Seed and Soil were the words of the day in the sunshine and record-high warmth of yesterday. There are a few household tools that by some magic I don't quite understand, bring the kids running from whatever they may be doing, and wherever they may be on this many-acred homestead of ours. It's as if by some magnetic pull, they just know that Mama's using the mixer, or that the swift is at the ready, or as was the case yesterday, the soil blocker was in need.
It is a lot of fun, that soil blocker. And so is adding water and soil and mixing it all together into a soppy mess with your hands. Then, popping little tiny seeds in those holes, too.
And with that, our 2012 garden has officially begun! Most of our seeds this year came from High Mowing Organic, with a few from our local FEDCO Seeds as well. (For those who might ask, my all-time favorite general reference garden book is The Garden Primer.) I started yesterday with broccoli, brussels sprouts, some kale, and celery, with another pile of seed packets ready to go today. They'll sit by a table near the wood stove for germination, then be moved to the library which, in lieu of a greenhouse (maybe next year), gets turned into seedlings room for a few weeks (with the help of some good windows, lots of rotation, and lights).
We all have exciting plans for our garden this year, and are eager to get out there to play in it. But it is still March in Maine, I must remember (despite the weather telling me otherwise). And so, we start, quite happily, from here - with a little bit of seed and soil.
