Seedling Update: 21 March 2009 |

2009-03-21 It’s been two weeks since I sowed the first seeds of the season. I planted:

rosemary
chives
lemon basil
jalapeno pepper
red bell pepper
mixed cayenne pepper
Roma tomato
San Marzano tomato
Matt’s Wild Cherry tomato
Stupice tomato
Silvery Fir tomato
Thessaloniki tomato

The tomato seeds germinated in under a week (on top of the refrigerator for a few days, and then on top of a warming mat that I ordered from Amazon) and have gotten a bit leggy because they went for a day or so without a grow light (the ‘greenhouse’ a.k.a. the loft, also doubles as the guest bedroom and was occupied last weekend when the tomato plants sprouted). It shouldn’t be a problem, however, since tomato plants have the unique ability to grow roots all along the length of their stems; when I replant I will simply bury the full stem and grow an even stronger root system. The tomato seedlings are just starting to sprout the first true leaves. The pepper seeds germinated quite well and are nicely green and short. Not a single chive seed germinated; these were leftover from last year’s garden, so I guess these seeds did not last. The tomato & lemon basil seeds were also leftover from last year and those seem to be doing fine.

I bought a simple shop light from the hardware store along with two flourescent bulbs of the “sunlight” variety, and it seems to be working well so far. Last year my seedlings lived on the top shelf of my bedroom closet for six weeks or so, with my sweaters stacked in the corner. This is a much less messy option! In another week or so I will start some of the faster-growing varieties; carrots, squash, cucumbers and more herbs.

2009-03-211 In more signs of spring, there were potted herbs for sale at the farmer’s market this morning; I picked up rosemary, chives and thyme. Fresh, local herbs to cook with, yay! I love parsely, but it’s been many months now that it has been my only fresh herb. The sunny day is tempting me to put the plants outside, but the low-40’s temps are likely to kill them. I guess it will have to wait a few more weeks…..