Seedy Experiments

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. I've always loved that quote from Audrey Hepburn.

Gardening is truly one of the most hopeful of activities. It's also one of the most fun! Hope and fun -- we need both, don't we?

Generally speaking, seeds are simply tiny miracles of life. I believe that every gardener should have the experience of sowing them. That being said, I've always been hesitant about sowing flower seeds. I think it's partly due to my preference for direct sowing, straight into the earth, and my reluctance to nurse flats. At the same time, I feel our soil and climate are hard on little seeds, opposing my desire to sow directly into the ground.  The few times I've tried haven't proven very successful.

A couple months ago, aggravated by the weather and the poor performance of purchased bedding plants, I sowed some zinnia seeds both in the ground and in boxes. Victory! Unexpected victory! They all look very pretty. A monster has been created!

Raised boxes are like giant flats and we have plenty. While I have certainly purchased tomato and pepper plants at the nursery, along with some herbs, I mostly direct seed my vegetable garden. While it's had its challenges, it's been successful enough. Moreover, I've found a good spot for a flat or two should I so desire. I'm so excited!

In the next few days, I will direct sow more zinnias as well as some marigolds. In another month or so, I will start the cool season annuals in flats. I have an exciting variety and plan to mix them with the vegetables as well as in their own spaces. I'm especially eager to try to grow sunflower seeds. They cannot grow in our summers, but late fall should be cool enough for them. Yahoo!

More soon! Happy gardening!