Last year I learned how resilient plants are. Even though they had a rough go at it before making it to their final destination on the Island, we still had plenty of veggies to eat and can. This year I am leaning more on organic companion planting and the type of environment each plants longs for in order to be all they they can be.
This year I've done things a little different. I still planted the seeds in my kitchen using trays with pods but this time I chose the kind I kind transplant in the ground along with my seedlings. I've also chosen to forgo small pots in lieu of the largest I could find. I spent too many frenetic hours trying to water my poor dry as a bone plants after being gone for only a few days. I've gone even more simple now. The last seeding I did was straight into the tray with no pods. So far so good.
Because our spring was so mild and beautiful, I was tricked into planting too early. Now I have full grown Beans and my Cucumber are already flowering. I realize I will not get show pieces by having the roots bound in a too small container but at least this year they are going straight to the green house or garden on the island. No more limbo waiting for the Island sale to go through... Oh and of course, this time I made sure all my pots had good drainage and were bigger.
I haven't yet succumbed to the temptation of installing grow lights unto the shelves I've again placed in our living room in front of the window and sliding door. Of course I see the benefit but just have not gotten around to it. I do know where to get them though.
Yesterday I put my plants outside for some real light. I created a wind barrier with chairs I placed on their sides. I learned last year how badly the beans take to wind. They get all tangled and the leaves go soft. However, I noticed after a few hours of how sun that my beans were still having a hard time. So I took them in and gave them some water with fertilizer and they perked right up. I left the tomatoes, cucumbers and peas out though. They seemed to fare better outside.
This weekend I am taking as many plants as I can. This way I won't have to make a trip by myself with all my plants, place them in our little Runabout boat trying to not go so fast, dying a thousand deaths as I watch my beauties flop around in the wind. The top is gonna be on the big boat and I'll have the benefit of my husband's vim and vigor on this annual pilgrimage.
