What's Growing: Happy Spring, Sprouts

Happy Spring! Spring has officially arrived and my garden is officially declared a new mud wrestling rink so not much is growing outdoors – yet. Garlic is beginning to poke through and yesterday I noticed the first few buds of Rhubarb leaves. Mojo, my mud mop (dog), seems determined to squash anything in his path which does not include the walking path but of course, the main beds.

In my quest to have fresh food year round I purchased a sprouter kit, specifically the Bioset Seed Sprouter from Johnny's. I am amazed! Within days, I have fresh sprouts to top off rice dishes, salads, crackers ... you name it. I'm already on my second batch.

My kit came with a variety of sprouting seeds: broccoli, mustard, mung beans, radish and wheat off the top of my head. Usually I add a tablespoon of seeds in each tray (a chart is also included with measurements as to how many seeds are needed for each variety), stack the trays up and then fill the top reservoir with water. The water slowly fills up the top tray, then trickles down to the next, and finally ends up in a collection tray at the bottom which I then empty. I do this twice a day at least.

Within a couple days, the seeds sprout and fill out. I cannot describe their taste other than wow, zing! These do not taste like any sprouts purchased from the store.

My mushroom kit also shroomed WAY out. I should have probably picked the mushrooms a little earlier (they looked more like mushrooms a few days ago). They look funky now but I ate them anyway – yum! – also incredible flavor. It was dry here and they took a little longer to get started. The company I purchased them from, Back to the Roots, is great. I emailed them a picture asking for help as to why they were not growing and and received a response right away with tips to get them going.

They are Pearl Oyster Mushrooms. Next I'll flip the bag to the other side for a second batch. Let's see if I do a little better with this batch. Hopefully, I'll have picture perfect mushrooms the second time around.

I have started Brassica seeds: Artichokes, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, and Cauliflower. I still do not have a grow light set up, but with temperatures so mild I am using the SUN. I figure the nearby Amish must start their seeds without grow lights, so can I! But I do hope to invest in a set up next year. I am excited to grow Artichokes. I really want to see one of those beautiful flowers. I'm not sure how to harvest Artichokes, will have to read up on that, but this year I will leaf over the Cauliflower heads. Any tips out there?

The newly sprouted seeds look strong and healthy and I hope to have them growing in the Potager soon. These transplants, when larger, should be okay with cooler temperatures. Next month I plan to start Kale, Spinach and Swiss Chard directly in the garden. Can't wait!

Things Are Looking A Little Seedy Around Here

This is how I save seeds. I call it my "seed tray." Every year late summer until first frost I pluck a few from the garden and throw them in here to dry out. These are some from this year: sunflower, zinnias, marigolds, love lies bleeding, mallow, beans, peas ...

Here's one from years past.

 

Although this method has worked for me just fine, this year I am taking it one step further - I'm actually storing my seeds more properly in this nifty Michael's special box that I keep on my library shelf. I found these cool little bags at work and took them for myself. I have one of these boxes for all my plant tags, too. (Maybe I have a sickness.)

Truthfully, I was inspired by Patti - a woman I've met since moving here who gave me these lovely seeds. It was one of the best things I have ever received. She enclosed all the seeds in these little envelopes with custom labels and wrapped them in homemade wrapping paper printed with pictures of her garden. To me, she represents the true spirit of gardening.

And this is what bloomed from that spirit ...

Mallow

Zinnia

Nasturium

Sunflower (from what she labeled "Fancy Sunflower Mix")