The ritual of spring. Seed Planting sweet peas , carrots and radish.

 

Every spring these three seeds go in the ground first;  Sweet Peas, carrots and radish.  It is those seeds that germinate quickly , can tolerate cooler temps and mature quickly.  These are the seeds that you start with your young children to introduce them to the wonder of nature and fresh food.  I plant these every year to jump start some enthusiasm in getting in the garden. 

Peas you need to put on a trellis.  This year I used the limbs from the confederate rose that was pruned back.  The limbs of a confederate rose are straight and dry hard enough to support the fine runners of a pea plant.  The limbs are also free with exception of the sun and water investment from mother nature and growth energy from the host plant.

The peas with in a week have broken the ground and sprouting. 

We added some raised beds this year.  Found these on my favorite on line shopping app.  Amazon.  

These raised beds are galvanized , and do not have bottoms.  They measure 8 foot by 3 foot by 12 inches tall.  The bottoms are lined with heavy duty landscape fabric and card board.  Hopefully that will hold the tree roots at bay for a year or two.  

Along with the carrots and radish seeds I added some sprouting garlic heads.  I may regret that but for now they are growing and adding some green to the garden.

I hope you have some time to play in the dirt and plant a seed or two!

Sheryl

seed starting and rushing spring

I grew up no Stranger to a garden or a field that needed Planting, Plowing or picking . I have never until  this year dabbled in Seedstarting. I am Hooked !  I am not sure where I am planting  30 Something Cherokee Purple Tomato plants, Straight 8 cucumbers or the flat of flowers.

The greenhouse is meeting every expectation I had and more. It is a great place to rest, bird watch, welcome daybreak and start Seeds.  It is also a motivator to spring clean a lot more aggressively and without remorse.  Purging the yard and garden of tired and spent trees,flower beds and ornaments.

Seed starting has made me a more ambishious " gardener".  The hollyhocks and cone flower Seedlings as well as Hibiscus and Zinnias are still wanting to be pricked out and replanted.

There is a calmness to gardening. Maybe it's because most gardening in the south is done at daybreak, during the newness and cooler early moring hours.  It Possibly could be that there are no "modern" distractions, just bird calls, sun in your eyes and dew on your feet. 

Whatever the reasons are, the end results can be stunning as well as nourishing.

If all you can manage is a single flower pot that's Okay.  Plant it !  

Happy Spring !

Sheryl