1. In The Grips Of Winter

We are still firmly in the grips of winter. Soon it will be time to start the tomatoes and peppers inside.

Stay tuned for instructions on how to extend your growing season using an inexpensive fluorescent light fixture and some shelves. 

Can't wait to play in the dirt!

Dreaming of spring!

My front yard last summer

Time to take stock of seeds from last year and visit the seed supplier. Choose a reputable supplier. 

Often the larger chain stores have old stock. Buy local.

As you can see, it needs to melt a little bit more. 

 Do your homework and find out when you should be starting your plants. What zone do you live in? How many frost free days does your area have? What varieties of plants do well in your area? These are some questions that you should answer before buying your seeds. Try contacting the extension division of your local university or ask a neighbour who is experienced. Gardeners love to talk about their gardens and will freely share their knowledge with you.

Take tomatoes, for example. There are literally hundreds of varieties. Each one with different characteristics. Some produce fruit(yes, tomatoes are a fruit) in 60 days some take 80 days or longer to produce. Some have a higher sugar content than others. Some have lots of seeds and some are more pulpy. There have been varieties developed that grow best in your area. Find out which ones are for you. 

This weekend I cleaned up my shelves, sorted my seeds, cleaned up my containers and made a list for the seed suppliers. I have commandeered a small space in my utility room where I have installed two inexpensive shelves and two inexpensive two-bulb shop florescent light fixtures.

Planting starts next weekend! Yaaay! Spring is coming. I have found that if you live in a part of the world where winter lasts 5 or 6 months people embrace warm weather with a certain enthusiasm not found in more temperate areas.

apple tree against garage wall, espalier pruning technique 

The shelves are prepped and waiting for soil and seeds. They're not  pretty, but they get the job done.

grow lights with shelves