Starting Seeds

Yesterday I began starting the first seeds for the garden. I only had the supplies from the big box store that were worth about 25 plants and some clearance from the local East Atlanta Ace Hardware (I know that Ace is a chain but the East Atlanta Ace has the single best customer service of any business I've ever been to, if you leave anywhere near East Atlanta or the Virginia Highlands I recommend Ace over a big box any day of the week). In all I had enough soil and pots to start 55 plants. I choose things for several criteria. The most important was when they could stand the weather. It wouldn't make much sense to start cucumbers, for example, in February for an early April planting since they won't grow well until the summer. Another key factor was the time it takes to germinate. Peppers, it turns out, take AT LEAST 8 weeks before they are ready to transplant into the ground. For those I'm already late. Another key factor was likability. I'm hoping that my roommate will get interested in the garden to help with planting, watering, weeding and buying supplies. Therefore I made sure to plant things that I know he would be sure to be interested in, mainly hot peppers.

In the end I've started seeds for Serrano Peppers, Cascabella Peppers, Red Amposta onions, Rosemary and a Hybrid Broccoli. I've started 10 pots for each (except the rosemary which only got 5). I've also ordered a grow light to help the little seedlings out when they sprout. If this has tought me one thing so far its patience. It will be at least a week before any of these seeds germinate, but I've already found myself checking on their moisture every few hours. I'm already planning on starting more seeds sometime soon and hopefully at the end of February I'll get my chance to plant some Lettuce and Spinach seeds in the actual beds. The last projected frost for Atlanta is April 10th and I'm counting down the days!