Seed Starting 102 - Let's get the Seedling Party Started (and Re-use those Unusable K-Cups)

In Episode 1 of this Epic series (well maybe not epic but still - marginally ok), I detailed the process I use to start seeds to plant in the garden. I predominately use this method for tomato and pepper seeds but I've used it for corn, beets, peas - whatever tickles your fancy.

But of course I digress. Today's Episode is titled Seed Starting 102 (I am a genius). This round I'll show how I take the sprouts and plant them. But let me first talk a little about the pots I use.

My indoor greenhouse is a lovely luxury. However I start an enormous number of  vegetable plants for my own use and to give to friends so maximizing my space is paramount. I've purchased seed starting pucks, trays, cells - you name it, I've tried it. Invariably I end up with a mish-mash of pots that use up too much real estate. Plus, it cost me a fortune for the number of plants I start.

What to do, what to do...

Pondering... Now Distracted by Coffee

Our office has a Keurig which is mighty convenient but since those used K-Cups can't be recycled it gives me stress that I add more to the landfill. To allay my stress I try to re-use an item before it is trashed - I figure re-using stops me from buying another consumer products.

My those K-Cups are a good size for...

Hello!!!!

Consistent sized pots which are perfect for starting seedlings - Holy moly, I am brilliant!!  (wait, there are lots of others who do it too - but please, leave me to bask in my self-deluded smarts).

After a couple of trial and errors, here is my method.

Things You'll Need (Otherwise Known as Supplies)

Seed Starting Soil
Worm Castings (not totally necessary but I use a small amount)
Container for mixing soil and castings

Water
K-Cups
Bowl
Sprouted Seeds
Light Source (could be a lamp, windows, anything you like)

Things You'll Do (Otherwise known as Directions)

Take some soil and a small amount of castings and mix together in the container.  Add enough water to make the soil damp but not so wet that you can squeeze water out.

Write on the pot (or use a plant tag) the seed name.

Take your pots (in my case rinsed out K-Cups), and soak in water (see Note below).
Note: I used the K-Cups with the membrane in and taken out. It made no measurable difference to the growth success of the seedling. I was simply experimenting.

Partially fill the K-Cup with soil.

Take sprout and place in soil with green pointed up.

Add soil around the stem of sprout. I typically leave the very top poking out.

And repeat until all sprouts are planted.

Place in tray and put under some type of light source.

As you can see, a small tray can house 30 starter seedlings.

Water when seedlings appear to be drying out. Do NOT over water. I was a little over-eager and lost some plants in another tray. I use a 500ml sports drink bottle to water as the spout allows for precise application of water. I tried watering from below but there was little consistency in how much water the seedling absorbed.  Some got saturated and some dried out. So I water from above.

You can tell the differences in water absorption.

 Keep the seedlings in a warm and sunny spot.  They do not need light all the time as they need dark to ensure "a rest period". I use lights to extend the day (in Nova Scotia days are short). So I turn the lights on when I come home from work (6pm) and turn them off at 11pm.

I decided to put the containers on some wood blocks to ensure they weren't too far from a light source.  I didn't want the plants to grow spindly. Once they get bigger/taller I will remove the blocks.

As of March 23rd 2014

There you go! I know... when you go through the steps it sounds like it takes hours! It really doesn't.

Add on Note:  After your plants start to grow larger, GENTLY press down on the soil. If you used the K-Cups and retained the filter inside, you will notice that it has broken down and the soil will move to the bottom.  Top up the container with more of the soil and worm castings mixture.

Stay tuned for the next episode - Seed Starting 103 - What Happens When Seedlings Get Too Big for their Britches?

Cheers and Happy Growing,
Lori

Seed Starting 101 - Sprouting for Success

Welcome to Lori's Seed Starting 101 class.  In this episode you will see how (over a couple of years of dodgy success) I found a method of starting plants from seed that works for me. WARNING:   Scientific it is NOT. It's simple, needs only items you have in your home and I have found a greater yield of viable plants.

Why pre-sprout? In years past I have planted seeds directly into soil in seed starting containers. My success rate was 30-50% at best. With this pre-sprout method I only plant in soil the seeds that germinate and appear to have good sprouts. I've found my rate of success increased to 75% for viable seedlings. I simply start seeds a week earlier than before.

Things You'll Need (Otherwise Known as Supplies)

Seeds (in this case pepper and tomato seeds)
Paper Towel
Ziploc (or equivalent) bags with the zipper seal
Water
A warm spot (not necessarily light but warmth)

Yes, I reuse my ziploc bags. Why toss them when you can rinse them out with a bit of vinegar water, dry them and use again?

Things You'll Do (Otherwise known as Directions)

Take a piece of paper towel and separate the plys (if a 2 ply brand).

Dampen (not saturate) the paper towel and lay flat.

Take 6-9 seeds and place (staggered) on 1/2 of the paper towel. Don't clump them together because the sprouts will spread.

Fold over the other 1/2 of paper towel and place gently in baggie. Zip close and place in a warm spot. I use the top of my refrigerator.

It should take about 7-10 days for seeds to sprout. It really depends on the seed variety. I've had some that have taken as much as 3 weeks.  Just keep an eye that the paper towel doesn't dry out.

