Granex Yellow Onions – Planted January 1st, 2013
One of the things I want to be better at this year is documenting my garden in real time, from start to finish. A sort of photographic journey as I plant, sow, and harvest my backyard bounty.
I think so many times when we read books and magazines on how to garden, it seems so overwhelming. All we really want is someone to reach out from behind the pages and give us a helping hand. To show us HOW TO DO IT, and not just tell us how. And that my friends, is what I hope to accomplish this year with all these silly little garden updates and pictures of mine.
Green Globe Improved & Purple Romagna Artichoke – Planted January 4th, 2013
Like I’ve said many times before, I am not an expert, just some crazy lady who really enjoys gardening and has the space to do it. So if you find yourself in the comment section, and you know the answer, please, jump in and help us out if you can.
Valentine Mesclun Lettuce – January 8th, 2013
Because with each others help, I think we can all have a successful garden, no matter what the size this year. I don’t know about you, but I am counting down the days until the heirloom tomatoes start to roll in.
Homemade salsa here we come!
In it to win it baby! This year is going to be awesome!
~Mavis
For those of you who have wondered how I am able to start my seeds so early, I have been using the Hydrofarm 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System. I purchased 2 sets off Amazon.com at the beginning of the 2012 growing season, and my ability to start healthy seedlings has forever changed. I used to start my seedlings in the family room next to the window, and I had some success with it, but from here on out, I am totally sold on grow lights. I love them, and totally recommend them.
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Melissa says
I so excited that my seeds start to spout too!! I love watching things grow. I don’t have any lettuce growing yet, but lots of herbs!!!
anne says
I also use grow lights but I’m able to hang a shop light with grow lights from the ceiling in a back room with some good natural light. The grow light hangs from chains attatched to hooks in the ceiling. The hooks stay but the lights are stored when not in use. Also I use an old end table to hold the trays. Works OK but I might need to expand this year.
anne says
I should have added that this set up makes it easy to move the light higher on the chains to accomodate growing plants like tomatoes. This room is pretty chilly and I don’t have heat mats but my starts seem to do fine.
Pat says
What a great idea to use hooks in the ceiling! I’m going to try it on my back porch!
BethAnne says
This comment is not about seedlings at all, but we were talking about Ryan Gosling at work (various views on whether he is cute or not) and one person said have you seen the “hey girl” photos he does. I said WHAT? is that who that is, so I pulled up your blog and showed them the one re the seed packets. I always thought that was some old picture from the Dust Bowl days or something.
Mavis says
Hilarious!
Paula says
If the room is cold where you’re using the grow lights, do you need a warming mat underneath?
Mavis says
I would recommend one. 🙂
Sherri says
Where can I find out what I should be starting when for my area?
Susie says
Sherri, I’m a novice at this, but if you go to Burpee’s website (or maybe even other seed companies’ sites), you can put in your zip code to “customize” your Burpee page and it will tell you what zone you’re in & what you should be doing now to get ready. Hope this helps!
Sherri says
Thank you! I see Mavis has given us some ideas in a new post too. I may have to get one of those apps.
Angela says
You’ve inspired me, Mavis. I know how to grow a traditional garden since I grew up on a working 400-acre farm, but life has me in a subdivision in the 5th largest city in TN. It is not practical for me to start tearing up the yard for an in-ground garden, especially since we hope to sell this year. Instead, I am going to attempt a container garden, and I started my first seeds indoors yesterday. The Farmer’s Almanac stated it was a good day for planting above ground crops. I have several herbs and some lettuce planted in seed starters with a warmer pad and grow light. *fingers crossed*