Sod this, I'm Preparing for Spring

The advantage to a cold winter is that Spring looks all the better. 

Happy New Year everyone, by the way.

I refuse to acknowledge this cold wave we're having (we get a reprieve today (Jan 1) and tomorrow then after another week of mid -20s (Celsius) those who never get it right are giving everyone hope by saying it will be in the range of 0C (32F) for about a week -- I'll believe it when I see it.

Good news for the chickens though, I will leave their coop door open today and tomorrow for some much needed fresh air. I've had to keep them cooped up (pun intended) due to the extreme -40C temps. (-40C is also -40F for anyone who doesn't know -- also known as 'Damn Cold')

We decided to start planning our garden...

So because we want to learn to save our own seeds, I ordered this book which comes highly recommended by numerous homesteading peeps.

We need this book because every veg/plant, etc has different times/ways to save the seeds, for some the seeds are saved early in the growth and for others you let a few of them grow long past picking before saving the seeds.

Seed to Seed

We have 1 of these standing storage racks but to ensure it is the same size as the other I have ordered 2 of them to snug side by side.

Storage rack for seed trays

(I noted the price increased $5 since I ordered them yesterday)

And a lesson learned from last year when I started all our starts but then had to buy a bunch of starts because they didn't get strong enough even with the greenhouse.... this year, grow lights!

Full spectrum LED grow lights

As for the seeds, as you may know - if you plan to save seeds you need heirloom seeds (ie non-gmo) as the gmo seeds are sprayed and processed in such a way that they do not propagate well. By buying only heirloom seeds we ensure the heritage of the seeds, 'Purebred' seeds if you will.

Here in Alberta, there are a few heirloom seed companies and I chose to order from Heirloom Seed Vault and Wildrose Heritage Seed Company.

It is also worth noting that when buying seeds, you should always try to buy locally because by way of example, tomatoe seeds sold in Alabama will not be as hearty as those sold in Alberta, not to mention the much shorter growing season here.

Everyone should try to grow something, even if its just a few small herbs in the kitchen window, or a single tomatoe plant on the veranda. It gives you a sense of something.... I can't quite put my finger on, but suffice to say it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. A huge garden like we tend to do is not necessary for everyone but having a plant growing somewhere just, well... feels right for us. And many typical house plants are edible too... multi purpose. Not to mention the many many that are just growing wild outside your door, yes YOUR door, every door, free for the taking, and often medicinal.

May your next salad be wild! 

And the seeds are off...

I went to GIRO (re-store) the other day (Stacey couldn't go) and while waiting in the line to get inside I saw this.... off to the side.

Well, I had been looking for a bird feeder but they are so damn expensive... this was $8, and its huge.

Sold.

This is where it will hang under the upper deck. I think. I don't want it on the edge because it will get wet... am I right? Open to suggestion. I am keeping it on the BBQ during the day for awhile so the birds will recognize it when it hangs. Hence the fabric under it so they don't poop all over out BBQ cover.

With spring on the horizon....

I planted the first of the seeds.

Kind of like Alfalfa this broccoli should be edible for me (IBS)

The first lot of seeds - 6 pods deep 

I planted 1 row each of:

Brussel Sprouts, Leek, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme,

and 3 rows each of both Red and Yellow onions.

These are the seeds which need to be sown this early. I have a spreadsheet I made which I can follow to know when to plant and how often to repeat for each seed. Next lot gets started in March and that will be Carrots, Green onions, Jalapeno, Green/Red peppers, Radishes, Kale and Spinach. Then April is Basil, Tomatoes, Dill, Peas, Beets. May brings Corn, Beans and Cucumbers, I can repeat Peas again in July.

The trick will be not sowing too many as we have limited garden space. I have found a website where I can design the layout of the garden. It will design it I should say. Which is great because some stuff doesn't grow well beside other stuff and if a computer can suss that out for me, I'm all about it! I have to go and measure the garden first and I found it at 5am, so I'm waiting until the sun is up a bit. The website will send email reminders of when to fertilize, water, etc each item.... and its localized to your positioning on the globe. Sounds good to me. Keep you posted.