39 In Gardening/ Lifestyle

Starting Seeds

Tea Talk In The Garden With Jen and Angie

It's time for some Tea Talk In The Garden!  So excited to see you again.  While I'd like to be drinking iced tea, my tea is still hot due to the persistent blustery and bitter weather lately.  Sit down, grab yourself a cup and join in this monthly virtual letter exchange between Jen & myself.  We are so excited to have you as a guest at this spring garden party.  Even if we all are still hunkered down inside, glaring at the snow slowly melting out the window.  Remember to join in on our garden themed gab in the comment section below!

Dear Angie Postcard

Click here or on the postcard to read Jen's letter to me. 

My Reply...

Tea Talk In The Garden | Starting Seeds | angiethefreckledrose.com

As I write to you today sipping on my tea, the rain is coming down in buckets outside.  It is cold with an unpleasant mix of mud and snow on the ground.  Worst of all, the flowers have drooped and wilted from the past few days of freezing temperatures.  It is definitely not the day to head outside and plant.  That isn't going to stop me from gardening though!  Since I last talked to you, I've purchased some seed starting supplies and have a nice little setup now! More about that later.

So glad you were able to attend some spring gardening shows!  I haven't attended any yet, but am hoping to go to some later on this summer.  I really love the rustic garden style you mentioned.  Whenever I go thrifting, I look for some old rustic galvanized tubs.  I also really enjoy reclaimed wood pieces.  Things like that really add the charm to any garden!  I've never heard of a milk crate veggie garden, but it sounds really cool.  I'm definitely looking that up on Pinterest!  I'm hoping to reclaim a few old things for garden decor this year like my grandparents wooden step ladder and some old planters.

Tea Talk In The Garden | Starting Seeds | angiethefreckledrose.comToday I sat down and began planting some of my tomato and pepper seeds!  I planted two different varieties of each.  Bren was kind enough to share Orange Blaze pepper seeds and Chef's Choice tomato seeds that were part of a #gardenchat giveaway.  I also planted California Wonder peppers and Better Bush tomatoes from my Botanical Interests deluxe garden gift box thanks to Handy Helen.  Figured they all have to be lucky seeds right?  I've configured a temporary seed starting set up until I purchase a shelving unit.  Right now, they are on a wooden table.  I'm using a heat mat for some of my seeds as well as a grow light for others to help with propagation.  Pictured here are some pepper seeds I planted.

Tea Talk In The Garden | Starting Seeds | angiethefreckledrose.comThe first things I purchased for seed starting were some Jiffy starter trays. I opted for the peat pot biodegradable version so I will disturb the plant as little as possible when transplanting them.  I also find the bigger cells easier to plant in.  It's just my personal preference, but since I am no expert, the easier the better.  I filled each of my trays with Espoma organic seed starter potting mix.  I've used this in the past and had some good success with it. 

Tea Talk In The Garden | Starting Seeds | angiethefreckledrose.comI wanted to experiment and give my seeds a little push with a heat mat as well as a grow light.  I know that germination requires heat, especially with seeds like peppers.  Here in zone 6a, our growing season is so short that it's best to give the plants a head start indoors first.  I opted for a Hydrofarm Seedling Heat Mat that is 20" x 20".  It is big enough to fit a tray comfortably with a little extra room.  Most people recommend buying a thermometer for your heat mat, so I will definitely look into that for the future.  Right now, I'm testing the waters and observing how it performs.  After my peppers were all planted and resting cozy on the warm mat, I decided to do some research on starting tomatoes from seed.  I've read how they enjoy an abundance of light, and providing them with a grow light can prevent them from becoming leggy.  I went with the Hydrofarm Jump Start 2' T5 Grow Light Fixture.  This includes the fixture, stand and tube.  It looked easy to set up and perfect for a beginner like me.  It was simple to set up, and I'm happy with it's performance so far. 

Tea Talk In The Garden | Starting Seeds | angiethefreckledrose.comNow my seeds are sitting all snug surrounded by warmth and light.  Let the waiting begin!  I'm curious to see how they do with my new upgraded seed starting setup.  One thing I can tell you for sure is the environment in here is a whole lot different than what's going on outdoors.  Even though it is supposedly spring and we are now getting into April, it doesn't seem like it one bit!  I feel like this is one long April Fools joke New England is playing on us.  I'm really starting to worry for the plants that were budding and sprouting.  My daylilies were looking rather lovely and now they are resembling a down trodden Eeyore.  My daffodils were just about to bloom right before the snow hit. I'm sad to say I may have missed the enjoyment of watching them bloom this year.  I'm really hoping the weather changes for the better soon and all of the flowers perk up again!  I saw the photos you shared of the daffodils blooming in your yard.  They look absolutely stunning!  You did a great job planting last fall, and I'm happy it's paying off for you now.  Your seeds are also looking fabulous.  I love how you reused salad containers to start your seeds. That's totally brilliant!  I'm sure they are always handy with, Max, your adorable bunny around munching on fresh greens!  Plus, the more of them you need for seed starting, the better it is for him. 

