So, isn't today supposed to be the first day of spring or something like that?

It's still chilly at night, but not freezing.

So today I planted some seeds: radishes, cilantro, tomatoes, and peppers.

All but the peppers were seeds I'd saved. The tomato seeds were a couple years old. I have no idea if they'll sprout. I had a good crop of cilantro last year and saved a lot of seed. Of course, you can eat them or plant them.

Two years ago, I discovered a very old packet of radish seeds on the bookcase by the front door. I tossed them in a pot and, whaddayaknow, they sprouted. They are the variety called "French breakfast" that are red and white. They were quite peppery when I ate them. I had left a couple in the dirt to see how big the bulbs would get and never got around to pulling them up, so they were there over the winter.

Last year, they were clearly not suitable for eating, so I left them and they bolted. Then I discovered radish seed pods. Yummy! You have to get them when they are young and tender -- they get pretty woody pretty quickly. But, dang! they are tasty. The three or four plants continued to flower and put out seed pods all summer. I brought in at least a quart of pods and let them dry out, then picked the seeds out.

I had planted a bunch last year in a shallow tray on the ground, but the bunnies ate most of them until I finally put some chicken wire around the container. Some of the ones that did grow are still there, so today I weeded the container and I'll let those go and see if they give me nice pods as well.

I'd like to get some icicle radish seeds and do the same thing. I love the daikon sprouts they use at the sushi bar. One year's worth of seed collecting should give me enough to start on a lifetime of making sprouts.


I do think the Babylonians were onto something. Hang your gardens... then you don't have to bend over to pull the weeds. And the bunnies can't get to your radishes.

Equinox is usually the 21st. But jealous of your planting. High for today was 1 above and it's headed back down. At least the sideways whiteout has calmed down in time for barn chores.

I'm jealous.

We had a couple of nice weekends, but we're getting a bit of snow right now.

Planting will have to wait.

French Breakfast radishes are delish!

When WTFers start planting it always seems alien to me.
Watching for the next snow storm.