Earth Day

I approach growing my first garden with both a sense of bold optimism and a deep understanding that not a single vegetable will come out of this endeavor.

As is my nature, I often throw myself into something wholeheartedly that I may not have thought everything through beforehand. For instance, my initial step was to go to the store and buy ten different kinds of seeds, a potting tray, and soil. Then, I came home and read the gardening books and blogs that all recommended starting small.

My next step was to read the back of all the seeds to see which said to plant in the potter and fill up the thing with dirt and seeds. Then, I happily went along buying even more seeds (and being gifted them - Thanks Elliott!). A week went by until I read in my gardening book that I should have started three of my plants outside already.

But no matter, I will be growing a wild, diverse garden that may end in nothing more than someone else's compost. I would be fine with that, knowing that I had tried and at least spent a bunch of money and time along the way. I'd like to document this journey both for myself, and perhaps other first time gardeners.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite Wendell Berry lines:

Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.

To Recap:

Saturday 4/9 (I think) - I planted in the seedling tray - two kinds of cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, jalapenos, eggplant.

Monday 4/10 - I root around in the dirt and pull up a seed to see what it looks like so far. A small tendril has started to unfurl itself from the seed. Pretty cool. Dave tells me to leave it alone. His patience is amplified by this ability to deal with my impatience.

Wednesday 4/13 - I awake to an exciting discovery. 

I actually gasped when I lifted up the cover (more on this later). I know that the seed is doing exactly what it's supposed to do when exposed to heat, water, and soil, but somehow this is still a magical feeling. This small, delicate seedling sprouted from the soil and was reaching for the sun.

Thursday 4/14 - When I had bought my seedling tray, it came with a black cover and a clear bottom water tray... I thought. I thought the clear water tray was to see how much water was dripping out and the black cover was to keep the heat in... well... nevermind what I thought, but boy was my face tomato red when I realized my plants weren't getting any sunlight....

Sunday 4/17 - I can't resist it and I buy more seeds. I dig up some of the extra seedlings and plant Black Krim tomatoes.

Thursday 4/21 - I read in a book that I should have started my butternut squash a couple weeks ago. I dig up some extra seedlings and plant butternut.

Friday 4/22 - I read in a book that I should have started my spinach already. I buy a plastic pot and plant spinach.

And now, I wait until next Friday when my parents will arrive with some gardening gear, and when I should have the soil test results back from the soil sample I sent to the University of Vermont. Then I'll know what I need to mix into my dirt patch and will have the tools to do so!

Until then ... look at these beautiful seedlings. Reaching, reaching towards a backyard that will soon be the place where they grow roots and then vegetables to feed me and my man. They have no idea what lies ahead of them only that they can see the sunlight and they want it.