Do you do the "soil stare"?
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
May 31, 2009 1:38pm CST
This year, I've gotten back to more vegetable gardening than I have in the past few. Since I'd been planting a lot of annual flowers, I'd gotten used to the instant gratification of seeing plants right away. With the vegetables and herbs, I've planted a lot of seeds. So there I am, every morning, doing what I now call the "soil stare" -- crouched down looking for signs of something sprouting LOL Yesterday, I was rewarded! A lot of my peas are starting to break through the soil. Now, maybe if I stare really hard, the beans will start showing up in the next few days too LOL I know it's like a "watched pot" and I shouldn't be so anxious. Have you been spoiled by using a lot of seedlings? Are you planting more seeds now to cut down on the cost of your garden like I am? Most importantly, do you do the "soil stare" too? *grin*
3 people like this
4 responses
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
31 May 09
Honestly, I think that every gardener gets this disease. And have you ever noticed that things sprout and grow when you finally give up looking for green everyday. Of course, I think that this habit is true for human beings in all our areas of life. Or at least, those of us living in a microwave, fast food world.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
1 Jun 09
You're completely right, morgandrake. We live in the moment all the time... everything has to be finished "yesterday." Gardening is supposed to be a great way to relax and relieve stress, right? ... and here we are just a-rushin' it along LOL I just find it so fulfilling to be able to grow things from seed so I'm always anxious for those first signs that something's actually going to grow :)
1 person likes this
@katsalot1 (1618)
•
31 May 09
Yes I do. I've just come in from outside where I was looking to see if my latest batch of seeds had come up. I was rewarded by seeing that my beetroot have come up, but not the carrots. I have been gardening all my life, and know that things take time, but still do it anyway!
3 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
1 Jun 09
How great that you saw something positive when you checked! I'm sure if the beetroot is up, the carrots will be along any time too... that's so encouraging, isn't it? I agree, though... even when I know full well approximately how many days it should take for certain seeds to germinate, I'm still out there takin' a look all the same LOL
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@peavey (16936)
• United States
1 Jun 09
Oh, yes. Every morning and sometimes twice or three times a day I crouch down, squint and look for seedlings. Even after they've appeared, I have to inspect them closely each day to make sure they're still there and then to make sure they're growing.
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@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jun 09
LOL! Still raining here toooooo! UGH Okra, huh? You'll have to tell me how you prepare that because the only time I ever had okra was in a can of chicken gumbo soup. I didn't like it at all because, in the canned soup, it was really mushy and almost slimey. It had an awful texture and I just couldn't eat it :( I'm one of those people that prefers veggies to be either raw or lightly steamed so they still have a bit of a "bite" to them. I'm not good with veggies or fruits that are soft and mushy. I know people that love okra though so I'm sure there is a secret to making it that is a lot better than floating it in soup broth to go mushy LOL
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jun 09
LOL yep that's me too... and it's been raining the past few days so I've been chomping at the bit to get outside and look. I did get out for a few minutes, between the drops, this morning and saw at least two bean plants shooting up in addition to the peas. So I'm jazzed... my garden is not getting as much sun as usual because my neighbor's tree is HUGE now and creating more shade than I'm used to having... so I'm glad to see some things coming up, for sure!
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
2 Jun 09
This is so funny! I can only imagine the excitement you will experience when you finally start to see your little seedlings peeking up out of the soil! I recently bought a bag of dirt but I haven't planted anything yet because I am hardly ever around and I am afraid my plants will dry out and die of neglect.
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@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jun 09
It's actually really funny how excited I get over the little signs of green LOL! But there's something very satisfying about growing things from seed. If you'd like to have a plant or two but aren't around much to tend to them, maybe you could consider an herb garden in your kitchen or something... just a pot or two of herbs that you'd actually like to use or dry. If they're right in your kitchen, you're less likely to forget to water them and such :)
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jun 09
Well, for houseplants specifically, I wouldn't be afraid to try (assuming you actually want to have some LOL) As long as you find out how much light a plant needs, it can be obtained by putting it in the right room in the house to take advantage of the natural sunlight... they don't actually have to go outdoors. If you travel a lot and are away for extended periods of time, there are products available to "self-water" your plants. I'm not recommending any particular one but here is just an example of one option (and it's pretty affordable to do this):
http://www.drip-it-systems.com/eng/index.asp
(As far as fish go... lol... there are feeder blocks that can be used during extended vacations but a lot of fish will quite happily (and healthily) go without feeding for a few days, such as a long weekend)
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@Canellita (12029)
• United States
2 Jun 09
What happens to them when I am gone for days at a time?
The proper care and feeding is more than just watering. Plants need occasional sun and fresh air and I close my windows when I leave. It is also the reason why I hesitate to get any fish :-(
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