Fungus Among Us

So I started seeds indoors.

(You can read about it here)

I wasn't very hopeful that I would have success 

because every time I've done this in the past

I've had all my seedlings die due to 

damping off disease.

This is a disease caused by fungus and/or molds

that are naturally occurring in the potting mix.

It can kill seedlings 

or it can prevent germination.

So, of course, it hit my seedlings again.

For future reference, 

you can sterilize your soil in the microwave by placing it in a microwave safe dish

covering it loosely

and heating on High for 8-10 minutes.

Let it cool on its own before using.

But my problem was happening now.

So here's the remedy I found.

Chamomile Tea.

Yes that herb tea that relaxes you and makes you sleepy

has anti fungal properties.

You boil 2 cups of water, 

make your tea then put it in a spray bottle and use it to water and mist your plants.

The results?

My tomatoes began germinating

and my cabbage, peppers and kale are not dead.

I did lose most of one of the cabbage varieties I had,

however, I did set aside some of the seed to direct sow in the garden.

Now, if only the weather would cooperate so I can get the garden tilled!

Spring Has Sprung

Finally!

I started some seeds indoors this year.

I have never had luck starting seeds indoors.

Never.

I'm not sure why I'm thinking this year will be different than all the other years before,

perhaps all the stress has addled my brain.

With the nicer weather coming this weekend, 

I have plans to get the garden limed and fertilized and tilled.

Time to shake off the long winter blahs.

In case you're wondering, I have started: 

Cuor di Bue Grosso Cabbage- an Italian heirloom that is super sweet and good for coleslaw and sauteing 

Filderkraut Cabbage- German heirloom developed for sauerkraut (which I'm going to attempt to make)

Bull Nose Pepper- Red bell pepper grown by Thomas Jefferson

Blondkopfchen Tomato- They produce tiny round 1/2" gold tomatoes and are very sweet

Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch Kale- Easy grower, hardy and delicious (and I hated kale most of my life)

I grew this in the winter and it did great. 

And chickens and deer love it too.

I ordered my seeds from Annie's Heirloom Seeds

Is It Spring Yet?

This is the garden from just 2 days ago.

Luckily the temperatures have been near or above 60 degrees

and most of the snow is gone.

Of course tomorrow is supposed to be 31 degrees

but at least there's no snow.

All the warmer weather and the sight of grass greening up

and crocus and daffodils popping up

had me dreaming of the veggie garden.

So I placed an order.  

Big E better be ready to get dirty, 

there's going to be a lot of planting going on.

The Solstice Already?

Today is the shortest day of the year: the winter solstice. And today I received the first new seed catalog. Spring is almost here! 

New Fall Seeds

I received my latest order of seeds yesterday and can't wait to get them in the ground. Because I've managed to use my canner and not blow anyone up, I've become adventurous and plan on attempting to make my own sauerkraut. So I have 2 varieties of cabbage to try. I also have Autumn King carrots, Dwarf Curled Scotch Kale, Siberian Dwarf Kale and a beet blend. All these were ordered through Annie's Heirloom Seeds. I wasn't too impressed with the germination of the kale and cabbage seeds I got from Seed Savers so I'm giving this new company a try. Now to talk Big E into building a couple of poly tunnels...

Around the Corner

It's 13 degrees outside, -1 with the windchill.  

Got the chickens all closed up in their coop and run. 

 January and February are always the dreariest parts of the winter.  

That's why I love seed catalogs. 

They always show up when you need them too

so you can plan and dream about the Spring.

So, I'm thinking about my garden.

Last year, it sort of got neglected.  I managed to fix the blossom rot problem on my tomatoes only to then have issues with splitting because of the sporadic heavy rains.

Then there were the squash bugs.

I have some ideas for the coming season-

like possibly doing away with rows and going to plant groupings instead.

Ultimately, I hope to can tons of veggies.

Here's to Spring!