Spring is definitely here! So here we go on our Gardening series. My parents have always had a awesome garden growing up and those are some of the best memories of summer is helping them. So in 2020 I started to grow little seeds into plants. There was many reasons. First was because my little nephew came along and I want to start making awesome memories with him and my future children just like my parents did with me. The other reasons being it was a crazy time where we all of us didn't know what was going on. So we took up extra hobbies, this one is very enjoyable to me. I like also being able to harvest our own goods all summer long. There's nothing better than to harvest your own food and herbs and put them right into your food. It just tastes so good!
So with the knowledge of my parents and what we've learned in the four years since I figured its a great add to the blog this spring, summer, and fall. Welcome to the gardening series of the Salty Blonde. Lets start at the beginning of little seeds.
Its mid to the end of April and its pushing to being to late to start the little seeds. But Its super easy and anyone can do it. The awesome little greenhouse Is from Aldi's and I got it years ago they're pretty affordable about $50. These pop up greenhouses are pretty much anywhere now too and around the same price too.
I've been collecting different seeds for months now. My advice is get the seeds you like you don't have to spend tons of money on the either. I ordered a couple packs of seed on amazon one of different herbs, one just of different basil seeds, and one of different cucumbers. The rest of the seeds are from dollar tree and I think my brother picked some up at ace.
So when it was time to start planting I got all the seeds in order. My dad and Husband, Zach, got the greenhouse set up along with all the starter pots and trays out. The great thing about them is you can usually collect them and reuse them year after year. My mom and I also ran to Sam's Club and got two bags of MiracleGro Moisture Control Potting Mix. It's the cheapest place to get two giant bags, so it's perfect to use. Some people like to use a starter mix soil and feel free to do that if you want. But I have found this works well also and you definitely get more bang for your buck.
So when we got back with everything, It was time to start. I was antsy to get everything planted at once so I ended up planting everything for about 3.5 hours on a Saturday afternoon. With help from the whole family that were popping in and out. I was definitely exhausted after that. Just a heads up so if you decide to do that too. Or I recommend if you have a lot to plant split it up into a few days.
I started with a few flowers that I grabbed just two packets each of sunflowers, blue boys, and blue buttons. I decided to just plant them to have them. If they come up they come up if they don't, oh well.
Next was veggie time! I never had much luck with tomatoes and peppers. They do grow they're just not as good as the ones we get from out local greenhouses. (Stay tunned for a couple different local greenhouses hauls.) So I did opt out of the tomatoes and peppers this year. What I did plant was viney plants I've done well with them in the past. So what got planted was eggplant, yellow summer squash, zucchini, and 5 different types of cucumbers. That includes lemon, munching, straight eight, pickling, and Armenian.
After those were planted it was onto the Herbs. We love having a huge herb garden in the season. With tons of different options to flavor our foods. So when planting seeds I love to give us tons of options. I'm sure we will also buy a few more from the greenhouses too.
What I did plant is a long list. This includes:
Dill
Parsley
Cilantro
Chives
Fennel
Thyme
Rosemary
Sage
Oregano
Catnip (Our indoor/outdoor cat love it all summer long)
Basil
Italian Sweet
Italian Large Leaf
Lemon
Lime
Holy green
Thai
Opal
After a long process they all got planted. I ended up planting the chives, dill, some basil, and cilantro straight into a pot. I never did this concept before so I will post update on how that goes.
The way I plant them is super easy. I fill the starter pots about 3/4s of the way full put the seeds in and then fill it the rest of the way full with soil. I made sure I labeled each plant with their plant markers and put them on the shelves. I will go back eventually and better position them and I like to rotate them periodically. Finishing up the set up with my grow light that I have on a timer from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Hoping for the best this growing season like I do every year. I love to see what will happen and really love to harvest and enjoy the abundance. Hopefully I have you wondering what you can grow. Grow along with me and let me know if you have any tips or if I gave you any ideas. I have links to supplies I have used If you would like to see.
It's definitely a fun activity for our family in the season and we love to cook with our harvest. I can't wait to share with all of you in the gardening series. Happy gardening!
Basil Seed Pack
Cucumber Seed Pack
Herb Seed Pack
Pop up Greenhouse
Seed Starter Pots
Plant markers
Grow Light