The Perennial Plate

I just stumbled upon this website and had to share it!  The host, Daniel Klein, is a chef with an interest in "adventurous and sustainable eating."  He and camerawoman Mirra Fine filmed 52 short episodes (about 5 to 10 minutes each) exploring topics relating to that theme, from spear fishing to community gardening, from tapping maple trees to hunting squirrel.  (I haven't watched that one yet!)  The unique characters really keep things entertaining.  Plenty of recipes, too.  Beware though - some of these videos are not for the squeamish!  (I only made it half way through the "Meat" episode, and I'm not generally very sensitive.)   

I've watched about half the episodes over the past 12 hours, and these are two of my favorites... so far.  Enjoy! 


The Perennial Plate Episode 3: A trip to Milan, MN from Daniel Klein on Vimeo.


The Perennial Plate Episode 22: A very community garden from Daniel Klein on Vimeo.

A Note to Urban Gardeners

I just read this article - Please take a moment to look it over if you're planning to plant a garden in an urban area this spring, if your home was built before 1977, or if your garden will be next to a roadway.

If you're worried that you may have lead or other heavy metals in your soil, you can send a sample to a lab for testing - The cost is only $10.

Don't let a little lead stop you from planting, though!  You could fill some raised beds with fresh soil, plant in pots, or just make sure you wash your veggies well before eating. 

Growing your own organic produce is the most delicious way to positively impact our planet!

Babies!

My tomato seedlings are coming up nicely!  After a full week, they have nearly all "hatched," as have the Brussels sprouts, impatiens, Mexican sunflowers, and "Purple Mystery" flowers.  So far only one marigold (although the seed packet was market 2008, so I didn't expect much) and two black-eyed Susans have appeared.  

I am finally seeing signs of life in the hibiscus, eggplant, and pepper pods as well, so hopefully those sprouts will be up in a day or two.

Since most of my sprouts are up, I've gone ahead and propped open the lids on my greenhouse boxes to allow more air to flow through and to prevent too much moisture on the leaves.  I simply set the lids kind of ajar, so that the corners are open for airflow, although the sunflowers and Brussels sprouts are getting so tall that I may have to lift the lids up higher somehow.

The first two leaves that appear on the seedlings aren't really leaves at all, but are called "cotyledons."  These provide food for the plant until the "true leaves" are able to begin photosynthesizing.  Too sciency for you?  All you really need to understand is this:  When your seedlings grow their third and fourth leaves, and those leaves are shaped differently than the first two, it's time to move the little guy into a sunnier location.  If you haven't already, you should also remove the plastic covering entirely at this point.

Starting Seeds Indoors

I know that the idea of starting seedlings indoors is intimidating to some people and too much trouble for others.  If that's the way you feel, then you can just stop reading this blog right now.

No no!  Just kidding!  You should keep reading and see how easy it is!

You need three things: 

  

(1)  Dirt.  These pellets are the easiest option - No mess whatsoever.  I bought a box of 36 for $1.99, although I know I bought them in a bag on sale for much less last year.  You don't need any fancy container - That styrofoam thingy that your eggs came in is perfect.

 
(2)  Seeds.  You can buy a packet in person or online in about a gazillion places.  Or you could buy an organic vegetable, remove the seeds, dry them on your counter for a couple of days, voila. 

(3)  Water.

Ain't she a cutie?  I'm using these seed starter boxes that I think will run you about $6.  (Buy them on sale at the end of the season if you can.)  They're great if you're planting 20 or more seeds, and come in a variety of sizes.

Get your pods (or dirt) nice and wet before you add the seeds.  I put two seeds in each pod, usually by making a small indent with a toothpick or pencil, dropping the seeds in, and then using the toothpick to cover the seeds with a small bit of moist soil.   If you're especially forgetful, working with a preschooler, or both, I recommend covering the pods with paper or rags so that only the row you're planting is visible.

Once you've got them all planted in damp soil, cover them with plastic.  If you're not using a container with a lid, simply tent some plastic wrap over them to hold in the warmth and moisture.

You want to place them in INDIRECT sunlight, meaning a bright room, but not in a place where the light will actually be on them (or they'll burn up under the plastic.)  I put mine in a north facing window, which is light all day but never bright.

And if you're planting more than one crop, DON'T FORGET TO LABEL!

Now standing next to your seeds, spread your feet so they're shoulder width apart.  Bend slightly at the knees and at the waist, so that you're leaning over them at a 72 degree angle.  Wait.  As soon as you see a few little sprouts pop up, come and check back with me.