Starting seedlings is so easy! I've got a friend who is still intimidated by the whole process (Jen!) and I'm only laughing because I know exactly how she feels! I've been ridiculously intimidated about the whole gardening kit-n-kaboodle and am still fascinated at how simple...and yes fun!...it all is! And I don't want our children to fall into my paralysis trap either, so we'll just get them gardening early... before they come up with any preconceived notions to the contrary!
So here goes Heather. By the way, our children are far from intimidated anyway...as opposed to their mother...and think it's nothing but incredibly interesting and wonderful. And please don't ask me why this all has seemed so very complicated to me! I know....it's not. But when I venture into garden sections and see books 5 inches thick on everything imaginable from tools....to soils...to temps...to...I'm gonna stop. I'm confusing myself! No, for kiddos everything's an adventure to them...and they don't bother with garden sections in bookstores....
Heather's planting cukes (hopefully a good pickling kind), cantaloupe, green beans, basil and dill, and carrots (their favorite!)...
And Caitlyn's turn now. We're using a seed starter mix...as opposed to regular potting soil to start these seeds. She's planting green and colored peppers, more cukes and green beans...and of course, tomatoes! : D
I also learned that it's best to keep the seeds warm and in low light initially. I set ours on trays in our downstairs bathroom on top of the washer and dryer. That room stays on the warmer side...and was especially warm once we were brooding the chicks. It's got me to thinking that it would be nice to have a room dedicated to brooding poultry and seed starting. I'll have to think on that more!
Here are the seedlings now...or actually about a week ago when I took these photos...
It's been 4 weeks to the day today. I took the tall bean plants out 3 or 4 days ago and put them into the ground in the garden. Next I'll need to get some sort of lattice for the them to climb up. But can you believe what a difference only 3 weeks makes?? It's very cool!
With all the wind and rain we've had the past 2 weeks, I've not put the others out yet...but they're getting close! Gradually I began introducing the seedlings to more light...but not direct sunlight. Once they've got some healthy leaves, I let them get some direct sunlight...but not for long periods of time. Keep them moist but not over-watered. For the herbs and carrots, I had the clear plastic lids to put over them. These work great for stacking the trays...like on top of the dryer...and keeping things moist and more regulated. Again, it's not rocket science. Just watch them and feel the soil. You can figure it out...and I'm always thrilled to see how things like this are SO forgiving!
As of the past couple of weeks or so I've started the 'hardening off' process. All that means is that you get the seedlings acclimated to the outdoors...sun, wind, and rain. I set the trays outdoors where they don't get blasted by the wind...but do get the cool drizzle or some sunshine and breezes. Some gardeners transplant their seedlings into larger pots...or you can just put them into the soil if night time temps aren't dipping too low. That's it! Actually that's not really it. There's lots and lots of great info on how you can tweak and adjust for better plants and greater harvests, etc. But just getting started...just do it!...is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Trust me! I'm so glad I did!
Hopefully summer will be in full swing very soon...and we'll be ready to enjoy some honest to goodness fresh from the garden veggies! Yum! : D