Still gardening.

pea seeds, originally uploaded by sagefrances.

I planted more today. I used up most of my seeds. I have a sinking suspicion that I planted the mint seeds too deep so I started a smaller container to test it. I transplanted a lot of my taller seedlings into the water bottles so they could have more room to grow. I put more thought into the layout of my starter containers because I think I killed some by taking the lid off too soon. But, damn, those peas and zucchini shot up so quickly. I put the taller, faster growing seeds into their own container. All of my jalapenos are looking good. I love a good jalapeno.
It snowed last night, and more is expected today. I didn't get to take my seedlings out for a sunning so I opened all the windows. I hope it helps.

The view finder on my camera is broken. I use the little eye viewer but every picture still comes out slightly off. Especially when doing macros.

sagefrances gardens?

I used to have a severe black thumb. Any plant I have ever had has died a tragic and dry death. One fateful day Gus brought me an abandoned and tiny spider plant from work. It had a tiny post-it note that said in tiny letters, "I'm free". It had two tiny leaves. The cat ate one of them the next day. I thought it was a lost cause. But then I did something different with it, which turned out to be the key to my success. Instead of finding a "perfect plant spot" for it I just left it next to my sink on the window sill. Every time I went to the sink I would see it and smile at it. And more often than not I would see it, smile at it, and give it a spritz of water. It glowed in the morning light that filtered in. And it grew.
That plant now has 6 leaves. True story.
I have since bought 4 more plants that are all equally flourishing. It's a truly amazing thing. Weirdly, my self esteem went up. Maybe because I considered my black thumb a black mark upon my hippy soul. In any case, sagefrances now gardens.

Here are my seedlings. I did a mixture in my first tray because it was my first time and I was experimenting. The zucchini and the peas are doing wonderfully. My jalapenos are beautiful, as well as my eggplant. Unfortunately I think my onions and spinach have already died. It's ok though, because I have more seeds.


This tray actually turned out pretty awesome. You soak the soil in warm water and then plant your seeds. It comes with it's own plastic covering that creates a green house effect. I do hate all that waste though.


These are the organic and biodegradable trays. Good in theory. So far not good in practice. The soil has a weird sandy quality and it dries out almost immediately. The plastic trays kept the soil wet enough so that I only had to water them once. I have to spray these at least twice a day. I planted them later than the others, that's why there isn't any sprouts.


This is my mint. If all else fails but my mint thrives, I will be a very happy person. I have always dreamed of having my own mint plant. I know it's a small and strange dream, but it's a true fact about me. My ideal life involves mint.


In a week or two I am going to plant more veggies using yet another method. I was giving plastic bottles that I am going to cut in half and use as starters. It's recycling at it's finest.

I'm knitting some baby stuff for a friend. Bright yellow with dragonflies. It's very spring.
I've made a pot of beans for dinner. One of my favorite things to cook are beans from scratch. It's fun.