Seed starting containers...

Let's talk about starter pellets, peat pots, milk cartons and the like... You know, the things you start your plants in.

In years past I have been all about the starter pellets.  They start out at about the size of a cracker, then you add water, and magic!  It grows.  They say they are biodegradable, but for the past couple of years I have found myself picking the stupid plastic clods out of my garden, and I have to say It's annoying. Also, I tend not to label my pellets, so I never know what is growing in the stupid things anyway.

 I have tried the peat pots, but there is some controversy about wether or not they are actually environmentally friendly... besides they get all gooey. A similar product is made from cow droppings, but I have not tried these yet because they are kind of expensive.

So this year, I am trying out "fiber grow" starter pots. They come in packs of 50 and 36.  For most of my seed starting, I will use the larger ones that have 36 per pack because most of my plants will grow for a couple of months before going outside, and I want to have the luxury of transplanting them into 4 inch pots when I feel like it, but for a few of my plants, I will use the smaller strips.  Onions and Leeks are these plants. They will have a smaller volume of roots than say a tomato plant, and they are more cold hardy, so they will get a start indoors, but then go outside by early April.

So let's talk about Flat #2 then shall we?

In this flat (50 count) I am starting Borrettana onions (25) I am super excited about these onions because they store well, and supposedly you can braid them.  Wouldn't it be cool to bring a braid of onions to say a housewarming party?

I am also starting 20 Italian Red Torpedo onions
20 American Flag Leeks (they take a long time to grow)
and
5 White bunching onions, for spring salads.

Flat #2 is all about onions.  I am using the smaller starter pots because

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

Today I found the box where my seeds were hiding!!

Flat number 1
I planted:
Cauliflower - cheddar, and grafitti.  I know that I don't generally plant hybrids, but dude!!!  Purple and orange cauliflower!  Last year I tried these varieties, but kinda forgot about them when I put them in the side yard.  I had only 1 little purple cauliflower.  This year I will try again.

Tomatillos - Pineapple - again a variety that I tried last year, but managed to fry when I left baby plants in truck. Note to self...

Broccoli - Waltham

Arugula - This is an early spring plant that sows well in the garden, but I figure I'll give it a head start in the flats.

Now Grow you seeds!

Magic! True Leaves

So, I opened the box this afternoon, and almost over night, my lavender plants went from babies to little plants.  I understand the science, but my gosh,  I feel like magic just happened.

Beginning of Febuary, and my boxes still grow

 

It's a start.  After 2 weeks, here is a view of my lavenders.  I'm noticing that some are definitely earlier bloomers than others, and fernstead is the fastest growing by far.  For the most part, you can see little more than the first leaves, but if you look closely, the first leaves are coming!

 

  

Ice Lavender is thinking about growing....