Planting yet?

Assembly Line for fully upcycled seed pots.

Have you started your planting yet? Are you planning? Starting seeds? I'm starting earlier this year than ever before.  Especially after living in the Florida panhandle for four years, I appreciate the long, slow Spring we enjoy here in Middle Tennessee. We've got a few cold snaps in us yet, of course, but things are growing, trees are budding and life is poking forth again. 

First Crocus - Feb 20

I have a little microclimate going on in my front beds, keeping them warm enough that strawberry plants can overwinter there. Based on this observation, I began planting early spring seeds outdoors at the end of January: broccoli, peas, carrots. I've been planting new seeds weekly to see what sprouts when. I also added some greens into consecutive plantings. I've determined that this year, I want to learn more about complimentary plantings. I'm already sold on mixing flowers and veggies and really dig the beauty of the Kitchen Garden in my flowerbeds.

Daffodils - Feb 23

Coming up so far are lots of peas, carrot tops, spinach plants, broccoli seedlings and a few lettuces. Inside, I've started more broccoli, leeks, snapdragons and eggplant. I'm gradually starting more new things weekly, with help from the kids. I got the tomatoes going a little too early last year, so made notes in my planner this year to keep things a little more orderly. 

Forsythia - brought inside late Jan

My new favorite early Spring activity is forcing woody branches. Thus far I've only done forsythia, but I have some baby redbuds that should be mature enough to trim back in another couple of years. Here, you can see the view above my computer (yes, that's a still-red poinsettia in the background).