These days, we don’t have space for fancy dinner parties. Too busy growing seedlings, they’ll soon produce the food we’ll enjoy this summer. These tiny plants are entering their third week of life while thriving under an unusually cute grow light. HHH informed me, (the Master Gardener he is), that without stimulation from proper lighting, the plants would be weak and fail.
The grow light is quite an affordable and necessary addition to our gardening tools. Bendable tubes support 12″ positioned over the seedlings in many ways. This device is programmable to come on for the same number of hours each day. For less than $20, it’s a great investment. In just a week, the seedling’s are thriving.
Gardening is a relaxing and soul-soothing hobby. Smelling freshly turned soil while spending time outside, one cannot help but be in the moment. But, there is also the expense. No matter how you begin, beginning gardening can be expensive.
Now that the light has arrived prompting the plants to grow like crazy, the little peat pods are becoming root-bound. Next weekend, it’ll be time to replant everything in bigger pots. This first round of seedlings will be ready for bigger peat pots by the end of next week. Each day, their little stems are getting stronger, fascinating to watch. Some pods that sat empty for two weeks are now sprouting under the grow lights. At some point, I’ll need a bigger table and another grow light. I can almost taste the cherry tomatoes and the Armenian cucumbers we’ll enjoy this summer. And so, the tending continues.
In the 1900’s, I’d enter the nursery and go wild. Two of this plant, five of those. We’d have a full cart of flowering plants and head to the cash register. The bill was always cheaper than a new dress or night on the town, affordable and fun. These days, one young plant can cost $5-$10. Just one. Not a flat of 12, like in the olden days.
Hubba-Hubba-Hubbie and I’ve found our true downfall as a couple. The Garden Center. There was never a doubt that we’d decide to raise our own seedlings this year. It was disheartening to find that a packet of tomato seeds holds 24 seeds. Pretty pricey at $2.00 a pack, but much better than $5 for four seedlings.
Having planted a sufficient number of seeds for a neighborhood farm, I may have found a little cottage industry. After frost danger has passed, the extra plants will be put up for sale to good homes.
As the last days of winter tick by, we’re prepared for spring. The garden shed is clean and organized. The greenhouse is together and waiting for warmer days. The bee hive awaits the queen and her court. And our seedlings are growing. Our late winter checklist almost finished, pruning continues.
Whatever you do this weekend, make sure you remember stressful thoughts should wait until Monday morning at 8. It’s the weekend!!!! Take some time to enjoy fresh air and sunshine if you can grab some. Putting one foot in front of the other, keep moving! With miracles all around, life is truly beautiful.
More on Monday.