After unsuccessful false starts last year, I made the decision to push back my indoor sowing by a few weeks. The length of cold spring in 2022 was discouraging, and it was hard to keep plants alive long into May under grow lights.
I started sowing my tomatoes and peppers the last week of February. This year, after reading about soil blocking from several sources, I took the plunge and purchased two soil blockers. Why use soil blockers? Some of the benefits include less plastic usage and less need for storage space. I had a lot of fun “playing in the mud” making my blocks this year.
Tomatoes are typically the first to sprout. I’ve already moved 4 varieties from their tiny ¾” blocks to 2” blocks, and I’m hoping to move more this weekend. My peppers are a little slower, but I expect they will be thriving in a few more days.
Also on the early train are small peat pots of herbs- basil, chives, oregano, and lemon balm. If you’re wondering why peat pots- I’m using a mix of them and soil blocks this year because the pots were available. I don’t want to put all of my eggs in one basket, so to speak. The herbs are definitely slower to start, but I’m hoping to include herb cuttings with our early CSA boxes.
After this next snowstorm we’re predicted to get, I’ll be watching the weather and temperatures to plan out the early spring vegetables. Radishes, kale, spinach, lettuce, and peas all appreciate the cooler temperatures, and make good early spring crops. We still have a few weeks before we are out of frost danger.