Spring is on the way and so are the seeds

Broccoli Babies and Aromatic Memories!!!
I took this photo on Thursday, March 10th. I had just started the seeds indoors on February 27. Those little broccoli seeds sprouted in just 4 days. I was shocked that they had that much determination to show their faces to the world in such a short amount of time. Just twelve days from being initially stuck in a little soil and look at how big they are already. I believe that words and thought have power and an effect on the cellular structure of things in one’s environment, so of course I talk to my broccoli sprouts encouraging them to grow big and strong. I chose to use the egg shells in the egg carton because then the calcium can leach into the soil and help provide an extra dose of strength to the seedlings. 
 
With the sun becoming stronger and warmer in the south facing window each day now as we approach the first day of spring, more and more of the other seeds are sprouting and growing strong. So far five others have sprouted: eggplant, sweet savory, tomato, English thyme, and Greek oregano. 
 
I’m trying to recall if I’ve ever sprouted seeds indoors to prepare for transplanting before—and I don’t think so. I’ve directly seeded into the garden beds in years past and have supplemented with individual sprouted plants from the nursery or Big Box stores. I’m also planning to get some 55-gallon drums and plant potatoes in it. It’d be nice to also have one of sweet potatoes. There’s a way to layer the eyes covering with soil and then at harvest time have layer after layer of the potatoes stacked in the drum. That should be a fun project.
 

 
Today it was such a beautiful day we decided to do some yard work prepping for spring so off to the garden supply store to buy mulch. Ended up with a magnolia tree, a flat of pansies, supports for the green peas that were planted outdoors a few weeks ago, some more organic seeds: jalepenos and green onions. All the mulch got laid making a new pathway in front of the carport. The pansies add a spark of color near the front steps; and the magnolia will greet me everyday when I drive in and out with its beautiful blossoms. Isn’t it wonderful to plant things you love to look at or smell in your environment? There’s a lilac bush near the front porch and when sitting outside during blooming time, you can just take in all those aromatic whiffs as you can. Such a sweet smell. I remember when in high school I was in the marching band. Our band instructor, Mr. Merkel, used to take us out into the streets to prepare for the Memorial Day parade by having us march and play the music all over town during band class. I remember smelling the lilacs in bloom during those practices. My middle brother’s birthday is May 26th, so I always remember that in Michigan, lilacs come into bloom around his birthday. Here in Kansas they bloom much earlier—more like the end of March/beginning of April is what I recall from last year.
 
I was having a conversation today about favorite smells…night-blooming jasmine, lilac, honeysuckle, orange blossom, some old-fashioned roses—the ones that still have aromas to them, seems like I’m missing one. Anyway… to me, those scents are just so fresh and awesome. Soul stirring some times. When I was on pilgrimage in 2006, I was walking up to the Shrine of the Bab in the evening and I had to stop dead in my tracks because of the totally enveloping smell that was touching my nostrils. Oh my gosh, it was heavenly… I looked around and around, trying to find the source of this beautiful aroma—thinking it was night blooming jasmine—but alas, it wasn’t. I looked up and was standing under an orange blossom tree. It was such a magnificent smell I had to stop and stand there for a while—breathing in the wonders of heaven and savor that moment. It stands out in my mind. How many of you have aromatic moments that bring it home for you? Feel free to share your experiences here in the comments.
 
Thanks for reading… and may all your gardens grow abundantly.