Starting Seeds

It has been a few years since I started my own seeds.  With the limited window space at our old place, my poor little plants were stringy and weak.  This house has some nice south facing windows on the third floor that I want to try for seed starting.  It is warm enough that the cat fights to be up there as much as possible.

This year, I'm looking at starting some non-GMO and heirloom seeds to put out in the garden.  Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds sent me a free catalog that is both colorful and inspiring.  Of course, there is still Johnny's Selected Seeds.  They, too, have some great varieties.  I'm working on my lists...dreaming of a beautiful pest-free, weed-free, abundant garden this summer.

This Mother Earth News article on seed starting was found at 3Breeze Homestead's Facebook page.  The article offers 11 steps for starting your own seeds.  There is a wealth of information on seed selection, timing of planting, as well as lighting.

While I wait for a cold frame, I may use some clear plastic storage containers to not only keep the little babies warm, but also make it easier to move them around from warm, sunny window to the outdoors, when appropriate.

(from the gardenweb.com)

The wind is howling and the temperature dropped from 67 degrees yesterday to 22 degrees right now.  Checking out seed catalogs on a winter's day makes spring feel right around the corner.  Well, almost.

What will you discover when you turn your eyes in dependence upon the Lord?  You'll find him gazing back at you, eagerly waiting to bless.  Upon tiring of fighting with pigs for food, the Prodigal Son had finally 'come to himself' and begun the journey home.  I'm sure that as he walked, he searched intently for some sign of his house in the distance.  But he wasn't the only one who was seeking.  'But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him' (Luke 15).  While we're still far away, his compassion overwhelms him and he runs toward us!  He is not standing around waiting for us to come to him properly sorry.  He doesn't allow us to come to him as hired servants.  No, if we're going to return to him, then he is going to enjoy the pleasure of graciously blessing us with all the riches of full sonship.

--Elyse Fitzpatrick