Seedling Time!

It's seedling time at Little Scotia! 13 days ago I put tomatoes, peppers, and beets in to start. (I've never started beets indoors before, but it was suggested to me that I do, so we'll see.)

This is the first year I've used these Coco seed started pellets to start my seedlings. It's also making me a little nervous. The idea is that they hold water longer, so you are supposed to be able to water less. I'm watching them closely. 

a little container with some herbs.

coconut expanding seedling growing pellets.

The beets are in the square containers with coco filling seedling starter. The square (is it peat? I can't recall, they are from last year.) have started to develop mold. Ugh. so today I'll be spraying that with a peroxide mixture, and covering the whole thing with soil. I'm wondering if they have to go out earlier.

In OTHER news, Here's a BUNCH of free information to help your garden this year! Information for beginners and old pros! :) Enjoy! I'm watching a video or two a day, while doing other things around the house (or during the time I would normally be brainlessly playing facebook games.)

Home Grown Food Summit - Click Here

Seed Cataloges Are IN

Seed Catalogues are in.

After going through my seed stash from last year, I really REALLY don't need to buy any new seeds. Except for some Zucchini (how did I save ZERO seeds last year?) and also green pepper. I have TONNES of lettuce seeds, mesclun mix, beets... I have about 10 seeds each from about 5 different types of tomatoes. Lots left.

Provided all of them are viable. Which you just know they won't ALL be.

So, I should TOTALLY place an order.

Totally.

First Preserves of my Year! RADISH RELISH

Every year I plant radishes. Because they are one of the first things that can go in! They go next to the lettuces and the Swiss Chard... just after the peas. But, every year I think "what the heck do I do with all of these radishes!" Mainly because I like a tiny little bit in salads, and that's about it.

So, this year, I decided I would find some way to preserve them. I'm pretty tickled with the results.

RADISH RELISH

INGREDIENTS
3 cups stemmed radishes
2 large ribs celery
1 large red onion
2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 tbls mustard seed
2 tsp dill seed
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 cup vinegar
2 tbls prepared horseradish

METHOD

Put the radishes, celery and onion through the coarse blade of a grinder, or chop them finely (A food processor was WAY easier than attempting to chop all this produce!) Mix with remaining ingredients and allow to stand three hours. Bring to a boil in a large pan and cook ten
 minutes. Pour into hot jars, leaving half-inch head space. Adjust lids and process 1/2 pints and pints in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.


I used the smallest jars I had, only because I really wasn't sure what this was going to taste like! I figured it would most likely get consumed in small quantities. However, it's not spicy or hot at all, but really flavourful! Will be nice on sandwiches as well as burgers or hot dogs, or even to mix in with creamy salad dressings.