The weather was gorgeous last weekend .. there are buds forming on the peach trees in the orchard, the almond tree is already starting to show a few white blossoms, daffodils are nodding in the breeze and the hyacinths in the orchard are looking pink and pretty. How good is it standing back and observing? Nearly as good as sowing seeds … LOL
I love the latter! No doubt about it. Cleaning the seed tray, setting up the heat pad, sorting through my seed collection, which usually leads to plenty of umming and ahhing. I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy the process of sowing seeds and their daily maintenance. I get so impatient waiting for the first seedling to pop through, which they did this morning. Woohoo .. we have germination! Zinnias and giant spinach have tossed aside the organic planting mix and are up.
So before I get too excited, here’s what went into the tray last Friday ..
Lemon bergamot
Zinnias – mixed colour
Marigold
Shasta daisy
Feverfew
Chamomile
Tomato – Cherokee (a gorgeous heirloom variety)
Cayenne chilli
Thai chilli
Habanero
Jalapeño
Banana pepper
Red marconi pepper
Celery
Eggplant
Giant spinach
I usually sieve the mix to begin with to remove chunky bits, but I didn’t which is very unlike me. Thankfully so far, it hasn’t encumbered those seedlings. Next up, I shall sow the salad and herb seeds that I have chosen, into sieved soil of course as I’m feeling rather guilty. The cucurbit family will get sown into pots in September, and I have decided this year that dwarf and climbing beans will be planted in situ. Fabulous!
I have been busy pruning olives too and wishing that hubby would help! Truth is he hates pruning fruit trees.
Speaking of the hubby, he picked loads of lemons the other day saying that he would like to make a a hot lemon pickle. I looked at him and thought – no, what you really meant to say was “here you go, lemons for you to make a pickle with!”
And as we just adore preserved lemons, look what I have been doing this week. Thanks to our buddy Greg Malouf for his top recipe!
Happy gardening
Guess who?
Most impressive is your labelling system! I wish I was that organised because it really doesn’t take much effort, just a little forward planning. Next spring …
Thanks Anne .. Works a treat 🙂
Everything’s coming up ummm…spinach 😉
Looking good Jules!
Hey Robyn .. Looking good, I’m excited 🙂
🙂
Ups, that looks great…but where is the recipe? I’d like to try it 🙂 PS: I do enjoy your excitement about sowing especially as there’s a touc of autumn in the air and seed sowing will soon be a thing of the past. Enjoy it, dear Julie 🙂
I should have popped up the recipe, I ran out of time. Will do next post. It is fantastic, have been doing it for years 🙂 I am excited ..can’t help myself. Thanks lovely ..
Funnily enough, I am really lazy about sowing seeds. Must get on with some, like now, though, if I want any kale and cauliflowers next year.
Your list sounds magnificent!
Thank you! Not too bad .. The garden will be bursting at the seams mid summer 🙂
Sounds good!
Great pictures! We also like preserved lemons, I do this for a recipe of Nigella Lawson. Extremely delicate! 🙂
Hey Josephine . Thank you! I’ll post the recipe next week, you must try it! 🙂
I get very excited when it comes to seed sowing!! Haven’t sown any of my cut flowers yet just veg but will get onto it this weekend! I’m almost as methodical as you….but not quite 🙂
Hi Sarah … I like the sound of methodical! I guess I am. Now I just have to prick out some of those seedlings into their next home – the pot! 🙂 Good luck with yours
We’re just starting to think about sowing for winter salads here, but the spring sowings are always the best – all that promise of lush growth and healthy harvests. No doubt you’ll be celebrating the arrival of plenty more green shoots over the next few weeks – enjoy!
Yes the spring seed sowings are brilliant … although I don’t mind the winter veg either. They always amaze me how they relish the cooler weather. Yes, lots more green shoots are appearing. More work on the horizon! Have fun in your garden 🙂
it’s a wonderful time of the year, isn;t it, to start thinking of spring! your seed list is beautiful – a great colourful, delicious mix.
Hi … thank you! I like the mix too. And those little seedlings are roaring along now. Really enjoying the countdown to spring. 🙂
Julie, your photographs are stunning! Seems you follow the sun as well. Glorious light!~amy
Thank you Amy … that means so much to me. So good to see you here 😀