The Eggshells Worked!

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say they worked and are still working.

The most difficult part was writing on eggshells.

What I really love is that there are no plastic containers to deal with.

The entire set up aside from my trays is compostable.

Though that was also a plus as there were no markers getting in the way 

or getting smudged.

I have started my seeds in "rounds."

The more cold tolerant things I started first,

then as they began growing and I could move them out, 

and I found morsels of time,

I began the more delicate things (like tomatoes.)

Someday when I have a greenhouse, 

maybe I will be able to do more all at once.

For now, in my kitchen, this is what I do.

In order to plant the plants, 

I just use the corner of the spade and crack the shell

making sure to break the inner skin of the shell too.

Yes, it's early, and I certainly don't want to jinx myself,

but so far what I've planted has lived.

 (Sweetpea vine)

Funny little note~

Mr. LB suggested that next time, I plant the faster growing, larger things all together so that the one tray could be dealt with as they grew.

I then explained to him that it's meee he married, and that

they were planted in alphabetical order.

It always looks so pretty all dug up and planted - before the weeds arrive.

We were given some tomatoes that are pretty big so they are in the ground.

Mine are still pretty small so will wait a while before introducing them to the outdoors.

Again, I'm a rebel.  I use tomato cages upside down. 

They always seem to hit a rock and be crooked then tip when the plant grows.

This way they are wider at the bottom so don't tip as easily.

I should put some sort of decorations on the tips so folks can think

I'm whimsical rather than just goofy.

One other thing I've done this year that's new (to me) is to use burlap in the baskets rather than purchasing the nest things.

I don't like paying for those things so I usually just don't use the baskets.

I had quite a bit of burlap on hand as I had bought some to make a hooked rug

then found out how awful it is to work with and on for rug making.

I will see if I can make it last a couple years.

I actually like it better so far because I was able to fit more dirt in the baskets.

With the nests, it seems like they don't come up over the edge of the basket

and their thickness makes the growing space rather shallow.

As things grow, I'll share.

It feels so good to play in the dirt.

And I can hardly wait for that first green salad 

if we can keep the deer out this year.