“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” ~William Blake
I am trying to live up to this quote as March ends, probably like a lion. And with April, I am ready to get out and start planting seeds. But my seed starting happens months in advance of April. Actually it starts before the new year. In December, I begin putting my list of seeds together….just in time for the new seed catalogs to start coming. I sort through old seed packets discarding any that are open and more than 3-4 years old.
I love flipping through the catalogs looking for new varieties of veggies, herbs and flowers to try each year in the garden.
Over the last few years, I have put together a calendar of when to start my favorite flowers, herbs and veggies. By late January, I start pansy (above), viola, torenia and snapdragons (top of post) as these take time to germinate and grow. And the pansies, viola and snapdragons can be planted in containers a bit earlier than most annuals in my zone 5b garden.
Alyssum (above), amaranthus(above) and coleus are started a few weeks later.
By the beginning of March, I have started eggplant, peppers (above), tomatillos and celery. I won’t start tomatoes until late April as they grow fast. And I do start cucumber, squash and sunflowers a week or 2 before I plant them out in late May just to give them a head start.
In early March, I also start marigolds and many herbs such as basil (above), Italian parsley, savory and marjoram. All other flowers, herbs and vegetable seeds are started, at different intervals, outside as the weather warms.
This is what my seed starting station looks like by mid-March. By the end of March, I have already transplanted many of these seeds into bigger pots. Next week, I’ll be giving you a glimpse into my what my veg garden will look like this year….what varieties I am trying, and what my planting scheme may look like.
Are you starting seeds already? What new seeds are you trying this year?
A Bare Bones Vase
In February, when the weather was very warm, I cut a few sprigs of forsythia and willow to force.
As you can see they have leafed out. The forsythia did not flower which may be a signal that our crazy winter may keep my forsythia from blooming this year. I hope not.
The willow are still flowering slowly. I love seeing the little fuzzies….
And all the beautiful green willow leaves.
With all our March snow, still covering most of my garden, it has been a joy to see the forsythia (above) and willow leafing out, and giving me green that has sorely been missing.
I am joining Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful In A Vase on Monday meme. The pictures shared here were created with my iPod Touch camera and two free apps, Pixlr and Prisma.
I am posting poetry, almost weekly on Sundays, on my other blog, Living From Happiness. You can read my latest poem here.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2018. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.