Ladies, Start your SEEDS!!!

It is that time of year!! I am so excited to be gardening on our very own homestead this year!

Believe it or not, it is time to start some of your seeds.

I do not claim to be an expert gardener. I am simply sharing what we are doing in order to have a sustainable harvest this coming year.

You will need:

1. seeds - may I suggest purchasing heirloom seeds so that you can participate in harvesting seeds from your plants this year. This will save on costs next year! and you will have some to share. It is not that much more to buy heirloom seeds. Besides, the quality of the plant and the savings next year will be worth it. May I recommend http://www.rareseeds.com/. This site has provided us with good seed and good service.

2. Seed starting mix- I bought a bag of Jiffy seed starting mix at Home depot for about $4.

3. Small containers in which to start the seeds. Egg cartons work fine for us. I clean them out and keep them until it is time.

SEEDS TO START IN JANUARY:

tomatoes
potatoes

beets

broccoli

carrots

cauliflower

swiss chard

chinese cabbage

eggplant

lettuce (my favorite)

English peas

hot peppers

bell peppers

radishes

Ofcourse you want to plant only what you are going to eat.

May I also recommend the following books:

The Square foot garden, Mel Bartholomew

The Backyard Homestead, Carleen Madigan

I use these books on a regular basis for reference, how to, and ideas for my garden.