Sunday, February 20, 2022

Signs of Spring Part I: canning, houseplants, Seed starting, & walking in the woods

 I have started seeds indoors. The broccoli I sowed is at least 4 days old seedlings. I have them growing in a micro greenhouse using plastic salad recycled containers. 


In addition to broccoli, I am germinating basil, parsley, and cilantro. 

If you gave the space and you live in Zone 6 to 7, you can beginning starting cabbage, cauliflower collards, and other brassicas indoors. 

There won't be a last Frost advisory until late May, but I tend to start my seeds indoors in Late February.


It was a nice, warm Sunday, so I brought my houseplants otside to get some Sun and fresh air.






I was hauling compost to my gardens today, and noticed these signs of Spring...the Crocus. Such a cold hardy and dainty little flower...



Yesterday was my birthday, so I indulged in some restaurant veggie sushi...


I turned 32 years old...

As Spring presents itself, it's crucial for me to spend lots of time outdoors. It's my version of therapy. So after work  this past Wednesday-- when it was another warm afternoon-- Ashley and I went to our local park and had a little fire. We roasted some veggie dogs and peppers.



Last Friday-- the afternoon was warm, so I took the houseplants outside to fertilize them.





Although it's not my normal canning season, I was gifted 10 pounds of tomatoes or more. I decided to can tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. For the spaghetti sauce, my recipe was 9 tomatoes, blanched and skinned, then simmered for 1 hour with peppers, onion, carrots, herbs, salt. I sterilized jars, lids, rings, and equipment. And was able to can 3 pint jars of sauce.



For the cold pack tomatoes: I sterilized the jars, boiled tomatoes to remove skins, packed the tomatoes in the jars with lemon juice and water bath canned for 50 minutes.



I'm excited for what Spring will bring.  I hope for more peaceful weather, warm days and nights, colorful flora and fauna. 
I also hope to get some veggies in the ground this upcoming early Spring for things like Swiss chard, collards, kale, spinach, radish, cilantro and lettuce.

No comments:

Post a Comment