Stuff Growing

I stopped at the market on my way home from the office this afternoon.  I hadn't planned to go in at all, but I left something there that I needed to get a project done today.  Outside the store, there were shelves of plants lined up.  There were peppers, tomatoes, basil, all kinds of stuff.  The tomato plants were a lot bigger than the ones I planted, let me tell you.

Last year I planted the tomato plants late, four or five weeks before Memorial Day.  This year I wanted to get a head start.  I planted seeds eight weeks out, then transplanted twice to get deep roots.  They are not very big at this point, three inches tall at the most.  The ones at the store were a foot tall. 

I knew that I would have to experiment for a couple of years before getting things right.  I thought, however, that I would get bigger plants by this time.  Our cucumber plants, planted just two weeks ago, are way bigger than the tomatoes.  At least something is growing well.  The few melons I've got going are also taller, although they are not as large as I would like.

I can't imagine it isn't because our house is so dang chilly.  it gets cold at night and we don't keep the heat on.  I haven't lit a fire because we need to clean the stove too badly.  Things like basil, which started great but have hardly grown, like it warm.  It ain't warm in here.  So they grow, slowly.

I may plant some more in the ground tomorrow.  I planted the handful of onion seedlings and a few leeks a couple of days ago.  They seem to be doing fine, despite the almost frost last night.  I will plant some seeds tomorrow for sure--carrots and lettuce.  Spinach is already sprouting out of the soil.

I look forward to some fresh vegetables soon.  It seems like nothing will grow fast enough for me, but I know things will get cracking soon.  Spring is full on now, and summer will be here, with its heat and thunderstorms and long days, before I know it.