February 29 saw a small garden get-together in the garage. We cleaned and oiled hinged tools and shared homemade coconut milk chai. Camaraderie and inspiration began germinating among returning and new gardeners.
At this time of year, the question often arises: do we start seeds indoors?
For a few seasons, 485 Elm gardeners started seeds in our homes. Results were spotty and didn’t reduce costs, since we ended up buying starts anyway. Now we direct-sow the seeds we can, and the garden account purchases starts from local organic farmers.
This season, Patrick Sullivan at Ananda Gardens is starting our alliums, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and medium-hot peppers. We’ll probably buy Brussels sprouts starts at the farmers market, as usual.
Gardeners here might propose starting plants for future seasons. They’d have the opportunity to team-lead on this, starting seeds in their homes and mentoring other gardeners who want to try it. Or we can continue as is.
The garden grows deliciously either way.