After about a week, take a look at your seeds.  Some will look like:

Close up of sprouted seeds

These are now ready to be put into soil for Phase 2.

Stay Tuned for Seed Starting 102.  You won't want to miss this one either.

Cheers and Happy Growing,
Lori

Decadent Chocolate Mini Egg Delights

Easter and chocolate. Chocolate and coffee. Coffee and candy. Candy and Mini Eggs. This is how my mind works (for better or worse). As I was scanning my cook books for a cookie recipe I was enjoying a coffee and some Cadbury Mini Eggs. I wondered how I could get all of that into my mouth at once... So I put down the recipe book and decided to experiment.

Please join me on this cookie ride.

Note: I let the dough set up overnight so this isn't a quick hit. I suppose you could make right away but the cookie tastes infinitely richer if it sits at minimum 6 hours.

Things You'll Need (Otherwise Known as Ingredients and Supplies)

2 cups flour	1 tsp baking soda
1 ¾ cups white (granulated) sugar	½ cup butter, melted
½ cup cocoa powder (I use an Extra Brute version from Gourmandises Avenue)	1 egg, beaten (with fork)
½ tsp salt	½ cup extra strong coffee (I use Java Blend K2 espresso)
1 to 1 ½ cups of Cadbury Mini Eggs (some to crush and some to decorate)

Cookie sheets or Whoopie Pie (Muffin Top) pans
Non-stick Spray

Things You'll Do (Otherwise known as Directions)

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour and cocoa powder.
Add sugar, salt and baking soda. Mix well.

Add melted butter and mix thoroughly (I use a mixer but not necessary).
Add egg and mix.
Add cooled coffee and mix thoroughly.

The dough should be extremely sticky with a rich colour.
Next up, take about 1 cup of Mini Eggs, put in a bag, grab a hammer and have at it! All eggs should be broken but not pulverized.

Add the mini eggs to the mixture. You can mix them in with mixer or by hand. Just mix enough so they are incorporated in the dough.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and put in fridge for at MINIMUM 6 hours. (I like overnight). Why? It allows the coffee to work and enhance the cocoa flavour. I baked a cookie after 3 hours and after overnight - the taste difference was indescribable. 

One Day Later

Now... Bear with me. There are 2 ways I have done this cookie - the choice will be dictated by the pans you are using.

Spray cookie pans with non-stick spray.

If you are using a typical cookie sheet:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Grab about a 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a bowl.
Remove dough from fridge - the dough needs to stay cold so you may have to pop it back in periodically during the baking process.

Roll the dough into one-inch diameter balls with your hands. 
Roll the dough balls in the bowl of sugar and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly and top with mini egg. press slightly into dough.
Bake at 350F for about 8-10 minutes. I like these cookies to have the consistency of a brownie so I under-cook them slightly.
Wait for 1-2 mins then move from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

If you are using a whoopie pie pan:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Remove bowl from fridge and let sit for 15-20 minutes. This dough can be a little soft.
Press dough into pan and top with a mini egg.

Bake at 350F for about 8-10 minutes. I like these cookies to have the consistency of a brownie so I under-cook them slightly.
Wait for 1-2 mins then move from cookie sheet to cooling rack. I use a very small spatula to get under the cookie to remove them from pan.

This recipe make approximately 40 cookies.

Eat and be merry!

I will say that these cookies taste best within a couple of days of baking. I have (successfully) warmed them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, topped with ice cream and KA-POW!

Cheers and Enjoy!
Lori

Being a Marshmallow in a Hard World

Prologue - Some may identify with these sentiments - I know I am not the only one.

There are days when I wonder if being a hermit might be easier. No connections, no chance of being hurt, no pressure to care.

This statement may shock and surprise many who know me. I am a self-proclaimed "Social Sally" and love to amuse and entertain others. I love people freely. Trust instinctively. Embrace totally.

But there are instances, not many but enough, that challenge how I see the world and look at people.Times when I have been broadsided by cruelty, disregard or simple meanness. Each time it happens I make the assertion that it is I who deserves it. That somehow, in some way, I am left wanting as a person.

I am... a marshmallow. Physically soft (snort - of course) but also as a person with feelings. Feelings that run deep and when hurt it takes a toll on my soul that I scarce can believe. I am exceedingly good at masking them, it's a learned skill.

I am not unique in this... Not even close. Each person has been hurt in some fashion. One is no less important than another - we all get hurt.

I have hurt others as well. Intentionally - unintentionally, it has happened. I am never proud of it, I try to rectify it and learn from it. There is likely more I should do. No, not likely more, definitely more.

But then I remember...

That each day someone lets me know they care, that friendship with me isn't a burden, that sometimes I can be amusing.

Then I sit and...

Smile because although the knock downs can be devastating, there are far more gifts given to me every day from each of you. Most times you don't even realize that it happens.

But I'm here to tell you that it does...

So hermit life isn't really going to work. Because the warmth you give far exceeds anything that could hurt.

And frankly... I can't laugh at my own shenanigans alone.

Cheers and Thank you,
Lori