Wednesday, April 24, 2013

When you least expect it...


We've all heard it. And we've all probably rolled our eyes at the phrase, "Things (love, job, etc) will happen when you least expect it." It's a simple way of saying that even though you are failing now, maybe you won't later? It is filled with good intentions but really doesn't do the person the phrase is intended for a lick of good.

I had my own "When you least expect it" moment this morning. Those of us in Michigan know its been a cruelly cold spring. A glimpse of warm weather will soon be dashed by looking out your window on a Friday night in late April only to see snow and sleet accumulating on the ground and leaving you with fear about what will happen to your lettuce seedlings in the ground. What? That last part is just me? Ok but either way you get the idea. It's been colder than expected for longer than hoped. As I may haved mentioned in my previous post, this has lead to a lack of sprouts from my pepper seeds, both the cayenne and the bell variety. As per my previous post, I know there are other solutions for this but I have opted for the cheap route and to let Mother Nature dictate things. I just didn't anticipate Mother Nature acting like kind of a dick.

So this morning, I was all set on replanting some new pepper seeds and rolling with version 2.0 and a little later start to the season. As I went to check them, what do you think I found but some wonderful sprouts of peppers, tomatoes and basil starting to poke their heads up. What's that phrase again... ;)





These sprouts are all of the bell pepper variety. None of my cayennes sprouted yet. I'll keep an eye on this since they might just be a few days behind or they might not be viable anymore since they are a little older than the brand new bell pepper seeds. I think I'll have a better answer after this warmer weekend coming up. If no hot peppers are to be seen I may need to buy an emergency packet.

On this past Sunday (the 21st of April) we had a warm-ish day so I took the opportunity to plant a lot more seeds. I put out seeds of beets (both the Chioggia and Golden variety), three different carrots including purple dragon and Paris market and I set out my broccoli and cauliflower transplants. I also put in more peas on a trellis made out of old real estate sign frames and twine. 

Lettuce survived the snow we had

Radish sprouts coming up

Carrot placement


Broccoli sprouts

Strategic placement of lettuce and cauliflower between peas.

Broccoli and Cauliflower in a side bed

More of the same

New and smaller pea trellis. 

I see two consecutive days past 70 degrees in the forecast. I anticipate lots of growth the next time I post. Until then, what has happened to you when you've least expected it?

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