My sprouted seeds have legs and that’s not a good thing. Apparently leggy seedlings mean they’re growing long legs in an attempt to find quality sunlight. Fortunately, it’s a lesson I’ve learned early in the season so I can go back to the drawing board early enough and still have veggies this year.
Growing from Seed: Tried Something Different
This year, instead of sowing my seeds directly outdoors, I tried to get a headstart on the short growing season. I put organic dirt in a bunch of egg cartons and sowed my seeds. Like a mother hen, I made sure they had adequate water and warmth. I mistakenly thought the ambient light in the room would be enough for the seeds to sprout and begin to grow.
Actually, the ambient light was enough to get them to sprout, but it wasn’t enough to get them to grow properly. Each seed, no matter what it was, started to develop long stems. I thought it looked weird, but I never started seeds indoors before so I didn’t know what to expect.
Something is Definitely Wrong
One Sunday, in an attempt to keep my plants out of harm’s way (my 2 ½-year-old grandson), I put several of the plants on the deck. It was a rather sunny day and I thought the pepper plants could use a little sunlight. Well, when my grandson left and I went to retrieve my plants, they were in sad shape. They looked weak and burnt. The leaves were withering from the sunlight. I guess starting plants indoors creates wussy plants. They’re not prepared for the elements.
After seeing how the pepper plants reacted, I took my long-stemmed plants more seriously. I did an internet search and found out that the lack of strong enough light creates leggy plants. If caught early, the problem of leggy seedlings could be corrected with sunlight. Unfortunately, I believe my plants are too far gone. Instead of torturing myself and my plants, I decided to sow new seeds.
Keeping Some of the Leggy Seedlings
While my long legged collards, kale and spinach may not survive, I decided to keep all of the herbs. The herbs can continue growing inside and won’t have to endure the harsh elements. Just like there are indoor and outdoor cats, I’ve decided to keep all of my herbs as indoor plants. I believe the thyme, marjoram and oregano can survive inside with the help of my grow lamps (I hope). If not, well…I’ve got more seeds.
In the past, I used containers to grow lots of veggies. I eventually graduated to raised garden beds. This year, after taking a year off from gardening, I was trying to extend the season. I guess this year is another learning year and hopefully next year I’ll actually extend the season. I feel I’m a little rusty, but I’m always up for an adventure. I’ll consider 2018 as a year of gardening adventure. Wish me luck!
Hmmm, I wonder if I plant my spindly legged plants a little deeper in the ground if they will survive.
Why am I writing about Gardening on A Dose of Health?
Well, I finally got around to combining a few blogs. Early on in my online health journey, I compartmentalized things. One blog for health, another blog for living green and yet another blog for organic gardening. As I traveled down my health journey I realized it’s all connected.
Despite what our current society believes (one doctor for the head, and another for the stomach), it’s all connected. If you treat the earth right, grow/raise and eat the right food, your body will become healthy. As such, I’ve combined my blogs under one A Dose of Health umbrella.
Also, combining things makes my life a little easier, fewer blogs to keep track of. *wink*
At my age, simplicity is good!
Update: 5/9/18: I planted my long-legged sprouts deep into the soil and they seem to be doing well. The tricky part was not damaging the long, delicate stems while planting them. Fortunately, there was only one casualty. The rest have adapted wonderfully to their new environment.
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