When I hear sprinklers in the neighborhood start, I know spring has arrived. A more familiar sign is the sound of lawn mowers and the smell of freshly cut grass. These sounds and smells take me straight back to childhood!
It is Easter today. Which is strange because the last time I updated this journal was during Christmas! Suddenly it is 70 degrees and the daffodils are making their last appearance. While it is cliche, time is truly flying by. I was able to cut several fading daffodil for our Easter table! It’s always a good feeling to make use of flowers before they bow out of the season.
In the early days of spring, I spend a lot of time walking around the farm making plans and feeling overwhelmed (and excited). There is so much to do…pruning, clearing winter brush, weeding, mowing, and amending soil are a few of the tasks. I’m a bit late to everything on my to-do list and I’ve accepted that will never change. The job that I look forward to the most is starting seeds!
During the summer I sell bouquets full of dahlias, sunflower, celosia, cosmo, zinnia and sweet peas. The sweet peas are always a step ahead as they don’t mind the colder nights. I like to collect clamshell containers all year and use (and re-use!) them for seed starting. There is a common misconception that you need a fancy greenhouse to start seeds early. In actuality, all you need is a container with drainage, seed starting mix and some sunlight. Make sure to cover your seeds at night with lids, an affordable greenhouse tent or really anything that is clear and allows light! If you find the early sprouting seeds are leaning in one direction, rotate them back and forth to avoid “leggy” starts. I have found the warmth of a seed starting heat mat is helpful if you are getting a late start (like me!). It can speed things along.
It is magical to watch seeds sprout. I can imagine the cutting garden to come when I see the green poking through the soil. I was gifted several seeds from friends and family this year. I love the idea of all my favorite people’s gardens showing up in my yard via the seeds they saved and shared with me (Thanks Mom, Natalie, Stephanie and Tasha Tudor *I bought hers but I still imagine she sent them to me herself ;)
Today I feel grateful for daffodils, sunshine, a good meal and church. I also really like biscuits, of which I had many this morning. I hope you had a joyful Easter! More updates from the farm to come!
-Jenni