Friday, March 29, 2013
Sunrise Serenade
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
It's Spring!
Hello Sunshine, Goodbye Coldfronts!
I am thrilled that it is actually almost time to be planting my garden. I have harvested many seeds from last years heirloom squash varieties that I planted, we have purchased many more seeds from our favorite seedsman, Jere Gettle, through rareseeds.com. He is the proprietor of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, which we use quite regularly since discovering it a few years back.
Every year when I plant seedlings inside and attempt to harden them off outside, inevitably they get exposed to a frost or harsh wind that ultimately destroys all my hard work prepping for the garden. We usually end up purchasing starts from our local Lowe's or Home Depot to replace our seedlings. The reason I frown upon this is because the starts we purchase are hybrids and not heirloom. Besides hybrids not being as good for your health (GMO's), their seeds cannot successfully be harvested for the next year's planting. By using heirloom seeds you get more bang for your buck by not repurchasing the same seeds every year. Instead, just open your supply of harvested seeds from last year's garden and decide which varieties you liked best! This is more economical, health conscious, self reliant, AND fun!
This year I saw an idea on Pinterest that I hope helps me grow my seedlings and harden them off successfully. The idea is that you place your tray of seedlings into a clear plastic tote with lid. On frigid evenings or mornings, the lid can keep in the heat, and during the day the sun can shine right through the clear tote and grow your vegetables. This method is like using a miniature greenhouse. When I saw the idea a could have kicked myself for not thinking of it first. I mean really, it's so simple and obviously obvious. Why didn't I think of it?
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo107/whgille/August%202011/Picture120.jpg
I am thrilled that it is actually almost time to be planting my garden. I have harvested many seeds from last years heirloom squash varieties that I planted, we have purchased many more seeds from our favorite seedsman, Jere Gettle, through rareseeds.com. He is the proprietor of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, which we use quite regularly since discovering it a few years back.
Every year when I plant seedlings inside and attempt to harden them off outside, inevitably they get exposed to a frost or harsh wind that ultimately destroys all my hard work prepping for the garden. We usually end up purchasing starts from our local Lowe's or Home Depot to replace our seedlings. The reason I frown upon this is because the starts we purchase are hybrids and not heirloom. Besides hybrids not being as good for your health (GMO's), their seeds cannot successfully be harvested for the next year's planting. By using heirloom seeds you get more bang for your buck by not repurchasing the same seeds every year. Instead, just open your supply of harvested seeds from last year's garden and decide which varieties you liked best! This is more economical, health conscious, self reliant, AND fun!
This year I saw an idea on Pinterest that I hope helps me grow my seedlings and harden them off successfully. The idea is that you place your tray of seedlings into a clear plastic tote with lid. On frigid evenings or mornings, the lid can keep in the heat, and during the day the sun can shine right through the clear tote and grow your vegetables. This method is like using a miniature greenhouse. When I saw the idea a could have kicked myself for not thinking of it first. I mean really, it's so simple and obviously obvious. Why didn't I think of it?
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo107/whgille/August%202011/Picture120.jpg
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