Agriculture Works

Every Spring I sow seeds either in flats in the greenhouse or outside into the soil and hold my breath until the first germination. Why should I be surprised when the little white shoot just barely breaks through the soil, slowly turning into a bright green seedling? It's what is supposed to happen! It reminds me of a quote, "The person who entrusts the seed to the sun and the rain is a person of hope", or something like that. I can't find who said it, but I know we all think it.

I plant the seed, and care for it of course, but that's it. Its the seed that is enacting its genetic destiny. Upon sprouting, the leaves start to develop the capacity to absorb nutrients from the soil and air. Roots develop to further support the plant growth. This photosynthesis in the leaves is used to produce the chemicals secreted through the roots as they grow. The specific fungi and bacteria beneficial to plant growth feeds on these secretions and cells sloughed off by root growth, in turn providing nutrients to the very plant it's roots attracted, by being consumed by larger microbes. Plants are orchestrating this whole process by controlling the chemical secretions and hence attracting the specific bacteria and fungi they need during their growth cycle. It's a completely natural system that doesn't need me at all. Great! I'm taking a vacation!

No, it's not time to hang up the Carhartts just yet...somebody has to plant that seed!

Not quite Spring

I was told an old weather proverb today: "Warm weather is not here to stay until Winter song birds freeze three times.
I feel sorry for those birds because I actually think they froze three times today alone! It was an interesting day with sunny skies and wet, snow falling simultaneously. Then the skies turned scarily grey and snow was blowing in all directions. I was hiding out in the greenhouse all day so was protected somewhat from these almost-Spring-temper-tantrums. I am heating only half of the 40' greenhouse right now, to reduce my propane costs, and to maximize growing space the seeding station is in the unheated section.

By hanging a curtain with extra greenhouse plastic I am able to 

reduce the heated greenhouse space and cut costs. 

The smaller space is filling up fast as Spring seed starting is well underway and I am already tempted to move the curtain back a bit. But cooler weather is predicted for the next week. 

My eagerness to get things started is calmed somewhat by the weather and I know that Winter will move over eventually to make room for growing food.