In April I decided to buy some seeds and see what would grow.

I think it was probably a combo of being home all the time, and the fact that I have a yard for the first time in my life… whatever it was, I felt compelled to try a learning garden this year. By “learning garden” I mean I’m not going to go all in, just try a lot of things and see what works and what doesn’t. I’m sticking to containers, a few grow lights, seeds, and soil.

Oh ok, I remember now. Last summer I was going to garden, but all of the plants at the big box stores here are basically Dead On Arrival and still pricy. So, I assumed if I wanted to grow any veggies I would need to start from seeds.

In April I started my first seeds in a starter tray. In about a week I had to start transplanting and thinning seeds. My main issue was “leggy” seedlings (tall and limp and flopping over). I learned that moving grow lights closer and having moving air help.

After overcoming that hurdle, things got more exciting. My radishes grew leaves, my onions got big enough to support themselves, and my two zucchini plants grew big beautiful green leaves… I was hooked.

Two months later (June), I just harvested and ate my first radishes and squash blossoms. I’m currently growing radishes, green onions, chives, dill, rosemary, lettuce, zucchini, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, mint, and pole beans ALL FROM SEEDS! I also just started some carrot seeds. Why not.

I’m starting everyone as seeds in this super sophisticated setup in my kitchen.

It’s a constant game of getting plants close enough to the lights as they grow, rearranging things, hardening seeds off outside on good weather days, and eventually moving the brave mature plants outside.

This is my elaborate outdoor nursery, designed to resist casual grazing yard animals. It’s certainly not bear proof, but the lazy ones surely won’t bother for a mint leaf, right? Of course the key design flaw is obvious from this photo- my zucchini (on top) are too tall for the cage already. As my prize plants, they’re currently spending the night indoors. I’ll have to let them go eventually. I’m running out of space.

This has been a very satisfying and challenging project. I’ve learned things, and I got to enjoy the fruits of my labor… literally. I recommend it. go garden things.