Smack dab mid-February.
February used to be the most reviled month in our house. Dark, gloomy, the end of winter seemed to drag on. But since I have been gardening more and more, that is changing.
February marks the end of winter and the start of spring now that I am a die-hard gardener. Even though we still have chilly days, the days are now touched by garden planning and planting. The art and science of starting seeds restarts itself.
Friday you sound like an internet grifter. Stop trying to be so poetic. 🙂
I used to think of starting seeds as a one and done kind of thing. Start them all in early spring, and then blammo, you are done once everything is transplanted out. But what I have come to realize is that if I am to be successful, I plant nearly year round. Lettuces get planted every couple of weeks, for example. The early brassicas got started a couple of weeks ago, but now it is time to start warmer veggies like tomatoes and eggplants (soon). And not everything is started inside, so that means that in February, I start adding goodies to my soil to repel summertime pests and to feed the soil so it is ready for crops like cucumbers and squash (I am going to conquer those dreaded squash bugs this year, I just know it!).
And the Lord has given me a fine, warm, day today in which to plant peas.
And this is heartfelt.
Seed starting at my friend W’s house has been awesome. She has a wonderful tiled sunroom that we have dedicated to the process. I go over twice a week to check and to plant, she tends to them by watering as needed and taking the humidity domes off once they start to sprout. I have a feeling she talks to the little buggers too. I am sure they enjoy her sweet voice coaxing them into robust little plants we will then eat.
February also is marking the end to my winter of sloth and carbs. I had been intermittent fasting but that was not working for me. So I just started eating. And apparently I started eating a lot of bread. Well, not apparently, like it was some sort of accident. I knew full well what I was doing. Sourdough perfecting is what I called it. But in reality, it was stuffing my fat face full of carbs to combat the winter time depression I wrestle with each year.
So it stops today. Protein [no! I want bread!]! Exercise [no I want to sit and read books!]! Water [what’s water?]!
And girl, you know you cannot just drink coffee as a water substitute. Pee should not be tan. Respect what God gave you!
Oh and notes for J for vinaigrette – in a mason jar, put 1 part vinegar, 3 parts oil. Spoon of mustard of any sort for emulsification. Salt, pepper, and any optional other tasty things like herbs, garlic, shallot. But not onion. As ‘Uncle Roger’ says, onions are for poor people.
