I've Sown my Seed!

Late yesterday I came down with the flu, so being homebound today was the perfect opportunity to sow my vegetable seedlings for transplant after the last frost.

Now there seems to be some slight variation in suggested planting schedules from all the various sources I found on the net, but I figure if I start most of the items I want to grow from seed now, they should all be ready come mid-April, which is when our last New York frost is predicted.

I have the trays sitting on a Jefferson chair in my bedroom, in it's ironing board configuration. For those who don't know what a Jefferson chair is, it's an ingenious bit of furniture, designed of course by Thomas Jefferson, that acts as a stool, a step ladder and an ironing board, all in one.

Clever fellow, that Thomas.

UPDATE: Here's what I'm planting.

What I started today:
Broccoli, Butternut Squash, Collards, Lettuce, Mesclun, Marjoram, Scallions, Parsley, Habanero Pepper, Hot Pepper Mix, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes

And what's to come - I'll probably plant most of these direct seed into the ground:
Garden Bean, Beets, Carrots, Garlic, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Basil, Cucumber, Watermelon, Corn, Pumpkin Summer Squash, Zuccchini, Cilantro

Everything's Coming Up... Something.

Yesterday in New York was a lovely and springlike 60 degrees, so I took a moment to go into our backyard (I still can't believe we have one) to do some cleaning and test the soil with my fancy new electronic soil tester. I have no idea if the tester worked as the needle barely moved, but as I was looking at the footprints the Verizon guy left in the garden, I noticed the tips of the flower bulbs I planted last November had begun to come up! 

I know this is pretty minor, but it's very exciting for me, as I've never grown anything from either seed or bulb before. I don't even really remember what I planted - irises and tulips, I think, plus whatever handfuls of loose bulbs that were on the bottom of the Home Depot bin that I just scooped up and tossed in my pocket to save them from the trash.

Tomorrow I plan on starting some vegetable seedlings in a tray, as I have a little victory garden planned for the rest of the unused ground. I also need to go to the Depot to get the makings for a soil sifter, as the ground out back is filled with rocks and debris. On the bright side, I was able to make a nice little rock edging with what I pulled out from one side of the garden.

I also have tentative plans for a small, self-sustaining watergarden/fish pond. That may be overly ambitious, but on the other hand, it would save me from having to find extra soil for the garden, so it might all balance out effort-wise.

Hopefully something will grow that I can eat.