I did it! I winter-sowed some seeds today!!!

January 14, 2014 by thedogwalkinggardener 2 Comments

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

I first heard of winter sowing last year on Kevin Lee Jacob’s blog:  A Garden for the House:  http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2012/11/winter-sowing-101-6/

His is the most amazing blog .. with delicious recipes, very witty writing and such very helpful ideas on what to do, in the house and in the garden!

So a few days ago I dumpster dived for some empty milk jugs .. having recycled absolutely every one that we had in the house!    And I found 6 and rinsed them out thoroughly,  cut them as Kevin described and drilled holes in the bottom .  Filled the bottom halves with coir, watered thoroughly and left them to drain till today.

Well .. today we had some sun so naturally I had to stop everything I was doing and just gaze skyward:

And I saw a little plane flying overhead .. oh how I wish DH & I were up there now ….Sigh .. but we weren’t .. so I turned my attention to my newest gardening adventure.   I went through my seed stash .. omg . .there were so many to choose from.   Seeds from years and years ago and some from last summer.  I chose mainly some exotic type seeds that I’d purchased at Seedy Saturdays over the years.  Here are the containers:

Where I had only one type of seed ..I wrote the plant name on the container and the container number on the packet.  Otherwise, I wrote the plant name on small sections of cut-up milk jugs for labels.  Very advanced system, you see!  I even planted about 10 of my most precious Luffa seeds!Even though some of the seeds called for the oh so very carefully treatment, I decided to just try the milk jug method.  It seems easy-peasy.   And my seed stash is so large I just have to start using up the packets.  For some reason I guess I fell in love with Orach, I have 2 packets of red and one of purple.  I think my attraction was that the plants grow large, self seed and look dramatic in the garden.  Good enough reasons for me.

Here are the jugs, all closed up.  I might add strips of duck tape to keep the lids closed on cold days.  A quick application of EM was done before I closed the tops.  I’m really looking forward to seeing how this experiment works!

Some more sky views … I love this one ..

and a closer view ..

Here are some photos from a walk near the end of November .. stairs!  Always stairs .. but that is a good thing!  I love the curve of these stone steps.

All the hiking and steps were worth it to see this view.

 

D discovered this beautiful many layered section of ice crystals …

This beautiful stone bridge is such a classic … solid and full of character wouldn’t you say ..

 

Hmmmmmmm …..

This was magnificent .. although I must admit .. I hadn’t noticed this Mallard Drake at the time!

 

I have to keep taking photos of sign posts as I just follow the group’s direction and mostly have no idea where I am, ha ha ha …

And suddenly a path appeared before us and we entered the woods ….

And yet another sign so I can get my bearings later if I ever walk this way by myself (I think I will stay with the group though!)

A water source for all the deer and other animals who pass this way ..

 

Another interesting walkway as we made our way to the top of this section.

 

Such beauty in our city .. tucked away … it must be sought out, as all such treasures must be!

Well, even though it is just the middle of January, I’m getting a good feel for Spring!  Yea .. I’ve planted seeds outside in containers!   The garlic is growing so well.

All the birds are out chirping away.  And I do miss that fluffy grey squirrel …. I haven’t seen him for a few days … the peanuts that I put out for him are always taken away, but I must admit, I miss this little guy.

Still .. another great day!

🙂