Ah, Spring.
You're so close, yet so far.
But we won't talk about that.
*sniff*
At the Hansen Homestead, we do a lot of things differently here.
Like remodel for no reason.
Or have three Snow Dogs because we are CRAZY.
And we like to plant things.
And watch them sprout.
Then plant them in the ground.
And watch them grow.
Friends, we're going to be very informative parents when that day comes.
Our kids will think it's perfectly normal to make your own greenhouse out of a strawberry container.
And that digging up really big worms to put in the vegetable garden is America's favorite pastime.
Baseball, MOVE OVER!
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| Sprouted Sunflowers! |
Four days ago, I decided I wanted to start sprouting my flowers.
It says I have to wait til March to plant them OUTSIDE.
But it doesn't say anything about planting them INSIDE.
I'm totally a rebel.
So, I sprouted my Sunflower and California Poppy seeds and I thought I would share my process.
Here's how we sprout seeds at the Hansen Homestead:
1. You need three things.
The first, seeds, of course!
A ziploc plastic bag (sizes can vary).
And a napkin.
Yes, I said a napkin.
2. Lightly wet the napkin.
Don't soak it.
If you soak it, your seeds may end up disintegrating and NOT sprouting.
I know this because I have done this.
I know this because I have done this.
Make sure the whole napkin is damp and then lay it on a flat surface.
Place each seed about 1/4 inch apart.
Unless your basil seeds are so small you can barely hold them between two fingers.
In which, just do your best to form some sort of row.
Unless your basil seeds are so small you can barely hold them between two fingers.
In which, just do your best to form some sort of row.
3. Once you have the seeds placed on 1/2 of the napkin, fold over the other half and make sure each seed is covered.
4. Gently place the napkin inside a plastic bag.
If you have leftover seeds, continue placing on napkin until the bag is empty.
Why do I sprout ALL the seeds?
Because not all of the seeds will grow into beautiful plants.
Some will die.
It's just a part of the planting process.
Some will die.
It's just a part of the planting process.
Also, when you have extra plants, you can GIVE THEM AWAY!
Who doesn't love free plants?!
5. Place the plastic bag on a window ledge.
It will probably take 3-4 days to sprout.
6. Once sprouted, you can plant in a miniature greenhouse.
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| These are my poppies in the window. It's like puppies, but it's poppies ;) I gave up after the first three seeds and just threw them on there. Don't be like me. Be organized! |
Where can you find a miniature greenhouse?
Lots of places!
A strawberry container.
A pound cake container.
A pound cake container.
A cardboard box you can cover with plastic.
The purpose of the greenhouse is to pull in heat while the new sprouts are rooting.
They're just babies.
They need heat.
And warmth.
They're just babies.
They need heat.
And warmth.
7. After several days, when the seeds have sprouted, plant them in a mini-greenhouse.
I planted mine about 1/2 inch apart.
Always plant with the root up!
You want them to find their way to the top!
Lightly water.
You don't want to over water.
If you do, your seeds may not make it.
Always plant with the root up!
You want them to find their way to the top!
Lightly water.
You don't want to over water.
If you do, your seeds may not make it.
Eventually, they will be moved again into a larger container to hold them as they grow.
But for now, these little containers will do the trick!
8. Place on a window ledge.
But for now, these little containers will do the trick!
8. Place on a window ledge.
Water as necessary.
If our temperature falls below 40 degrees, I will usually move the seeds to a warmer place for the night.
When sunlight appears in the morning--and things have warmed up--they will resume their place on the ledge.
The seeds I put in a plastic bag to sprout are Sweet Basil.
And I have A LOT.
Because I'm Italian.
And basil goes with EVERYTHING.
The seeds I placed into the greenhouse containers are sunflowers.
With Mother's Day not too far out, hopefully I'll have some in time to pass out to the mothers in my life!
I'm waiting on my California Poppies to sprout.
When they do, they'll be put in cardboard and covered in plastic wrap.
Hey, this blog isn't called "California Girl Meet Small Town USA" for nothing!
Oklahoma may be my current home, but California will always be the place where I was "born and bred."
I'm celebrating that with my former home's state flower :)
If our temperature falls below 40 degrees, I will usually move the seeds to a warmer place for the night.
When sunlight appears in the morning--and things have warmed up--they will resume their place on the ledge.
The seeds I put in a plastic bag to sprout are Sweet Basil.
And I have A LOT.
Because I'm Italian.
And basil goes with EVERYTHING.
The seeds I placed into the greenhouse containers are sunflowers.
With Mother's Day not too far out, hopefully I'll have some in time to pass out to the mothers in my life!
I'm waiting on my California Poppies to sprout.
When they do, they'll be put in cardboard and covered in plastic wrap.
Hey, this blog isn't called "California Girl Meet Small Town USA" for nothing!
Oklahoma may be my current home, but California will always be the place where I was "born and bred."
I'm celebrating that with my former home's state flower :)
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