Starting the seedlings

While out this past weekend to get more chicken supplies, I also decided to pick up some new seeds and some seedling trays.

I had much better luck starting seeds indoors and then transferring the plants outside when they were hardier and better able to handle the weather conditions.

I mentioned in my earlier post what I was planning on this year.

I know I have some seeds left over from last year....

We bought a few new ones:

1. Pumpkins! I tired and failed miserably last year. I started waaaaay too late and then the little tiny pumpkins that did form, got stepped on :( So I let Ava pick out new pumpkin seeds and we'll start them at the right time this year.

2. Watermelon - we eat a LOT of watermelon and the chickens love the rind when we're done. I also started super late and failed. I got one teeny, tiny watermelon that also got stepped on.

3. Broccoli - we eat a lot of broccoli on a regular basis - it's the one vegetable that both my girls will eat willingly so I try to include it whenever I can.

I'm trying these pods for the first time - they seemed easy and convenient. I put one in each well and poured warm water over it until the pods expanded to 1.5 inches. I then drained the water and me and the girls put the seeds in. 

I'm waiting to plant the gourds, but me and the girls planted the rest.

After the pods absorbed the water

Mila and Ava each got 18. Evenly divided between the seeds. 

We have a lot more to go - we planted 36 plants to start, and assuming they don't all survive the transfer to outside...we'll see. But we'll be getting cucumbers going next week (my mom is sending me seeds for Japanese cucumbers), and also squash and zucchini. 

I'm going for a 24 foot x 16 foot garden, and I'm going to put it right next to the fence, on the left side of the gate. This will be near the barn, where we plan on housing the goats/pony/donkey. I'm planning to plant just enough tomatoes and cucumbers along the edge for my chickens. This way, as I'm doing my chores, I can consolidate where I need to go and haul water and/or supplies. I figured if I'm over by the barn and coop, I may as well water them all at once. We have a large outdoor water tank (several hundred gallons) that Steve scored over this past winter for free, so we just have to wash that out and get it on wheels and I'll have a nice water source over where I need it to be. 

ANYWAY. 

That's 384 square feet, which makes sense for a family of four (we're going with roughly 100 sq. ft. per person). 

Here's my rough plan:

I'll document the process, starting from when we break ground. I have left over pieces from my old garden that I want to use again, like my beautiful door. I think this time we'll actually put chicken wire around the fencing to keep deer and other animals out.