DIY Plantable Seed Pots

I am officially over winter but, no where close to being ready for summer. Let's just stay spring all year long, ok? OK!

I got my big packet of seeds from Henry Fields really quick - and now I cannot wait to get those babies started... but I can't just yet.

A couple of key pieces of info are important for deciding when to set out plants. First, I need to know approximately when I want to set out my plants... aka, when can I actually dig the holes in the garden to plant the plants. A quick look at the 2011 Farmer's Almanac predicts the last frost for my area around April 1st - so I have to plant after that.
I know from planting a garden for the past couple of years that planting around Easter seems to work best for me - its still cool enough that my lettuce doesn't wilt in the summer heat but also warm enough that the tomatoes start going and I'll have some great fruit by early summer. Easter is April 24 this year so somewhere in between April 1 and April 24 will be best. A good hard and fast rule for planting is that you want the ground temperature to stay consistently over 50 degrees - even overnight.

Most of the seeds I ordered suggest starting them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting. Starting them indoors where its warmer and they still get sun or artificially get light through grow lights (yes, think Weeds season 4) is ideal. Working backwards from April 16th, my targeted plant date, I determined that I would start seedlings on February 19th.

So between now and Feb. 19th I really need to get on prepping the new homes that the seedlings will be growing in until they are ready to go live in the garden. I've used seed pods and seedling trays before but, this year, since I am cheap and also plan on growing A LOT of seedlings to give away and really have a prolific garden - again because I am cheap - I needed this to be a DIY project. There are several great options out there including recyling toilet paper or paper towel rolls cut in half but I am going with the newspaper option.
WHY you ask? While the toilet paper roll option would be much quicker and less work, I just don't think there is anyway I can save up oh about 100 tubes in the next month. We just don't go that much. sorry.
The DIY seed pots made of newspaper seem to be really easy - basically you take a strip of newspaper (black ink only) and make a little "cup" - using a flour and water paste to seal the deal. This seed pot can be planted right in your garden or easily peeled off when planting.

Eric and I are going to have a little seedling pot making party soon - we need to churn out about 100 of these babies over the next month. I'll be sure to let you know if I plan on ever doing this project again afterward. Has anyone else done this?


*photos from Farmers Almanac, Re-Nest and Chicago Tribune - links in text

I can't believe it

It really did snow. For the 2nd time this winter. For the 3rd time in 2 years in South Carolina. Hello Global Warming. (and Hi Al Gore!)
*photos by moi

Snowpocalypse 2011

so apparently, even though we haven't had any precipitation here in the drrrrry south, we are bracing for snowpocalypse 11. poop.
all local school districts are canceled for Monday, the city and county offices, outpatient Drs. offices, the university - where I was supposed to start my first day of classes tomorrow also canceled. poop.

excuse me while I pout tonight. i have been waiting for tomorrow for so long, I just want to go to school. poop.

*photo taken the day after Christmas by moi.

Holiday Rewind

What a crazy unexpected Christmas this was.

As I mentioned, we were planning on heading up to the Great White North but decided to stay put because of snow....

so we had Skype-mas with my parents and sister
no, they are not in the witness protection program but since I've never discussed with them putting their mug up on the world wide interwebs... meet my family, the blurs.

so we visited some family only an hour or so away
and then we ended up getting snow anyways...
Charlie loved it by the way. He ran so much with his dog-cousins that he slept for 2 days straight afterward.We are all very big dorks. I told the family that this should be our Christmas card. Classic - 6 cell phones and a bottle of gin. Our 3 new ipads are not pictured.
Eric and his brother rocked out on their paper guitars.
and then we celebrated this handsome guy's 28th birthday on the 27th.

PHEW... I am tired.

GO JOE GO!

Eric and I along with some of our local friends, and fellow Furman Alumni hosted a fundraiser for our good friend Joe Waters last week.

Great success! It was my first hosting event of this sort though I have planned a lot of them!
Our friend Joe is running in Greenville for the SC Statehouse and let me just say AMAZING. I mean, I've known that Joe is one incredible guy for a long time but wow - he is so committed to public education and the state at large. The best part - he is the exact same person as a friend as a candidate - talk about genuine passion!
Sorry the food pic is a little late - aka - the food was good! I pulled some recipes from Pioneer Woman, random cookbooks and my momma. I will be sure to share a few tomorrow for Recipe Swap.

Thanks Joe for letting us be a part of this exciting time - we are so very proud of you and can't wait to have you represent our state!