Garden Party

Last Spring was the first we had in our new house and, although I really wanted to have a garden, we decided not to.  We had some other landscaping to do and pay for, so we thought it best to wait a year.  I thought that year would never come, but it's finally here!

A few weeks ago we picked out some seeds.  We are planting:

• Tomatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Jalapenos
• Bell Peppers (the "surprise" packet with purple, red, orange, yellow, green, and white ones.  Who knows what will sprout!)
•  Cantaloupe (Daniel's idea.  He is obsessed)
• Green beans
• Cucumber
• Radishes
• Sweet Basil
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Oregano
• Blueberries and blackberries (Technically bushes.  We won't actually see their fruit until next year =(  Oh well!)

Today, we went and bought a seedling kit, soil, vegetable and fruit "food", and a watering can.  We started our seeds in the kit and will be growing them inside until we are safe from a hard frost, the seeds germinate, and are ready to be planted in the ground.  I will write about that when the time comes!
Here are all of our supplies:

Here is what we did:
 First, we used a silver sharpie to label each "group" of cells so we know what plant it is.  Then we filled each cell with soil without packing:

 Then, we put one seed in each cell.  Some of the seeds were tiny, some were huge!  We poked them down with our fingers until the seed was about half way down the cell.

Cover it back up with more soil.

We did the same thing with herbs, but we planted them in little pots and will keep them by the window in the kitchen.  We planted several herb seeds in each pot because the pots were so big.  Once done, water until you see it just leaking from the bottom (if using a pot with a tray) or until the soil is thoroughly damp:

The package claims that if you put the plastic "lid" back on the cells, it creates a greenhouse effect.  Hmm.  We will see! We have no great spot for sunlight in the house, so we are being hoosiers and keeping them on TV trays by our back door.  I'm sure company will think we are growing pot.

Can't wait to update you once our babies start to grow.. and share recipes using them!  So much of our grocery bill is fresh produce.  We will still have to buy some, but this will save us a lot of money!
Once we have kids, I think we will add more variety like carrots and peas and make our own baby food out of our own garden.  That and cloth diapers?  We are turning into total hippies.

Next week I will be starting a bread series, baking and reviewing several recipes.  The base for this bread is so easy and the dough can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before baking.  No kneading.  You will love it!