Where There's a Will, There's a Way (when your greenhouse is not completely built and you need to start your plants)

We have cats in the house, two to be exact. The cats are the whole reason we finally bit the bullet and purchased a greenhouse kit this year. Every year that I have started plants in the house, I have watched the cats completely devour them just about the time they were ready to transplant into the garden.

Their favorite was always the stevia …

Last year, I tried to baffle them with forks placed upside down in the pods so that the tines stood up on end and, supposedly, pricked them in the face whenever they tried to take a bite. However, they soon decided that prickly forks were worth the overall risk.

Take a look at Ginger’s guilty face:

So, back to my original thought. The greenhouse is sitting on a pile of snow right now with no panes or doors on it yet. I need to start some plants now or forfeit a crop from certain plants. We live in zone 4b and it’s just too short of a season for some things. Things that we love like melons and tomatoes.

Since I am trying to make the most of my time off from the library, and believe me when I say that it’s a blessing for me, I decided I would give starting a few plants indoors another try – at least until the greenhouse is finished and I can transition stuff to there. As an aside, I do plan to plant a whole lot more than the 72 cells I just planted today.

The newly planted tray of 72 plants in the making contains grape tomatoes, paste tomatoes, golden melon (cantaloupe), sugar baby watermelons, bee balm (lemon), an heirloom slicing tomato, tomatillos, purple celery, and some pampas and fountain grasses (beautiful cover plants for Jeff’s bird pens). I placed the tray on a heat mat that is sitting on my filing cabinet in our bedroom. It’s one of the few slightly sunny spots in the house. I’m praying it works.

Because we can’t just sit around doing nothing, even during times of being homebound in a health crisis. One of the best ways to keep your immune system strong and healthy is to keep physically active. Get fresh air. Work around the house. Take walks where you can be alone with nature (and avoid being in violation of the “lockdown”). Eat as healthy as you can by making your own meals rather than using pre-made junk foods. Soups are great and so easy to make. Throw in what you have and simmer to deliciousness. Bay leaves, if you have some, give wonderful flavor, as does oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc. Try to keep salt to a minimum. Last year, I canned up some vegetable broth that I made using up the odds and ends in the fall garden. What a great resource to have in the pantry – you might want to consider canning or freezing vegetable broth this year.

Above all, keep your mind and spirit healthy with prayer and Bible reading. Stress is a killer. Rely on the One who is in total control. Don’t worry. It’ll all be fine.