I found the time and energy today for some more seed starting in the house and in the veggie garden.

I struggled last time I planted seeds inside with the seed starting mix being dry. This time, I mixed in a big bag of sand and then poured some water directly into the bag with the starting mix, then left it to stew overnight. When I dug into it this morning, it was silky and moist and perfect.

In this seemingly optimal mix, I planted a fun mixture of seeds from Chiltern’s called the Bargain Basement Lottery Mix of Greenhouse Plants. One of the “seeds” in the packet was actually clearly a small green bulb, so that was exciting. I’d say there were at least ten different kinds of seeds. I potted them in four recycled yogurt containers with plastic covers.

I found some leftover Penstemon hybrid seeds from Chiltern’s so those got planted today, as well. Penstemon’s are one of those seeds that might start right away, but might also need a cold stratification. I thought it wise to get the process started, just in case they need to go into the fridge for a few weeks later on. There are three plants from this mix in the memory garden already and I’m looking forward to adding more.

Quite a few years ago, I grew some Heuchera’s from seed and gave the progeny to my friend, Diane, for her “pool garden” ( a converted swimming pool). So, I know I’m able to grow these plants from seed. This is a mix of Neueste hybrids from Chiltern’s that are supposed to have amazing foliage and nice flowers. They will end up as patio plants and gifts should any of them germinate and survive.

The last indoor seeds I planted today were two types of alpine strawberry, a yellow and a red. These are heat-sensitive, so I put them in the windowsill opposite the heater. I’ve had a lot of success with these in the past and I plan to keep a few and give the rest away. Fragaria vesca is considered a native plant here and a very beneficial one to insects. These seeds and the photos below are from John Scheeper’s Kitchen Garden Seeds.

The other seeds I planted today were pea seeds that I put out in the raised veggie bed under the trellis Leon made. I also planted five four-packs with the extra seeds that I had soaked overnight. I’ll leave those outside to sprout and fill in as needed if there are blank spots under the trellis.

I managed also to get the rest of the area around the potting table cleared out and organized. It was a pleasure to work out there today and transplant some native seedlings and sow pea seeds. I’ll be spending hours and hours out there this year and feel so lucky to have that space!

I am so anxious for spring to be here that I examine the seed pots several times a day! If a watched pot never boils, I’m surprised that any of my seeds have started at all.

Right now, I have one Gasteria seedling, one Albuca spiralis, two Lobivia, one Lewisia, ten Stipa, ten Heliotrope, and about twenty five Incarvillea. None of the Crassula, Haworthia, Aloinopsis, or mixed cactus seedlings have ventured forth yet.

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Today felt a bit like spring, with some bright sun and mild temperatures. I found some energy to go out and do some clean-up around the potting area and plant shelves near the house. It takes just the right mindset for me to tackle the dozens of pots that need to be organized and stored under the potting bench and around, but I found the energy today and hope for more tomorrow to clean up the rest of the area.

I have hundreds of pots. It seems like overkill, but I also have big plans for plant propagation. I’m not getting rid of any pots just yet! I do think I need to replace the board that makes up the wood shelf–the bow is getting a little extreme!

There was a fascinating fungus right in front of the potting bench that I need to research.

One advantage to COVID-19 forcing me to work from home is that I am close to the greenhouse. I bought a wireless thermometer/hygrometer last week and I can visually see that the humidity in that amazing green space is way too high. Now, I can open the door during the day to let some fresh air in and close it back up at night so that I’m paying to heat the entire neighborhood. The humidity gets close to 100% during the night, but I can get it back down to 60% during the day with the door open.

The Cyclamen coum seedlings are blooming beautifully in the greenhouse.

About eight inches of snow stacked up at my house over the last three days. Gardening has remained an indoor activity. It’s a good time for seed planting and planning for warmer days.

I neglected to mention a favorite plant in my previous post–Heliotrope ‘Marine.’ To my nose, Heliotrope has one of the best fragrances of all flowers. I haven’t grown this plant for many years. For me, it tends to be a bit persnickety, both in germinating and growing the plants on and also in keeping the plants growing and blooming. I’ve also failed at keeping the plants ticking over in the greenhouse in the winter–they are truly perennial in warmer climates.

The seeds are from Select Seeds. Here is what their website shows they will become:

I made the mistake of not soaking the seed mix for a few hours before I planted the seeds–a little anxious, I guess. I’ll not make that mistake again–it takes so long to get the pots to pull enough moisture in from the bottom to be appropriately moist!

Today is Valentine’s Day and here are a few flower pics from the house and greenhouse.

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My earliest attempts at seed germination this year failed miserably. For whatever reason, not one seed started. I had planted Sinningia seeds, Rhipsalis, Euphorbia, and Kalanchoe. I think the Euphorbia seeds might still be viable, so I will keep them in their tray and keep watering, but I’ve given up on the others–it’s been about two months. I made the mistake of using previously used potting soil for the Sinningias and I suspect there were bugs or pathogens that kept them from sprouting. I have no idea what caused the Kalanchoe’s to not germinate. It’s possible the seeds just weren’t viable.

The second round of seed starting was about two weeks ago. I used seed starting mix combined with gravel for this round. These were seeds from an Etsy seller, Unusual Seeds. The below photos are from their postings.

So far, there are just a few seedlings. Three of the Kalanchoe thyrsiflora have sprouted.

One Gasteria seedling is showing itself–a plump little green ball at this point.

I also planted Lobivia seeds and one of them is germinating. This isn’t a great photo, but the reddish seedling stands out in the gravel mix.

None of the Albuca, Haworthia, or Crassula seeds are up yet, but I’m hopeful.

Today, for the garden/patio, I started some other seeds. These were from Select Seeds and I’m excited to get them going. I’ve always been thrilled with their seeds and plants. The below photos are from their website. I started Lewisia “Elise Mix”, Viola “Chicky Chicks”, and Stipa gigantea.

In addition, I planted seeds for Incarvillea sinensis ‘Cheron White’ from Chilterns. Chilterns is an amazing UK seed house. They have a little bit of everything and their seeds have led to a lot of success for me in the garden. The below photo is from their website.

This was a snowy day and it was fun to get some gardening done indoors while the snow piled up outside.

Back in November, I potted up 100 iris reticulata bulbs for forcing. I didn’t bother to get the cold frame set up. Instead, I just put them on shelves around and kept an eye out to make sure they didn’t get too little or too much water. My investment paid off immensely Through much of January and February. I was also able to gift some pots to family and friends as an easy-to-grow early spring.

My takeaway from this exercise is that it should be repeated–it is so easy and inexpensive and it brings much joy for a long stretch of time.