Almost Ready to Start

At my retirement party, guests were asked to bring a single seed packet for me to grow in my garden.  There were no restrictions:  flowers, herbs, vegetables or ornamentals.  People were very generous.  Many brought SEVERAL packages of seeds.  The good news is that seeds keep.  Also, I will have enough seeds for second, third and even fourth plantings.  My cruise is during the time I should be starting all the seeds.  So, before I left for Hawaii, I planted 80 different kinds of seeds.  I planted a six pack of each type.  That is close to 500 plants.  Usually, I planted a couple of seeds in each section of the six pack.  Some of the seeds are almost dust like – and my fat fingers planted several particles.  Bottom line, over 1,000 seeds were planted.

 

I arranged for my oldest Grandson – Morgan – to water the dirt.  He must have done a good job, because only two weeks later, the hot house is alive with seedlings.  I took a couple of pictures so you could all see that I am putting your seeds to good use.  The temperature outside today was about 60 degrees.  When I took the pictures, the hot house was 100 degrees.  The plants seem to love it.  If it gets any hotter than that, a fan comes on and a vent opens on the other side of the hot house bringing in that 60 degree air.  In a couple of minutes, it is back down to 100 degrees again.  It is all automatic.  Next year I might put in a heater so we can start even earlier.  We’ll see.

 

When I get back from the cruise, it will be after the official last frost and we can begin planting the seedlings outside the hot house.  I do not need nor want 6 each of four different kinds of cucumbers or watermelons or pumpkins.  So, make a list and tell me what you would like and I will try to get it to you.  When I get back I will make a list so you can pick.  However, for now, just assume I have everything.

 

Now, don’t be angry with Morgan if something happens to the seedlings.  This is my first time using a hot house.  He will be doing exactly what I told him to do.  If it doesn’t work, we will try, try again.  That is what gardeners do.