With such appeal, it’s easy to get carried away when confronted with the seemingly endless variety of seed packets available. Like a kid in a candy store. Even with my entirely reasonable seed purchasing habits, I’ve still managed to amass a small hoard.

Some are seeds I’ve tried my hand at growing (with varying degrees of success) but still have leftovers. Others are entirely new and untested (and procrastinated!).

I’ve chosen a few from each category to sow in my “Deep-Root Seedstarting System” from Gardener’s. I can only hope that enough of my seeds are still viable to make this experiment worthwhile!

The Seeds

The seed-starting “system” is essentially a 15 compartment tray with a water reservoir and dome cover to keep the little ecosystem moist and warm.

Peppers were the primary catalyst for this indoor seed-starting venture, so they account for the majority of the tray: three compartments each of three different peppers.

Peppers

The pepper varieties are Shishito, Fushimi, and one hand-labeled as Korean.

The shishitos are the oldest seeds. The original, overzealous attempt was also my first try at starting seeds indoors. I ended up with way more plants than I needed but planted them all in the garden anyway! I’ve evolved a more practical approach since then.

The Fushimi peppers are the newest purchase, from Kitazawa Seed Co., and the pepper I have the most interest in seeing succeed. These are mild, sweet peppers, perfect for my delicate palate!

The Korean pepper seeds actually came from Korea, by way of my mother-in-law. Apparently, these are seeds of the pepper variety commonly used in kimchi, which is a staple ferment in my household. Without any packaging to verify this, we’ll just have to wait and see on this one. Oddly, these seeds are hot pink. I assume they were dyed this color.

Flower and Herbs

I split the remaining compartments between Greek Yevani basil and sweet alyssum ‘Oriental Nights.’ The more common varieties of basil and sweet alyssum have been happily self-propagating in my garden, but these two have been unsuccessful as direct-sowings in the garden.

In addition to the seed tray, I used three of the CowPots I’d been hoarding to sow dill ‘Tetra’, another herb I’ve had difficulty getting established. The dill pots now reside in my little Ikea “Socker” greenhouse. I have no idea if they will be happy here, and I fear it may be too warm for dill now anyway, but here’s hoping!

My gardening motto: here’s hoping!

Is there such a thing as gardener’s block? Despite my vague hopes and dreams of a modest backyard garden paradise, nothing really lasting has transpired in the 10 or so years since moving to our cozy cave in a quiet pocket of suburbia. Maybe my heart truly wasn’t in it.

Maybe, deterred by past failures, I was paralyzed by my ridiculous Virgo sense of perfectionism.

But I don’t want to focus on past failures here. I won’t necessarily even be focusing on my garden transformation alone. I’ve started learning a few lessons recently that have touched many aspects of my life. I will be ready to talk about some of these in due time, but as a result, I’ve been channeling much of my energy into a fruitful connection to the earth and to the cycles of nature.

March 2011 Super Moon

So, with the vernal equinox upon us, the start of spring and the zodiac cycle, I feel the call for a new beginning. And what better synchronicity of events than a Virgo super moon to welcome this fresh spring?

My Virgo need for Perfection transforms to a need only to perfect, for herein lies the learning, enjoyment, and practically speaking, the fruits! Creating goodness in my own backyard can one day extend beyond my own walls, fulfilling my Virgo need to be of service to others; and more immediately, satisfy my desire to feel rooted to the earth and in tune with nature.

With the sincerest wish to make real these ideals, I craft this journal documenting the cultivation of my garden sanctuary; exploring living in harmony with the natural world; and developing a deeper connection with and knowledge of the cycles and energies of the Cosmos.

What that actually means and what it will look like, I’m not entirely certain at this point, but the time feels right to find out. Oh, happy Spring!