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!