Getting Started

This year, a series of circumstanced beyond my control has put us in a rental home. Actually, it’s a great situation and I’m happy with where I am.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.”- Philippians 4:11-13

So, instead of planting on my own land, God actually opened doors to a perfect situation in which I am able to garden share with a new friend. She and her husband have graciously allowed my husband and I to plant in their raised beds and we will share the work and harvest! I’m so excited to see what comes of it.

Anyway, I’m preparing to start my seeds indoors. If I had a greenhouse, I’d be starting more plants, but as it stands, I don’t. I have gone ahead and seeded my Feverfew which is supposed to germinate between 14-21 days. Still no sprouts yet. As I think about it, I didn’t really ensure the seeds had good contact with the soil by tamping them down. Future reference: Make sure your seeds have good contact with the soil. I will be seeding my peppers indoors tomorrow. I keep a calendar specifically for gardening in my office near Maggie’s kennel. That particular placement ensures I see it every day so I stay on top of what needs to be done.

 I got organic potting soil from Lowe’s- 3 ft³ for about $12 after tax, so not bad. I truly hate buying dirt, but I haven’t had the chance to develop a compost bin or prep my own soil- which is mostly clay and rock- so I do what I have to do. I had all my seeds already from our order last year. We typically order from heirloomseeds.com rather than the bigger more commercial seed companies, who truthfully, get all their seeds from the same place. For more on that, check out this video from dirtpatcheaven. Since we weren’t able to plant last year, I’m hoping all the seeds are still viable. Everything we’ll be planting this year is from Heirloom Seeds, OR from the seeds we have saved ourselves over the last year.

We have a grow light set up in our basement, which stays more climate controlled than our main level. I decided this year to plant in cardboard boxes instead of peat pots. A few reasons for that:

1. Peat pots/pellets are expensive
2. Peat bogs are endangered and renew at a pretty slow rate, so I’m all about conserving natural fuel sources when I can
3. I have an abundance of cardboard boxes that are taking up space in my basement
4. Cardboard is biodegradable, so I can just plant the boxes as natural and decomposable containment for plants that like to run wild otherwise
5. Boxes are portable which is great for starting my plants at home and then moving them to the gardening site for hardening/planting when the time comes.

I am super excited for planting season, and hopefully we have a bountiful harvest.