How are everyone’s seeds sprouting? We had quite a time this past winter visiting with one another, online, learning that we are not alone in our obsession with seeds, didn’t we? And now I assume that like me, many of you now have trays of seedlings that you are carefully tending, while patiently waiting for the frost free date, whenever that is for you.
I decided it was high time I posted a picture of a few of my seedlings to show you that I really do start all my vegetable garden plants from seed. On the left are several varieties of peppers, bell peppers, hot peppers, and mild peppers. On the left are my ‘maters. I love to smell the leaves! Pure summer in that smell! And every day I wave my hand gently through those tomato seedlings because I read somewhere (or someone told me) that this imitates the wind and causes the stems to be thicker and less spindly.
And, in between is a little flat of Viola cornuta ‘Arkwright Ruby’. I started those a bit late, so we’ll see how they do.
Not shown… my eggplant seedlings, more viola seeds (covered because they need darkness to germinate), and oh, yes, some seedlings for Delphinium elatum ‘Foerster’s Hybrid’. Delphiniums have never done well for me, but from what I’ve read, this could be because I didn’t have a good variety. But ‘Foerster’s Hybrid’ could be just the right variety of Delphiniums for a midwest gardener. And I now have a dozen or so seedlings that are just getting big enough for me to pot them up to individual containers.
I read about these particular Delphiniums on Cold Climate Gardening when Kathy Purdy posted about the December book selection of the Garden Bloggers’ Book Club. Remember the December book selection? It was My Favorite Plant edited by Jamaica Kincaid.
Anyway, Kathy chose to write about two chapters, and one of the chapters was the essay by Thomas Fischer about Delphiniums, and that’s where I first read about the Foerster Delphiniums and decided that I should try to grow some from seed. If Kathy hadn’t written about this chapter and these Delphiniums on her blog, I don’t know if I would have every found out about them, or even thought to look for a better Delphinium for my garden
And that’s what I like about blogging. So many good ideas on all those blogs, just waiting to be discovered. So much experience from different bloggers, willingly shared with anyone who comes along and reads the blog or posts a question. So much affirmation that we gardeners are not alone in our obsessions with seeds or compost or whatever plant is on our mind that day. So many pictures of wonderful gardens, plants I’ll never have, sights I normally wouldn’t see.
Where else, and how else, can you get all that as a gardener?
I agree!!
Your violas are stunning-they match your tomatoes and the delphs will match your eggplant! Your are so clever, Carol!
That’s so true about the garden blogging community. You never know where the next great idea is going to come from.
I’m not going to grow delphiniums, however. 🙂
My seed rack is full of Pepper and Tomato seedlings too. I guess I like to start the things that are most important to me first, then I branch out into other veggies and flowers.
And you’ve discovered a garden blogger who has an obsession with compost? Sounds like a crazy person. 🙂
My tomato seedlings are doing great..I actually had to repot them yesterday. I’ll have to do an update post….
Because of wintersowing, I have a lot less started indoors than I usually do. Besides the tomatoes, I have basil, violas, bells of ireland, and coleus—although, my cats got into the coleus and it looks like I’ll have to try to start more…
“Where else, and how else, can you get all that as a gardener?”
Amen to that!
And good luck with those delphiniums!
We can only get that from other garden bloggers. Since I’ve been blogging many garden magazines have turned into a snorefest for me. I find most garden blogs far more interesting and real. And fun!
you are right Carol, where else do geographical barriers dissolve so easily as they do on net. I am enjoying myself thoroughly visiting gardening blogs and rather living vicariously waiting for your seeds to sprout!
I myself have sown sunflower, celosia, zinia, right now and waiting impatiently for them to show some results.
Wow! I just published a post about seed starting that referenced your seed discussions from earlier this winter. I began it before I know that you were re-visiting seed starting today.
I guess gardening minds think alike! 🙂
As a new garden blogger making the rounds I agree with your reasons for liking blogging.
I often go away with the feeling that I have actually visited the garden in person.
Reading your posts about the weather of our cruelist month, April, I am in complete sympathy as we are experiencing the same in Chicago.
Sissy… I assure you that any matching between the tomatoes and violas is a happy accident & has nothing to do with me being clever, but thanks for the compliment.
Entangled… Indeed, from which blog will the next great idea come from?
Anthony… Yes, someone THAT obsessed with compost might be crazy, or find a lot of company amongst garden bloggers.
Colleen… Just read your post about your tomato seedlings, they look great.
Kathy… And thanks for giving me the idea to try these Delphiniums.
Yolanda Elizabet… I, too, don’t find much of interest in gardening magazines!
Green Thumb… Good things come to those who wait for their seeds to germinate!
Marc… Great gardening minds think alike!
Carolyn Gail… That’s also what is nice about garden blogging. You can always find a gardener in the same situation you are in, like this cold, cold spring!
Thanks all for the comments!
I am so envious of your seedlings, they look great! After reading your blog, I posted my seedling story on my blog. Please take pity on me for how bad mine look, I am blaming it on the weather!
My feelings on blogging remind me a lot of our February book selection. The chances of any of us ever meeting each other is slim. But we can get to know each other, and visit each other’s gardens just the same. We may go on for years like this, and “know” each other better that we know some of our friends and family members.
I haven’t been blogging for very long, but gardening just has a way of bonding people. Even strangers can become best friends, through gardening.
So everyone, blog on!! (Except of course when it’s nice enough to get outside and dig in the dirt!)
Hi Carol,
I just posted photos of my seedlings, too. I *loved* the smell of the tomato plants when I transplanted them. I like the idea of brushing the leaves, imitating the wind… and just to get a whiff of that good tomato-y smell!
Vonlafin… Your seedlings do look like they could use some light, but you have a GREENHOUSE, so its hard for me to be too sympathetic!
Christa… Thanks for the comment, and I’ll check out your post of seedlings, too.
So very true about gardening blogs, all sorts of ways and new ideas for the garden. Thanks for the photo of the seedlings.