A Gardener's Diary

[Monksdream]

Feb. 15-The morning rain quit by 10. By the time I walked to the bus stop from the train station the clouds were breaking up. After feeding the cats I went inside the greenhouse. More lettuce seeds had germinated. I'm making the progress I'd hoped for. I brought a 12 pack of Bud Light for Snapper. Woodie's was out of six packs. That should hold him for two months' worth of lumber sawing.

This morning I ordered pepper seeds from chileplants.com. Five varieties:
Alma Paprika, Marconi Golden, Quadrato 'd Asti Rosso, and Sheepnose Pimento. The site suggested I try saltpetre, which is nothing more than potassium nitrate, to loosen the seed casings. So I did.

The soil was too wet, and I was too cold to the bone to do any digging. I opted, instead, to take the train and walk to Lowe's for artichoke seed and perlite. I could have sworn I saw a packet of seed in the rack. I returned with the perlite and items from the Publix across the street.

CC the Calico Cat has a fascination for the pipes in the rear corner of the property. She followed me this morning and stay there all day. I walked back there in the afternoon, called for her, and out she came to follow me back to the feeding station.

Artichoke seed are hard to find locally, so I put in an order with Baker Creek Seed for Green Globe. I added a packet of cippolini onion and a packet of Moon and Stars watermelon seed, one of the most popular heirloom watermelons.

Tomorrow will be cold and breezy. I will take the 27 to Dollar General for some seed starting mix I like.

If the spirit moves me Friday, I will till the lettuce bed.