Giving the Wee Small Ones their Best Start

A critical step for Baby Plants started Indoors from Seeds is "Hardening Off". That's because such Plants are not strong enough to handle the combinations of Nature over long days: Sun, Wind, Rain, varying Temperature. While robust, they are pretty weak. I think that is particularly true this Spring as we have not been having much Sun and we have not used the Grow Lights.

So, the last few days we have been taking the Baby Plants outside. Our 1st choices are those that will tolerate the cooler season. They will be transplanted in the Garden soon and include: Cabbages, Leeks, Onions, Cauliflower, Broccoli. Melanie has added Celeriac to the mix. But since the Celeriac just started on its daily excursions yesterday, it will be out for no more than a couple of hours today. All this talk makes me salivate just thinking about them.

In the beginning, their excursions were just for a couple of hours. Each day, the Baby Plants seem stronger and are able to stay out a little longer. We watch them very carefully to make sure they are doing OK. Plus, we pay attention to the drama of Winds and fast descending Temperatures which are pretty common on this shoulder season between Winter and Spring. Adequate but not too much Water is essential too.

Richard built another set of Shelves for taking the Baby Plants outside. The Shelves integrate my design and his creativity and experience in working with Natural Materials. The finished Shelves stand in a protected area outside the walk-out basement.

While the Temperatures have been accommodating these last few days, we are supposed to have Rain and Snow tomorrow. I have been talking to the Plants to let them know that their adventure outside tomorrow just may not happen in the way we would both like. Soon they will be outside all day long and in their proper homes in the Garden.

As I close this entry, I am reminded of the Mother whom I saw pushing her Baby in a modified Stroller/Buggy sort of an affair when I was in Quincy earlier in the week. She knew that it was important to take out the Wee Small One. But the Little One was protected from Winds by a tent of Blankets. At least, I am pretty sure there was a Baby inside. Wee Small Ones need their Protection. Everybody knows that.

"Hardening off" sounds pretty tough. But actually, we are just giving the Wee Small Ones their best start in their New Homes.