Time For Gardening :)

We're past April 1st, so it's time to start the seedlings for my garden.  Since I live in an apartment and have a balcony rather than on the garden level, I do a lot of container gardening, which I've found challenging but also rewarding.

I have a couple topsy turvys that I'll put tomato plants in, and I'll buy the plants at the grocery store rather than starting them from seed, because sometimes I have problems with fungus when I start them from seed.  I usually plant one with a full-sized tomato and the other with cherry or grape tomatos, and they've done well so far, although I need to get used to assessing them and pruning them upside down lol.  I might invest in a couple more, because I'd like to see how yellow squash and zuccini do in them also--always problem crops in a container for me.  They are fairly easy to use, just follow the directions on the package and remember to water them every day.  If you don't water them, the soil gets rock hard and the water has a hard time penetrating it.

Today I'm starting bush beans.  To give you an idea of the "green" factor, I'm starting them in yogurt containers that I usually save for water when I'm painting.  I have an abundance of them, and cutting an "x" in the bottom with a utility knife is pretty easy so the water can drain.  I fill them with a quality potting mix, use a pencil to tap a hole about 1" deep, and put 2 seeds in each one.  These will later be thinned to the strongest one when they have 4 leaves on them, and is insurance in case one of the seeds doesn't sprout.  I put the yogurt cups in a tray that will hold at least 1" of water in the bottom, and set aside.  When I see sprouts, I'll move them to a sunny area so they can continue to develop.  They'll go in 2 styrofoam planters I have when the danger of frost has passed, to share the space with petunias.  I like the styrofoam planters because they insulate the soil in the drastic hot and cold of the Nebraska climate.  (I often have petunias last well beyond frost in these as they hold their heat very well).  Putting petunias in the same space will attract pollinating critters, and I've even seen humming birds dropping by for a nip at sunset.  Attracting pollinating critters is important, since the flowers need to be pollinated before they will produce a bean, tomato or other crop.  I'll also put petunias in several hanging baskets, again to attract pollinating critters. 

The first step is done.  Hello spring!  :)