Tuesday’s Seed Tips

 

Depending where you wake up this morning, you may be experiencing an ‘Artic blast’. And another brewing snowstorm; oh, yeah, isn’t that what January is all about? It’s back. Enough about the weather; let’s regroup and focus. It’s time to shell out Tuesday’s seed tips because we need to include some pleasant garden thoughts. We could talk design but seeds and such are where it’s at when it comes to what’s active with January's #GardenChat.

Last week’s post on seeds, sets, and liners didn’t cover this diverse and timely subject. Let’s talk necessary tools for propagating your seeds. But hold on. This vast and subjective topic requires a few decisions on your part and a bit of your own research. This is one of those in tandem, multi-tasks where you employ your favorite search engine while you mull around an available propagating space.

First, think what works best for all members of the household. Watching a bunch of seeds mature may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Once the consensus rules and logical growing space is decided, next in line is measuring your designated area. Whether you are thinking sunny window or some available basement space, whichever route you choose, remember dimensions, dimensions, dimensions. There’s nothing worse than putting the table before the seeds and finding out that what you ordered doesn’t work. This happens far too many times so employ a little common sense. Get your measurements first.

Now that you have your dimensions, the rest is all personal choice. It's time to snap on the research cap and mull around the countless available options that fit your designated growing area. One other thought to consider - if you go the basement route, (i.e., lack of natural solar energy) you’ll need lighting, which equals juice, i.e., cords and plugs.  Consider how much you want to undertake, look at or invest, including your time, when you are putting your propagation plan together. Once you have a propagation plan mapped out, you are better equipped to place your upcoming seed orders, leading us to the “WHY”. Why go through this hassle of propagating your own seeds that seem light months ahead of your spring garden?

It’s a great winter hobby but it also gives you the freedom to grow anything you want including the unusual varieties you can’t find anywhere else when spring rolls around. Unfortunately, this guilty party does it every year. We never plan for an indoor propagating area. We end up getting what’s available in the nurseries, leaving us with limited choices or asking a few farmer friends. 

So on that last seed note, let’s wrap up these tips with the #DailyQuote. Clive James holds today's honor with this common sense poke. “Common sense and a sense of humor are the same things, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” In other words, if you don’t use common sense and a sense of humor with your garden growing techniques, you may as well be dancing in the produce aisles when summer comes around.  Speaking of supermarkets, expect them to be filled today with the threat of another January blizzard. Stay safe and think seeds, gardens, and plan now for what you want to propagate.  

© Image by Ann Bilowz 

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.