Gardening Time! New Seeds to Plant!

       Yes my friends I know it may seem early to start thinking about this but I always start my seeds by mid February. Here in Indiana it's usually warm enough to plant them by the end of March and even if it's not by mid April it always is. Now there are all kinds of fancy trays you can buy, and even specialized dirt. I'm sorry I don't use any of that stuff.

        There's a couple of reasons I don't use anything fancy, one I'm cheap, and two I've never had the room for trays. I wish I had a greenhouse but alas I don't. So I have always used Styrofoam cups, again for two reasons, their cheep and the plants can grow larger in them, its also really easy to transplant them out of the cups since you can tear the cups and not harm the roots.


         I start almost all my annuals from seeds. Even the  one's they say have to be directly planted in the ground, like Morning Glory's ( and yes I know Morning Glory's can spread like crazy, but I don't care I love them). I start some of my veggie's in cups too, like pumpkin vines, water melons, I feel like it gives them an advantage.


          As for soil I use potting soil, I've even used the generic brands  from my local dollar store. I usually start by putting any hard shelled seeds in water, like Morning Glory's, so by the time  that I get some of the other seeds planted their ready to go. I put two to three seeds in each cup just in case one is bad. The only flower seeds I never do in cups are marigolds, they grow so fast anyway. Plant the seeds to the same depth as the flower packet says to.  Speaking of Marigolds plant them near your tomatoes, helps keep the bugs a way from them.


           What type of flower beds do you like? Neat and In order?  English cottage style, let me know. I like mine really full and crowded, not so crowded that they can't breathe or grow but crowded enough so that it's hard for the weeds to grow! Besides I think it looks more natural, that's just my opinion of course you can do what you like, what makes your heart sing.

            I hope this helps you to get started  and make you excited that Spring is almost here! Until next time we see each other.........

My Favorite Herbs to Grow Inside

            Its easy to have fresh herbs all winter long if you grow them in your window ledge, the ones I like to grow are pretty easy with only a few that have to have bright light the others grow in regular light. Fresh herbs taste better than dried ones, I may not like to cook but when I do cook, but when I do I want the best taste for all the hard work I do!

   Basil, basil enhances the taste of any dish that has tomato's in it, start basil from seeds their easy to grow, they do however like a lot of sunshine and warmth.

    Bay, bay leaves are good in stews and meat dishes, Bay plants aren't that picky about light but they do like a lot of air circulation and don't let become crowded they'll get a fungus.

   Chervil, this is another one thats not picky about light and is easy to start from seeds.

   Chives, I learned my lesson about not planting this plant in my garden, it spreads really but it does have pretty purple flowers, so I keep this plant in a bigger container and take it outside in summer, chives taste like a very mild onion.

    Oregano, you can't make Italian food with out this! The easiest way to start this plant is with a cutting from your outside plant, your friends plant or buy one.
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    Parsley, is good in potato dishes and a lot of other kinds and if you chew it, it freshens your breath. Start as seeds, and this plant isn't picky about light.

    Rosemary, This plant is hard to start from seeds and even cuttings, it's best to just buy a young plant.

   Sage, is another one thats kind of hard to start from seeds, a little less hard from cuttings but I would probably just buy one if your new at this, and sage likes a lot of sun.

    Tarragon, needs a dormant period, so leave it outside til the leaves start to fall off bring it inside and keep in your coolest spot for a few days and then put it in the sunshine.

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     Thyme, this is another one you want to either start with a cutting or a new plant, its not picky about any kind of light.


           There are lots and lots of other ones you can bring inside but these are my favorite ones. Feel free to let me know what herbs you like and how you take care of them. Or if you have any questions or would like to talk about your favorite plants leave a comment or email me. Until next time.......







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