Miracle of seed starting

It never ceases to amaze me when I see the first green poke through the soil in a seed tray.

I ordered my tomato plants from Stout Oak Farm, a local organic farm. They are grown in their heated greenhouses, and at $3 a piece, it is a bargain to swing by and pick up several healthy 2′ plants ready to take off as soon as they are planted.

But, I also wanted to start some annuals, lettuce for Herbert Menninger, the grands’ pet rabbit, and see if I could get some Schwartzbeeren seeds started so the berry picking season would last longer. These berries make what my husband would tell you is the best pie in the world especially since he grew up with his Mom making all things sweet with these tiny black berries.

Normally, I use a four-shelf metal rack on wheels, two lights on each shelf with everything covered in emergency silver blankets to keep the light and heat in. I didn’t want to go to that much trouble this year for a couple of trays, so I bought two plant brackets with clamps from my local Walmart for $7.95 each, attached them to a table on my porch, hung one set of lights, covered it with a blanket, and I was done.

I planted up my two trays last Wednesday and on Sunday I had some seeds already sprouted. Happy dancing here.

This summer I’m going to recycle those plant brackets and use them for hanging baskets on a picnic table.

So, is seed starting a spring project for you, do you prefer to buy plants, or do you frequent your local farmers’ markets?

Happy Monday from cold, gray, rainy New Hampshire. The only gardening being done here is under those lights and in my dreams. 🙂

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