Obsession and observation

eggplant coming from seed 

Ridge gourd (beerakaya)

watermelon coming from seed

Indian broad beans (chikkudu) coming out of seed

if you want to go through all my garden work step by step, you could go to 
labels -> veggie garden 

{photos taken by Me}

part 3 -sprouts

these are Brussels sprouts, i sow them 3 days ago,  happy to see them!
if you want start from the seed check part1 and part2

Gardening requires a lot of patience and the attitude of accepting failures, you plant seeds and you get sprouts out of them most of the time, but not "all" the time, that's really annoying, starting all over again is the only option and you are loosing precious growing season or missing the entire crop for that year!

so when you see sprouts coming from the seeds that's a 

sign of relief, but still you have to transplant them, protect from pests, weather and finally the tasting.....looooong road ahead:)

Brussels sprouts

i bought Brussels, garlic, pepper seeds from seed savers exchange, it is a non profit organization, they sell heirloom seeds exchanged by member's ancestors from all over the world and those seeds are dated way back in the 1800's and SSE folks are passionate and acquainted about what they are doing. when you have place, little time and patience why not buy seeds from them and start a tiny garden.



American supermarkets are 
filled with hybrid, look alike veggies and they taste like pesticides. i notice, people aware of it, but there is no other choice but accept commercial markets, especially working, busy families and due to winter months. Apples, oranges, grapes are available through out the year and they look like plastic toys in the display, no blemishes or clumsy. in small farms or back yard garden that is impossible but the choice of veggies you grow, health, taste, IS promising :)

one seed, one plant, one pot at a time.

happy gardening!

{photos taken by me}

seed starting-part 2

In seed starting
part 1

i talked about choosing seeds, cells, seed starter mix, now we will go to next level, how to plant the seeds.

soak seeds (ridge gourd, chikkudu beans(Indian broad beans) pumpkin) in plain water at least 12 hours before planting (if you soak them overnight, the next day you have plenty of time to work on planting) soaking will protect seeds from fungus, gourds and beans must absorb overnight. 

meanwhile make labels (Popsicle sticks are economical, from dollar store) with date and plant name, leave the bottom space empty since it goes in to dirt, use permanent marker, they stay bright and clean. 

rest of the seeds which is not required soaking {mint, coriander, methi (fenugreek), eggplant, tomato, Brussels, chili, cucumber(dosakaya) gongoora} plant them in cells

 
fill the cells evenly with seed starting mix covering each corner, when putting seeds inside check the package suggestion for depth, tap the tray and 

water them soaking with Luke warm water, label immediately because all baby plants look same (for me especially) cover tray with lid bring it inside and put it near vent so hot air keeps the cells warm.

if you don't have containers with lid, that's ok you just need plastic wrap to cover and put it in the warm place, in a week or so, little water beads form inside, at this time remove the plastic wrap or lid and expose to sun light and at night bring it inside, don't let the cells dry keep them moist.

it looks like a lot of work but once you hang of it, it's just a piece of cake, organizing and patience is key here, do the process outside so dirt stay outside, make sure the tray under the cells is not leaking or spilling with water:)
Now you just

 wait and wait and wait.......for baby plants 
this is the real test for me, being patience.

 i am planning to update each stage, so stay tune;)

{photos by me}
 

seed starting-part 1

spring is around the corner and i am getting ready for veggie garden with seed starter. i used to wonder why anybody wants to start from seed when there are garden centers full of plants. 

what do i know, right? after i started my tiny veggie garden in my backyard about 2 years ago i realized the lack of variety in those garden centers, started gardening 2 years ago with one tomato plant, last year i added 6 varieties now i am planning 24 varieties, and yes! i am a freaky gardener now. since i am from India i don't find any of my Indian veggie plants in local garden center. 

i have to buy seeds and in mini greenhouse i have to grow them indoors, when warm outside i transplant them in the garden, it's a lot of work and planning but i AM a gardener and i hooked with just putting a seed in the ground and getting abundance out of it is a overwhelming joy for me.
today is march 11th and in Cleveland the temperature is 61F and it is beautiful outside, but at night temperatures are dropping and not good for heat loving plants and most Indian veggies require warm climate. so if i start from seed right now indoors, when the ground get warm through out night in May, i am good to go with grownup plants and ready to plant in the ground. head start a month or two early and get the veggies one extra month later, that's the idea :)

all winter i saved my kids cookie boxes with lids to recycle as seed starters. all i need is seed starting soil mix and some 
seeds, peat pots- very cheap, {i bought 5 strip pack for $ 2.oo in wal-mart and they are biodegrades made from compressed peat and entire pot can be planted in the ground and they eliminate transplant shock.} and watering can.

if you are organized and head to store as early as March you could get all things in discount prices to start planting seeds. back of the seed packets they give the suggestions how early you have to start indoors and calculate according to that to your local weather. some seeds you could sow directly in to the ground so read carefully and follow that. 

{photos taken by me}