As for the winter garden, it's been doing great.  Now that we have had this late hard freeze, I'm nervous to see the damage it has, and will cause.  It can really mess with established plants no matter what kind of protection it has!  I'm still waiting on planting more pea, potato and other cold weather crops because of the bizarre temperatures lately.  I'm thinking next week may be the right time.  I'm keeping the faith that bright, sunny days are on it's way!  I'd love an update on all of your seedlings.  I can't wait to see all those flowers once they bloom.  As soon as the first 60 degree day arrives,  I will be one of those crazy ladies at my local garden center running around with two pallets full of plants yelling "FINALLY, FINALLY, MOVE OUT OF MY WAY!" Okay, well maybe not but I will be shouting that in my head.  I'm so excited to get back out in the garden again. 

Can't wait to talk soon!

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In Case You Missed It - Tea Talk In The Garden

Today I sat down and began planting some of my tomato and pepper seeds!  I planted two different varieties of each.
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39 Comments

  • Reply
    Jenn
    April 12, 2016 at 10:48 pm

    I really enjoyed this post! Thank you for sharing. I’m always looking to learn more about gardening. It’s something that I really want to do someday 🙂 I’m ready for spring anyday now, and it looks like we’re supposed to get 18 degree weather on the weekend. So excited!

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    April 12, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    Thank you for sharing, your page is gorgeous!!!!

  • Reply
    Chelsea
    April 12, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    This is a great post, can’t wait to see the seeds sprout!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      May 1, 2016 at 6:38 pm

      Thanks so much Chelsea! I will be updating very soon 🙂

  • Reply
    candy
    April 12, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    I am always anxious about getting started with my seeds for this years garden.

  • Reply
    daisy
    April 12, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    With the determination in your spirit, the dirt beneath your fingers and the gleam of success in your eyes, you are sure to have a booming bounty! Enjoy!

    Thanks for visiting The Maple Hill Hop this week!

  • Reply
    Jean-Marie Lawrence
    April 12, 2016 at 9:29 am

    I don’t possess a green thumb whatsoever, but I find your Tea Talk so refreshing! I love a hot cup of tea in the morning, and wish I had both garden to sip it in and someone to write to. Such a cute idea! And, while I’m not a gardener, I thought some of these ideas for repurposing old items were creative and I might give it a go myself!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      May 1, 2016 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you so much Jean-Marie! I really appreciate your kind words 🙂

  • Reply
    Dave
    April 11, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    Loved reading about the seed starting process, those heat mats sound great. I also want to look up ‘milk crate’ veggie gardens!

  • Reply
    Kristen
    April 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm

    Good to know for all the things I need to buy for starting our garden! Can’t wait to see them grow!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      May 1, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      I’ll be sharing an update soon! So happy to see them all sprouting 🙂

  • Reply
    Kristen
    April 11, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I am not a gardener myself, but I just absolutely love your blog page and idea of using post cards with responses! So cool! Thank you for the inspiration, great read! 🙂

  • Reply
    image-in-ing: weekly photo linky
    April 11, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    I’m so looking forward to seeing our seed sprout!
    Thank you for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-many-faces-of-louie.html

  • Reply
    Margaret Birding For Pleasure
    April 11, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    Hope your seed produce lots.

  • Reply
    lisa
    April 11, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    This is such a sweet letter. My tea is hot in the morning year round, but I can relate to the chilly, dreary days. Our garden sits patiently waiting for seeds and seedlings. I hope the weather warms soon so I can once again dig my hands in the dirt.

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      May 1, 2016 at 6:32 pm

      Same here Lisa! The weather is finally starting to warm, but so slowly. I’m ready for the hot days ahead!

  • Reply
    Laura Hegfield
    April 11, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Thanks for all of this wonderful seed starting advice!

  • Reply
    Christine
    April 10, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    Can’t wait to see your seeds sprout! Thanks so much for joining the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party. Have a great week!

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      May 1, 2016 at 6:31 pm

      They are all sprouting & happy under the grow light 🙂 Can’t wait to update soon!

  • Reply
    Coombe Mill - Fiona
    April 10, 2016 at 6:49 am

    I hope your seeds florish

    • Reply
      Thefreckledrose
      May 1, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you, they are doing wonderfully! 🙂 Can’t wait to share an update soon!

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