Notes from the field:

 

An ongoing account of the beginnings of some of the flowers that will become art...

As seen from my vantage point of zone 7.

 

1/3/09:

Rain for days and days and then the cold came.

Started basil seeds in egg shells filled with soft fine dirt and spoonfuls of water.

 

1/13/09:

9 days until the first germination then one more; slowly they emerge from beds of soft warm dirt.

 

1/17/09:
Waited the 10-14 day period and only 2 egg shell cups have sprouted.

Started parsley, coriander and sweet William- using the plastic seed cups and nice new dirt the in GH.
Washed out more egg shells to try again; I think it was too cold on the fireplace ledge. Next one is going in the GH.

 

1/30/09:

When it looks like life is moving at an infinitely slow rate of progress, (there is nothing to “look” at yet; everything is happening under the dirt) the speed at which, when now visible, charges past the dirt on a mission toward the light; it appears to be moving at light-speed.

Exactly 13 days later the parsley is making a showing.

Forced some Arbor day babies inside to bloom and already the Forsythia is yellow flowering the room.

 

1/15/09:

Still painfully cold b/ the sun is so clear - so sweet!
Hellebores buds appeared this week.

Still need to start egg shell in GH- maybe tomorrow…..

 

2/10/09:

Oh the warm! 71 lovely degrees.

 

2/14/09:

Something I’ve noticed regarding the emergence of life:
It appears to be strengthened by the apparent vibration forces near to itself.
The seeds that are first to sprout appear together while the single seeds sprout later- if at all.
They need each others energy to gain their own independent energy force of life. Then
almost as quickly as they become independent as they  appear to fiercely compete with each other individual for everything; including the very life that has been achieved.

Poor labeling on the mustard greens or is that parsley?  Sprouting 13 days.
Still no sign of basil- try again!
(Really thought this warm spell would have sprouted the basil)
When too much cold gives way to warm winds is still not enough to sprout their skinny heads.  I really need to crank on that GH heater.

 

2/17/09:

Started basil again, a lot this time- 16 started plastic cups. (this should be enough for plenty of pesto)
Started mustard greens again- this time in 1 large pot.  May-be I’ll just eat my salad straight from there.

1 mo. old parsley looks good. They are like cute toddlers.

 

2/22/09:

5 days later- barley visible- but  definitely life appears!

I have warmed the GH comfortably to a nice?.... I really NEED to get a thermometer!

Citronella still gives off a fabulous smell perfuming the whole GH.  As soon as I open the door I am hit in the nose w/ this refreshing whiff.  Brought this one in at the end of summer- long and leggy now, not enough summer light; b/ still so aromatic.