Earth Hour is Tonight !!!

If you have not heard by now, tonight is the night to turn out your lights between 8:00 and 9:00 pm as part of Earth Hour. I guess that means the grow lights too.

It's a small thing for each individual, but done collectively, it can speak volumes.

Let the Games Begin

Well the season has begun. These balmy Washington temperatures had me out of doors today at the potting bench setting up a tray to start artichokes in. Artichokes are finicky as seedlings ... prone to damping off. So after years of trial and error here is my solution. I score each seed need the tip with a nail file. Then I set out 12 seeds on wet paper (6 Northern Star and 6 Emerald) over night. Meanwhile I prepare the trays with a germinating mix and place the tray on a seed heating mat to warm up the soil.
Once planted, I monitor the moisture carefully erring on the side of dry rather than wet. If I have to be away from home for a time, I will remove from the heat and just let them sit in the open air.

In honor of the day, I bought two luscious California artichokes to have for dinner. Yum

opening up the seed boxes