the potato experiment..

 as i have probably mentioned before this is my first year i have had the opportunity to start so much from seed, so everything at this stage of the game is experimental. i used a part of one of the trays just to test the viability of some beans and it turns out theyre still good.. but it's far too early for the bean plant, they usually would be started at the end of frost. i had planned just to terminate them once i knew the packets were good, but i feel bad for ending a life, and have decided i may just get some buckets and keep them as indoor beans for now.

as for the potatoes... they've been in my kitchen for a bit. my roommate left them uncovered on the counter and they began to grow almost immediately, as i had warned they would. well that didn't work out so bad, i have a couple of sprouting potatoes to look out for, and try to grow as well.

so we have quite the assortment of produce started so far, the tomatoes, lettuce, yellow and purple beans, the long red peppers finally popped yesterday morning, and of course the potatoes... the tomatoes will need to be separated into slightly bigger pots soon enough to prepare for transplant.. and i just may have to pick up something else to attempt to start from seed. the journey to food continues..

sprouting a salad

i don't have much experience starting from seed indoors.. i've only grown peas, beans, herbs and lettuce from seed in previous years. this time i am trying a couple species of tomatoes, a bell pepper and a spicy pepper. also we were curious to see if the bean and squash seeds from last year are still viable so we threw some on the seeding trays with the peppers and tomatoes.

they lived! i wasn't sure if the beans would still be good, many of the seed packets that we were given last year we didn't get the chance to use and they weren't stored in any extraordinarily careful conditions. we were happy to see after a few days a few sprouts pushing their way out.. hopefully everything we get to sprout will survive the move and the timing, we will have to leave them outdoors in early May as there isn't anywhere indoors to keep them at the new place. we will ahve to get creative and build them something to let the sun in and keep the frost out.

our lettuce mix is looking happier and stronger each day. it will be the first fresh crop to be ready for the season, and we're eager to dig in.. i'm thinking of picking up some herbs to start next, like mint and thyme and perhaps some parsely and a few chives... the possibilities are endless. we're so grateful that we will end up having a yard this year to grow in, and we move just in time to begin after the last frost. so excited!

let the seeds begin...

happy spring!

what better way to celebrate than to start some seeds?! what an exciting time. we found out recently that we will be moving our HQ closer to the core of the city, and we aren't sure how many things we want to start before the move.. being the long weekend there were many desserts purchased by family and friends, and i managed to scoop up a few of their containers to recycle as seed starting domes and trays. i decided first to start some lettuce in a cookie container. it's a quick crop that can stand a small container, and we can trim and eat and let it re-grow.

i put the container together just a few days ago, and already some of the seeds have sprouted. it brought a smile to my face for the rest of the day to see the new life next to my window.we have accumulated a huge amount of seeds mostly given to us, so we have many varieties to choose from this season. hopefully we can get away with starting some of them a little late as we will have far more space for seedlings at the new place.

tonight we are starting another tray of peppers and tomatoes, and also we will be testing some of last year's seeds to check if they are still viable. they may not have been stored in the most favourable conditions,and we will have a chance to see if they will work or if we will have to get more before planting season begins. we will also have to test some of last season's white clover seeds to make sure they're still good. we will be using clover as a living mulch for the third year in a row, only this time at our new homebase.

2013 has been an exciting year so far, and is sure to be a busy one. stay tuned!