It seems like Spring isn’t just right around the corner – It’s this week! Most of the seedlings shot up to impressive heights (except the peppers, who seem quite sleepy when it’s cold out). All the plants are showing signs of getting over winter, and the week has had as much time above 50F (10C) than below it. While the seedlings work their magic indoors, the outdoors plants are shaking off their winter woes. Except the cress, who don’t seem to care what the season is – it’s growth all day, all the way.
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1
Cress are going cressy! I meant to say crazy, but I can’t avoid a terrible plant pun. I sewed these seeds directly into a long self-watering pot (the kind that has the reservoir on the bottom that absolutely floods when it rains). Alongside it had been a few other seed varieties, but only these cress have sprouted. Over January and February, they’ve turned into such a big patch of greens that I’m not sure what to do with them. Now that spring is right around the corner, it’s probably about the right time to figure out how I want to eat them – before they grow even more!
2
The olive tree is showing some new growth at the end of winter. New leaf bundles are showing up on all the branches in bright green dabs. I’m hoping the tree will start to turn a little more shrubby; I’m a fan of a wild olive tree. I’m not sure how large this pot will allow it to grow, but I’m hoping that this may finally be the year it grows enough to bear some olives.
3
The sunflower had to be transplanted. The tiny 1” seed-starting terra cotta pot filled up with roots, so it was time to move it somewhere a little larger. In the past, I’ve had the habit of putting seedlings into pots that are a little bigger than they can handle. I’m hoping that this time I’ll step it up at the right times, and into pots that don’t overwhelm the seedling. I only have one sunflower seedling right now, and I’m going to treat it very carefully.
4
The tomatoes are becoming proper plants and need to be pruned down again. I’m not sure how long I can leave these seedlings to grow in their current environment before they start to get stunted or weak. The next step will be to prune each seedling pod down to one tomato. One of each variety will go into a medium-sized pot, and one of each will go outside (mostly to see how they handle the transplanting, and to free up some room). Two of each variety will go to a friend, who has a proper outdoors earth-dirt garden.
5
It’s time to divide the Boston Fern. Spring is right around the corner, and I want to give the fern plenty of chance to grow into its new home. When I divide the fern, I’m planning to put one half in a rectangular planter that will come to work with me (new desk plant!), while the other half will go back into its wall-hanger home to refill the pot.
6
The peppers have finally sprouted, more than a week behind the tomatoes. They’re coming up a little slower than the tomatoes had – though they’ll also grow into a longer-lasting, woody shrub (hopefully – as long as the winters don’t do too much damage again). I haven’t grown Shishito peppers before, so I’m determined not to repeat my prior pepper mistakes – poor watering practices, keeping the soil too damp, and packing too many pepper plants into one pot. This time, the pepper will get a pot all to itself. I may have to dump all the dirt out and re-line the bottom with rocks to allow better drainage.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you had a pleasant time checking out the plants. If you’re in the mood for more nature, please stay in touch!
Mindful Foliage 