I am about to start the seedling adventure so this could not have come at a better time!! I bought myself a fair sized balcony planter and I want to try a few veggies in it as we finally have southern exposure in the new place (old place was northern, I still tried but it was very sad, only thing that worked was herbs). I will definitely follow your amazing guide!!
This post may have seemed long to you, but it was so much shorter than the gardening books I've read over the years that have failed to help me understand where I go wrong. Thanks for sharing your hard-won expertise. I'm also appreciating the metaphor. Lots of patience and care needed right now to plant the seeds that will later germinate and bloom into something beautiful and nutritious.
I own several of those gardening books, and most of them leave me more confused once I'm done reading. Maybe I'm just more hands-on? I think there's a lot to be learned through doing, but in gardening that means you might not get another opportunity to try a different method for months or even a whole year. Like so many other skills, gardening is best learned in the company of others.
PS: if you have cats, you can get used aquariums with solid metal or plastic tops where your cats can lay down and watch over your seedlings growing! I live in California so I usually just put my aquarium by the sunny south facing windows, I don’t use grow lights 🤭
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! I have lacked the confidence to start seeds, have not planted anything....gasp!....in several years and have just felt discouraged and unmotivated about planting anything. We live in Texas and the HEAT has really been a factor. BUT!!!! This glorious post of yours has germinated the "let's plant things" in me! BLESS YOU! The information you provide here, the great detail, and the addressing of gardening fears and unease has me feeling that I CAN DO THIS! You are a treasure and I will be saving this post for wonderful reference!
Oh, my! You have sprouted happiness in me! Thank you!🌱🌿👩🏼🌾✨☀🌈🤗🙏🏼🥰
Wendy, you really can do this. And it's also okay if things go wrong. Learning skills like gardening can be so hard! Learn from the things that don't work, and then share what you learn with others.
Robin, thank you for the vote of confidence! I was just telling my husband that he needs to check out your post, as it is so well done and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and we will certainly share what we learn with others. Growing happiness comes with sharing and giving!
Sharing this with my adult kids, newly launched into the grow-world. I'm using coir pellets this year that then transplant into ground or the next size up coir pot (see most recent post for pics). Finally - please tell me I'm not a bad person and not the only one who had a titter at the diagram and terminology about seed depth?! That was a new one on me.
I always want to try coir (despite my severe coconut allergy), but it's so damn expensive!!
And no, you're definitely NOT a bad person. :D I learned about measuring by cun in massage school like 150 years ago, and it just stuck with me. I am the first to admit there's some hilarity in there.
Thanks for sharing your gardening wisdom, Robin! I really enjoyed this and learned a lot even though I do not have the space for a garden right now. It's nice to imagine the seedlings growing.
I am about to start the seedling adventure so this could not have come at a better time!! I bought myself a fair sized balcony planter and I want to try a few veggies in it as we finally have southern exposure in the new place (old place was northern, I still tried but it was very sad, only thing that worked was herbs). I will definitely follow your amazing guide!!
Awesome! I'll think positive green thoughts for your little garden.
This post may have seemed long to you, but it was so much shorter than the gardening books I've read over the years that have failed to help me understand where I go wrong. Thanks for sharing your hard-won expertise. I'm also appreciating the metaphor. Lots of patience and care needed right now to plant the seeds that will later germinate and bloom into something beautiful and nutritious.
I own several of those gardening books, and most of them leave me more confused once I'm done reading. Maybe I'm just more hands-on? I think there's a lot to be learned through doing, but in gardening that means you might not get another opportunity to try a different method for months or even a whole year. Like so many other skills, gardening is best learned in the company of others.
PS: if you have cats, you can get used aquariums with solid metal or plastic tops where your cats can lay down and watch over your seedlings growing! I live in California so I usually just put my aquarium by the sunny south facing windows, I don’t use grow lights 🤭
Robin!
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! I have lacked the confidence to start seeds, have not planted anything....gasp!....in several years and have just felt discouraged and unmotivated about planting anything. We live in Texas and the HEAT has really been a factor. BUT!!!! This glorious post of yours has germinated the "let's plant things" in me! BLESS YOU! The information you provide here, the great detail, and the addressing of gardening fears and unease has me feeling that I CAN DO THIS! You are a treasure and I will be saving this post for wonderful reference!
Oh, my! You have sprouted happiness in me! Thank you!🌱🌿👩🏼🌾✨☀🌈🤗🙏🏼🥰
Many blessings and MUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜
Wendy, you really can do this. And it's also okay if things go wrong. Learning skills like gardening can be so hard! Learn from the things that don't work, and then share what you learn with others.
Robin, thank you for the vote of confidence! I was just telling my husband that he needs to check out your post, as it is so well done and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and we will certainly share what we learn with others. Growing happiness comes with sharing and giving!
Blessings and MUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜
Sharing this with my adult kids, newly launched into the grow-world. I'm using coir pellets this year that then transplant into ground or the next size up coir pot (see most recent post for pics). Finally - please tell me I'm not a bad person and not the only one who had a titter at the diagram and terminology about seed depth?! That was a new one on me.
I always want to try coir (despite my severe coconut allergy), but it's so damn expensive!!
And no, you're definitely NOT a bad person. :D I learned about measuring by cun in massage school like 150 years ago, and it just stuck with me. I am the first to admit there's some hilarity in there.
So helpful -- thank you!
I made the egg carton mistake one time. Yep, does not work.
Oof, sorry. Me too. But we don't know until we try, right?
Indeed. I’ve had my successes and my failures but I don’t give up.
Thanks for sharing your gardening wisdom, Robin! I really enjoyed this and learned a lot even though I do not have the space for a garden right now. It's nice to imagine the seedlings growing.
You can always ask me for seedling pics. They're more popular in my photos than the kids or the dog!
Thanks! There's something so peaceful about seeing baby plants growing. :)