So far, so good. 7/11 types of seeds have germinated.It's probably no surprise to anyone that knows me, but I love to garden. There's something stress-relieving about digging in the dirt and watching things grow. When we moved into our house a few years ago, we had a nice assortment of grass and a row of trees along the back fence line. We've added a few flower beds and trees and have learned how to properly kill plenty of plants in the mean time. While I've managed to kill my fair share, I've seemed to improve my odds as time has gone on.
The one area where I haven't been able to successfully grow living plants (not a single one), is starting plants from seed indoors. Every spring, I've been enticed by the peat pots and dreams of fresh veggies and early-blooming zinnias, and every spring I've ended up with a bunch of withered sprouts. I decided last year to stick with real plants or simply sow zinnia seeds in the ground (which worked well, but they didn't bloom until almost August).
Lynne inspired me to make another attempt at starting some plants from seed. I told her how I wanted to have a real herb garden and she encouraged me and went through my list of purchased seeds and weeded out the ones that would just set me up for failure.
I got a practical set of seed types and planted them several days ago. I know it's still early, but I'm encouraged by their progress so far. Hopefully I can keep them from all dying before they get planted in the yard.
My ever-patient husband even helped me up my odds of maintaining a surviving plant this year. He rigged up this grow light for me. We went to Lowe's and bought a small UV light and light bulbs for plants instead of buying one of those expensive grow lights. The funny thing is, you can see the bright glow from under the door. I hope our neighbors don't see it and get the wrong idea!
9 comments:
I hate to say this, but I have grow light envy. You have no idea how amazing this is to un-handy people.
Matt showed me how to do most of it. We can go to Lowe's and get one for you if you'd like. :) I think with everything (including the chains to hang it from), it was about $40, but it would be less if you want the bigger 4' light (I don't know why, but the bigger one was cheaper).
Dear Lynne -
Please check the Obama stimulus package to see if "grow light" funds are available. We've got to do our part to help the government spend all that money.
Forever yours,
Charlie
Sign me up! I will gladly pay $40 (and of course I would want the biggest light) plus dinner...
I am growing little sprouts as well! Only doing cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and flowers. I don't have a light, wish I had one. I put mine on top of the dryer though and seemed to sprout well in the same mini greenhouse you have pictured. Sam just finished my 8x5 garden a few weeks ago and I am so excited for Spring! Thanks by the way for the post about crepe myrtles. We just planted five of them in our back yard last fall and we haven't trimmed them yet. I always hated seeing them masacared!
R - Lynne and I are going to Lowe's on Saturday to get supplies - you should come with us!
Are you doing a real veggie garden? I've never had a successful veggie garden. I'm hoping to have some cucumbers and zucchini this year though (and maybe tomato - but not from seed).
You should post pics of your garden(s). :)
What time? I would love to come, but I am planning to attend the women's conference.
I'm and trying (the key word is "trying") to grow my first veggie garden. I've grown tomatoes in a container in the past and it worked out pretty well. This is the first time that I am growing them from see though. Atleast I can buy a plant later on if the seeds don't work out :o) I'll try to post pics soon!
Is anyone distrubed that Matt knows how to build grow lights for growing plants in closets?
Haha, Mr.C... I actually got the idea from a gardening magazine and Matt rigged up the stand and also changed the light plug from the kind that goes into the ceiling to a regular wall outlet plug.
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