And Sow it Begins

I started the fall sowing today. I made 20 little newspaper pots yesterday for starting seeds and today we went out to get compost and soil mixture. The seed packets pictured above are just a few of the ones we got. We left the store with two handfuls, but only half of them are fall crops. David had to go to work so I cleaned up the patio and got everything finished. We did this in the Spring as well, but with different plants. We tried various lettuces and arugula which started wonderfully and then (I guess) didn't get enough water and withered. We tried basil but that barely got out of the ground before it crashed and burned, and we had some green beans going nicely for a while but they started turning brown without warning and in a matter of days they were reduced to crumpled stalks. The only thing that survived was a tomato plant. Well, it's technically 6 tomato plants that have all grown into one MASSIVE tomato plant. We're talking 2 feet wide by 4 feet high. We have the pot sitting under a metal shelving unit designed for kitchens and the vines are just sprawling all OVER it. Here, why don't I just show you a picture? It looks perpetually droopy, but it already has tomatoes starting so I guess it's just working hard and getting tired. -lol-



These are the newspaper pots I was talking about. You can learn how to make them here (among other places).




David is obsessed with Rosemary so he INSISTED on getting this one at 8". Cost us $10 which is more than I spent on all of my stuff combined! It better be worth it. $10 is a lot as of late...



And, finally, the seeds all snug in their beds. I actually took the time to color and make cute little lables on stakes to stick in the cups but then I remembered I'll be misting inside the container and the paper lables would probably get ruined. So I am saving them for when the seedlings are ready to be repotted. For now, I drew a chart on the outside of the container so we'd know what was what. :)



If there are any seasoned pros out there, please speak up! We need all the help we can get. Oh, and I forgot to mention that most of these will be gifts. The herbs will be given as x-mas presents to friends that like to cook. I have one Swiss Chard plant for each of my rabbits (4). On christmas morning they'll get to go nuts digging up the plants and eating them in their entirety. ;) I also have some flowers growing for some co-workers. It's a gift that "keeps on giving" and they cost me less than $1 each. Plus, they'll be grown with tender loving care - what's not to like?! -lol-