The Daily Dig

This past September I was asked to speak at a local mother's group meeting on the topic of growing cool weather vegetables from seed. Feeling a little guilty that I hadn't actually done this myself I decided to give it a go. Eleven dollars later I had 5 packets of organic, heirloom seeds. They spent a few weeks on the kitchen counter – I would stop, pick them up, shake them to enjoy the sound and the idea of planting them.

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In the final days of September I planted my seeds: radishes, lettuce, beets, snap peas and chard. They escaped the notice of the chickens, squirrels and birds and 10 days later little green shoots appeared from the soil just like magic! I germinated far more than I need which means I'll have plenty to share with friends and neighbors and I have seeds left over so I can continue starting more to rotate in as the others are harvested.

At 10 days old my little sprouts are incredibly healthy and hardy and some are ready to be separated and planted. It was really easy to do and rewarding on a really base level.

If you're in a temperate climate there's still time to start your cool weather veggies from seed. Head down to your local nursery and pick some up.

Seed packets come with instructions but here's all it takes to get started:

1. Select your seeds.
2. Pick up a couple flats and some soil.
3. Fill the flats with soil and using a ruler or straight edge make indentations in the soil spaced a couple inches apart.
4. Sprinkle in the seeds and cover.
5. Water with a shower nozzle, taking care not to wash the seeds away.
6. Cover with netting or chicken wire to keep the varmints away.
7. Continue watering according to directions
8. Separate and plant.
9. Share the extras.
10. Enjoy the magic!