseries to buying seeds and starting all my plants on my own.  This year, I'm trying some of the seeds I saved from last year's crop and will be saving as many as I can from this year's.

One of the things I have learned is that if you start your seeds in one of those cool little starter trays with the greenhouse cover, those seedlings will QUICKLY outgrow that covering.  What I like to do is raise it with wooden skewers stuck in each of the corners of the tray.  I find it raises it JUST enough to allow more growth and still lock in some warmth.  It also conditions them to adjust to life outside the greenhouse as far as temperature is concerned.  To speed the germination process along, I also use heated mats underneath the trays.  This probably cuts of almost a week in germination time.  REALLY helpful.

I haven't decided what I'm going to start planting next, but I definitely plan on having an abundance of certain crops this year:

Corn
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Zucchini
Cucuzzi
Lettuce

and there are others, but that list could just keep going on and on and then I'd feel bad if I left something out...you know the drill.

Until next time, happy planting and hope your seed starting experience is as awesome as mine!