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Journal #8

April 30, 2008

Over the years I have found great joy in saving seeds and sharing them with other gardeners, organizations, farmers and others who are interested in growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs. When spring arrives and it is time to plant my garden, I am always eager to get out and plant my entire garden. Just about now, most gardeners including myself have started seeds inside and all of the seeds have germinated and evolved as nice seedlings. The seeds that are already seedlings are plants that need at least 6 to 8 weeks head start inside before they are planted in the ground. These seedlings are for plants like tomatoes and peppers. These sorts of plants need ideal conditions like a greenhouse would provide in order to flourish. Tomatoes and peppers can not be placed outside in the ground before the last frost date, or they may not make it if the weather turns nasty. The next step to preparing your seedlings that were started inside is a process of “hardening off” You must take your seedlings outside for a few hours each day before you are to plant them in the garden. In the evening before the temperature drops, you bring your seedlings back inside. As your seedlings get use to being outside they become sturdier. Other vegetables such as squash, pumpkins, watermelons, corn and radish seeds can be planted directly in the garden after the last frost date. The soil will have warmed enough to support the germination of these types of seeds.

             Late April and early May is a great time to buy seeds that can be sown directly in the garden. I always save enough seeds to share with other gardeners this time of spring. Over the last 5 or 6 years, I have been sharing lots of heirloom seeds with other gardeners.

This year, I consider myself to be very fortunate to have found a wonderful local farmer who will be helping me establish an heirloom seed bank for my seed business. My farmer friend has a nice sized garden that would support all that I want to grow to help my seed bank. He also has a greenhouse where we can quickly and professionally germinate plants from seed. I can honestly say this man is a God send for my new business. We relate well together. My farmer said he is a little nervous about trying out heirloom gardening. This will be his first attempt at growing heirlooms, but I have the fullest confidence in him and I am certain if Mother Nature cooperates with us, we shall have a bumper crop to harvest.

I am also sharing my seeds with many more local gardeners and seed savers across the country. I strive toward supplying as many seeds as I can for my world hunger campaign. I can not think of a better project to support with any of my seeds than helping to feed hungry people.

I am certainly looking forward to this season in my garden. I know it will be a wonderful and bountiful season.