Back on March 29th, I got my seeds started. Roughly 140ish actually. At the time, I was traveling with work and couldn't watch the pot boil. However, they did sprout.
Two weeks after that, here's what they looked like:
Do you see how many made it??? Junked'em
So I started over hoping and praying that I would have time to recover. It was mid-April at that point. Here we are at mid-May and this is what I have:
Many of these also either never sprouted or sprouted and then kicked it. I even switched the mix. This is only the second time I have tried seeds. Now I remember why. It's doubtful I will have much to salvage at this point and for those of them that are 'up', they are rather puny.
Looks like I will be hitting a greenhouse yet another year. My visions of seed saving and an entirely heirloom garden just flitted right out the window...along with my $$$.
Bummer
That is such terrible luck! What brand of seeds are you using? Are they old? You know, last year, I tried an heirloom brand and they barely sprouted, and then this year, I tried the EXACT same seeds again because, what the heck, I already had them, and every single one sprouted. EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! I blame it on my old basement. I say it is just luck of the draw. Don't give up!!!
ReplyDeleteDont give up on the puny ones. Once they hit the garden they will grow like crazy. And some seeds take forever to germinate. I had a few that I figured would never germinate, but I was to lazy to empty the cell, well 1 1/2 months later they sprouted and came up. So you never know. Dont give up yet.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up - I think that's pretty darn good for a gal who got a late start and had work commitments away from home AND is a beginner - you did GOOD! Just keep a track of what was a colossal failure and what grew well so you can refer to it next year. I've found what's easy is just to get a cheap clearance or dollar store calendar and jot notes on it and keep it on your desk so you can make quick notes like "WOW these are awesome" or WOW, these SUCK!" LOL... it's amazing what you can forget when next winter rolls around and you get distracted by the garden porn in the mailbox!
ReplyDeleteBummer! I say keep at it as well. If at first you don't succeed...try...try...again! And I know you will! This mama can't wait for your garden to grow! Yum!
ReplyDeleteGarden porn: ha! So true! :) I was going to suggest going to both Erin & Mama Pea for help. They're the two most successful gardeners I know . . . AND who start things from seed!
ReplyDeleteTiny, I got all my seeds from Baker or Johnny's. I am certain it's just beginners luck or "operator error" on my part.
ReplyDeleteJane, yup, I have noticed that a couple of the cells that I thought were long gone have indeed sprouted. Which is just a big ole tease if you ask me. So you are saying go ahead and set them even though they are itsy bitsy?
Erin, BAHHHAAHA! You got me good on that one! Garden Porn!! We should make a list of what is considered pornographic to us Homesteader Types. I did get my 4foot binder like you said and -yup I picked up a notebook too way back then. But like you said, I haven't written in it! Oops, best do that!!!
Jan, if only my seeds and garden skills came as quickly as sewing (your words not mine), I'd be alright, huh?
I shall soldier on then!!!
ChickenMama, ya know, I got a Seed Starter 'how to' so that I wouldn't have to constantly suck the information out of everyones head, but with work and all, I admit not much of it got read. Therefore, have straw will suck ;)
ReplyDeleteAw, darlin' girl, don't feel bad. You can laugh if you want, but I think good vibrations have a lot to do with it. Your seeds were feeling lonely and unprotected. But what else could you do this year? You had your work commitments and simply weren't home to talk to them and baby them. I really do think starting seeds is an easy task. There will always be some that don't germinate but by and large, it's the way to go. Having said that, this year is a first for you in other things. Next spring you'll do much better, I just know. Do stick with the seeds that have germinated and started to grow. Jane's right, once they are in the garden, they will take root and take off. We all try to do too much and then are too hard on ourselves when we think we "fail." So chin up, Bucko! Your garden is going to be fantastic this year even if you have to purchase started plants.
ReplyDeleteI am with you - I have never had luck starting seeds. But I think that Mama Pea is right - they have to be coddled, cooed at and fussed over and I tend to plant them and zing off in another direction. But I also plan to keep trying, once I find a cat-free zone to put them. Don't give up!
ReplyDeletewhat about the judge
ReplyDeleteMamaPea, thanks for the encouragement! I will plant them regardless then! Not much point in trying to transplant them into other containers now, huh? I suppose I should start setting them outside a bit??
ReplyDeleteSusan, glad to hear I am not the lonely one! Some people talk to their plants, play music for them etc. Maybe Pig Pen's voice wasn't what they wanted to hear? lol!
Anonymous, soooo you think I should have target practice with them??? :0)
I sat in a greenhouse today and wondered why I keep starting my own when I can get GORGEOUS plants for about 25 cents a piece. Well, ya know what it is??? Long winters---endlessly long, and starting those seeds keeps me going. So though mine are spindly and not nearly as nice as the ones in the greenhouse....they represent sanity in the cold cold north.
ReplyDeleteKeep trying. And yea, if it doesn't work---there is always the Home Depot with 99 cent 4 packs of any veggie you could want.
Best of luck to you-keep trying.
Sue, you are absolutely right! What a great way of looking at it! Thanks!!! And will do!
ReplyDeleteHeck, I started my basil early and just planted it out last week. Mine is smaller than yours! I'm not worried, I know how fast it will take off once it gets some time in the garden. Looks like parsley there, too. It has plenty of time to grow. Go ahead, harden those babies off and plant them!
ReplyDeleteGirlfriend...you were gone for MONTHS! I think the fact you had any seeds sprout...and live...is a good thing! Maybe you will have better luck next year. I bet you are SO happy to be home and in your garden :-)
ReplyDeleteJen, it's amazing how you just keep trodding thru and then once you are done and HOME, you realize just how much you needed to be HOME. And dirty.
ReplyDelete