Spring Projects

So every year I grow new stuff in the garden. Sometimes magickal plants - most of it common or stuff that's native (sage and mullein both do beautiful in a mountain dessert). This year I'm actually trying magickal plants that are a bit harder to grow, one of them being mandrake. I'm wary because it's reminding me of the pennyroyal experiment some years back. lol 

I'm also growing Lemon Balm from seed to replace the plant that was destroyed by the backyard construction. Should be an interesting experiment alongside the heirloom veggies I'm growing this year.

So I did my seed inventory last night and it made me realize last year was a BAD, BAD year for veggies. The weather was freaky. The climate in the greenhouse sucked. At some point I want to put in a real greenhouse. Who knows, maybe after the more important projects around the house are done I can set aside a few thousand and get myself a small greenhouse. Something where the climate is easier to control. As it now stands I need a new cover for the greenhouse frame. I'm going to need it to harden off my seedlings and transplants.

I'm also going to need some seedling starter soil and some of my pots from outside. Mandrake can take up to a year to germinate and the issue I'm having is out of five seeds being cold stratified in the fridge right now, four are floaters. Eh. A friend suggested I try a compost spray to mist the seedlings. On that note the basil garden is started. Nothing like fresh pesto on salad or pasta.

The calamus should prove interesting, too. I've never grown it before. It requires 4 weeks cold stratification before sowing. Then it can take awhile to germinate. If anything, my garden (on top of writing) is going to keep me really busy this summer and I'm looking forward to it.