I love the way the microgreens look in these new packages. These are 100% recycled content too. Anyhow, these are Arugula (top left ), Mizuna – an asian green (top right), Red Garnet Amaranth – tastes a little like a beet (bottom left) and Sorrel – has a bit of a citrus-y zest to it (bottom right).
Tomatoes, peppers and herbs growing nicely. They still aren’t looking like much, but all are strong and healthy. I can’t wait until they start looking more like peppers or tomatoes.
Did you know that seeds sprout in one of two forms? They start life with either 1 or 2 embryonic leaves.
Grasses, corn and wheat are an example of a MONOCOT and have a single leaf.
Beans, tomatoes and peppers are a DICOT and have two leaves when they sprout.
In the picture, the seedlings on the left are cucumber, a dicot type seed, and you can clearly see 2 separate leaves. The seedlings on the right are corn, a monocot, and although it blends into the background a little bit, you can see that it only has a single leaf when it is starting out.
Didn’t you always want to know that?
Tomatoes – done. Peppers, all done except for the Jalepenos, they got a late start. Herbs underway…
I thought I had a bug infestation (or mini octopus tentacles, or dried mushrooms) in one of my new seed packets when I opened it…
| This seed: | Turns into this flower: |
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It is crazy how different seeds and any of natures creations are, and how living things adapt their form to meet the needs of the environment. I’m interested as to what purpose the shape of this seed serves to this plant. If I find out something interesting, I’ll let you know.
This is the Calendula flower. I have this edible and medicinal flower growing now, ready about the end of April.
From WebMD:
Calendula is a plant. The flower is used to make medicine.
Calendula flower is used to prevent muscle spasms, start menstrual periods, and reduce fever. It is also used for treating sore throat and mouth, menstrual cramps, cancer, and stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Calendula is applied to the skin to reduce pain and swelling (inflammation) and to treat poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers. It is also applied to the skin (used topically) for nosebleeds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum (proctitis), and inflammation of the lining of the eyelid (conjunctivitis).
Don’t confuse calendula with ornamental marigolds of the Tagets genus, which are commonly grown in vegetable gardens.
How does it work?
It is thought that the chemicals in calendula help new tissue grow in wounds and decrease swelling in the mouth and throat.
Well the peppers and tomatoes have been germinating sprouting up under the ‘incubator’ lights for about 2 weeks already. I start them in a sterile soil-less mixture. Now I am beginning to transplant them into the organic soil and pots that will eventually go into your gardens. By time I am done transplanting all of these it will be time to get the quicker growers started.
I’ve got 390 tomatoes in 8 varieties and 380 peppers in 10 different varieties to get transplanted this weekend. With all the other herbs and leafy greens growing right now, It is really going to look like a mini jungle in here when all these get a few inches taller.
In honor of the day, 17 March 2017, get 17% off any of garden-starter greens order over $10. Use coupon code 17Mar17. Coupon is only good today!
Well, I finally got the Facebook page up and running. (https://www.facebook.com/SproutFarmsLLC/) @SproutFarmsLLC
I still don’t fully understand how it works, but it seems like a decent enough spot to post my pictures. I doubt I’ll do any of the e-commerce there, but at least it is there, and I can update and communicate with people without them (you) having to create a new process to follow my site.
I enjoy growing my greens and vegetables, but I really enjoy eating meats and seafood. Mind you, I don’t have any problems eating my greens, but is doesn’t hurt to have awesome chefs bringing the two together.
I was recently introduced to Lisa Pucci Delgado, a personal chef here in NE Ohio. (Thanks Jean!) When I first read her introductory email and her accomplishments at O’dark-early in the morning, I thought it was another spam junkmail. Once I woke all the way up, I realized she was for real. Anyhow, last week she and her husband came to visit the farm and pick up a few leafy greens and micro greens for one of her menus. Lisa sent me a few pictures of the meal she created. The first is Caviar and Sea Scallop with Spicy Mix Microgreens, then a Wagyu Foie Gras over Toscano Kale, and last is a Spicy Cumin Buffalo Hangar Steak with bits of Daikon Radish Microgreens.
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This is what I read in her email… It was exciting to see such an accomplished chef ‘randomly’ emailing me (a small start-up farm) about using my products in her menus.
Go to Lisa’s website (www.whatsfordinnerlpd.com) by clicking the icon below. If you book her for one of her private meals, don’t forget to invite me!
Lisa, it was great meeting you and your husband last week, I look forward to working with you and growing more produce for your awesome culinary creations!
First, I’ve got a couple new items on order, and have them now available on the website:
Also, I am working on getting a Facebook page for the farm – so….. YAY!? I realize it is an evil necessity, so I am going to do it. Hopefully I can integrate it enough with this site so that I am not having to manage 2 different sites. I’ll be sure to make a post here with a link to the Facebook page. yay.
…but still want to take advantage of the early bird discount? Reserve an 18-plant combo and let me do it for you. I can select the plants or work with you to tailor the contents while still locking in your early bird discount.
These pots are waiting for your plants. ORDER HERE.
