Two weeks ago, I planted seeds. And they’re sprouting! Yes, I know this is how nature is supposed to work, but I’m still pretty new at this so it’s nice to see things working as intended.
Impatiens at the bottom. Slacker seeds: lavender, rosemary, mint.
The tomatoes were first to sprout. Shortly after, the peppers, basil, dill, and impatiens sprouted. The tomatoes quickly grew too tall for the little greenhouse so I moved them into a foil tray. And, because I have been an idiot in the past, I started labeling the base of the foil tray so I know what is what.
Cherry tomato plant goes here.
It was in the 70s two days this week and I used that opportunity to check on last year’s thyme plant. Sweet merciful crap! It’s still alive! I trimmed back some of the less healthy stems, but I think I have myself a permanent thyme bush now.
I moved the daisies to the front porch, but the winter was not kind to them. I trimmed the dead branches down to the dirt level. Maybe they’ll grow back? They’re supposed to be perennials.
And I have garlic in a pot out front that I planted last fall. The Internet tells me that they went dormant over winter, and I’ll have some garlic to harvest in early summer.
This weekend, I’m going to buy some wood to build a raised box for the yard. I also want a wheelbarrow, but that might be overkill.
Sunday: I’m glad I live in a heated home because it’s never going to get warm again, is it?
Monday: Work from home day on another day with a wintry commute!
Tuesday: My half birthday. I’m still here and still healthy.
Wednesday: Going to be vague here, but I identified something that has been causing me anxiety lately. Knowing what that issue is makes me feel better. (Grammarly hates that sentence, but has no good suggestions for it.) I hate the weird handwavy feeling of being anxious about something that you can’t put your finger on.
Thursday: TNP supplied us with breakfast and lunch, as well as a coffee cup to celebrate the inaugural National Hospitalist Day. I brought the cup home with designs to turn it into a flowerpot because I have so many mugs. NB: I realize it’s hella easy to find where I work, but I don’t want this creaky blog to show up when people search for my workplace.
Friday: My manager who has been with TNP for only 2 months had the awkward task of doing my yearly review. It’s good! Relief!
Saturday: Today the first of my seedlings sprouted. Cherry Tomatoes! After a week of sad, it was nice to see that life does find a way. 🙂
I had a really good experience with my herb garden last year. I stuck with it and watered it every morning and weeded it every night and it worked.
This year, Angry Man Farm is going BIGGER. You can tell I’m serious because now … I HAVE A NOTEBOOK.
BIGGER!
In addition to the 2 raised herb boxes I already have, I’m going to build a 2×4 foot raised bed for the yard. I’m going to … somehow … wrap it in chicken wire so the rabbits, squirrels, and Murphys can’t get in and eat my seedlings. Note: I don’t know how to do any of that yet, but that’s a question for next month and if I get stuck trying to figure that out, I’ll never move forward.
Last month I ordered a sunlight meter because I have no idea how much sunlight various parts of the yard receives in a day. On the second day of measurements Murphy broke the meter so we are going with “part sun” and hoping for the best.
I fretted over which seeds to buy that wouldn’t give any profit to Monsanto, but after a week of comparing I just went to Burpee and ordered a bunch of seeds. When I’m better at this I’ll go for the heirlooms from independent seed shops.
Herb boxes
This plan is for the 2 herb boxes. This year I’ll be planting:
Oregano
Rosemary
Dill
Parsley
Lavender
Mint
Funny enough, my thyme plant from last year never completely died, even with the snow and muck. When it gets warmer, I’ll trim off the dead branches and see if I can get it to grow back. If it doesn’t, I’ll plant a new thyme.
I laughed at my father when he did this very thing this decades ago.
In the 2×4 raised bed, I’m planting:
Regular tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Basil
Cilantro
Sweet peppers
Jalapeno peppers
Carrots
I’m planting cucumbers into a large pot, and I still have garlic bulbs from the fall in another pot.
Out front, I’m planting red and white impatiens and California bluebells.
About half of the seeds need to be started inside. My original plan was to start the seedlings in the garage, but it’s been cold AF and I was afraid they’d freeze. Instead, they’re up in the guest room in this cute little tray.
and room for more!
How do I know which plant is where? I HAVE A NOTEBOOK!
I just realized the tray is upside down in the photo.
My 2019 garden goals are simple:
To can ONE JAR of tomatoes for the winter
To have more basil in the freezer for winter
To harvest vegetables that I will actually eat
To have enough food that I can give some away
I’m pulling a lot of my guidance this year from the Sow Generous challenge at The Art of Doing Stuff.
Next month, I go into the garage and BUILD. But for now, did I mention I HAVE A NOTEBOOK?
Glad you figured out what’s causing your anxiety. Happy weekend!