Monday, February 22, 2016

Seed Starting Season Begins!

Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up 
where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed.
Convince me that you have a seed there, 
and I am prepared to expect wonders.
                                                    
                                                 --Henry David Thoreau

It's the beginning of the magic season again here at the garden, and I'm full of relief and excitement. I can't say how many times I have opened the refrigerator, seen the plastic container filled with seed packets, and felt my heart flutter. In fact, my heart and mind have waged a mighty battle over the last couple of months. One so desperately wanted to get the seed starting modules out and stuff them with homemade seed starting mix, but the other knew that the time wasn't right. I'd squeeze my eyes shut and quickly close the door again, feeling a little breathless.

Two weeks ago, though, the battle ended. The seeds came out of their cold storage, and the containers took a bath. 

The modules are taking a bubble bath

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, mom and I carried the trays out to the patio and began the process of seed starting. I'll be adding new seeds to trays in waves as we inch closer to the warm weather.

Trays awaiting their seed assignments
(Get it? Seed assignments?)

In the meantime, I'm watching over my little seedlings with much anticipation, watering them gently with my turkey baster. Such a tiny little thing a seed is, but it sure packs in a whole lot of hope. 

Echinops (that's Globe Thistle) reaching for the light