2012 Flowers #1: I gardened!!!

Feb 24/12

I have had my hands in soil; I have planted some seeds! Oh yah. Now, 2012 can begin :)

 

The Seeds: delphiniums; butterfly weed

The Source: William Dam Seeds

 

The Potting
Last year I purchased some wicking material from Lee Valley and although I liked the method, I thought I’d do a variation this year.

Last year’s method:
1. made a water reservoir from the material provided
2. set a “shelf” (an old cutting board) into the reservoir, propped up by some tupperware
3. covered the shelf with wicking material, with a piece hanging down into the water
4. placed the seed pots on the shelf
5. kept my eye on the reservoir as well as the seed pots (those near the window would dry out if I wasn’t careful)

The shelf didn’t fit well and I wanted to create a more effective set-up this year.

Now the time has come and I’m a wee bit lazy, plus I couldn’t find the material I was going to use so I’ve opted for a back-up plan for these early seeds.

• I took an old recycled plastic food container (I know, I know—shouldn’t have come into my house!!) but, there it was and I saved it to re-use.
• I cut a slot in one side of the lid for the wicking material and a hole in the other for filling it with water.
• I cut a strip of the wicking material, sticking one end into the water and the other end into a flower pot.
• I added the dirt, the seeds, and some plastic wrap for the seed starting/ greenhouse effect.

And now I cross my fingers, waiting to see if the wicking system will keep the soil moist and that the lids don’t collapse under the weight.

FEEDBACK and SUGGESTIONS are greatly appreciated!!
 

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan