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| My first harvest is about to be executed |
Practice what you pray. Last
year I already gave it a try, but a transfer to Milano made it impossible
to fulfill the whole growing process. This
year another try, in a more capable house and a suitable climate. A report of
the first few months and the first harvest.
I started on a sunny and reasonably mild day in February. I
took the seeds I brought from Holland and put them in the soil I put in some
recycled egg-boxes. Every day they were given some water and attention. After a few days they
even opened-up and showed some green. But then the winter returned, it got cold
again, and the seeds decided to give up: it wasn’t the right time yet.
So a few weeks later, when the spring was definitely coming,
I tried it again. This time successfully. After a long week the sprouts were
even big enough to replace them in bigger baskets. And since temperature was
rising, I could them place them outside as well.
Being outside in a mild or even warm climate, touched by the
sun some hours a day and enough rain to still their thirst gave them the power
to grow. And now, after 3 or 4 months, they really start to become something.
Not only did we already enjoy some of the rucola and basil, we already see the
first flowers on the tomato plants and a carrot is coming up. This
is where you can see some pictures.
Although patience isn’t my strongest characteristic, waiting
for my own harvest gives a satisfying effect. Especially because you can follow
the process, learn which things go well and which aren’t (f.e. sage doesn’t go
very well in the sun, tomato plants need a lot of space for their roots) and profit
from your work while eating good, local food.
Some suggestions? Use the right seeds, preferably those you got
from friends but at least the ones that allow you to use the seeds you obtained
from your fruits, again in the next year. Furthermore you need to find the
right place (we have big windowsills) and the right exposure to the sun
(all-day sun means that you need to give a lot of water). And for the rest it
is trial and error: what soil is best, how often to water them, the size of the
containers, etc. Just try it. Like many do. You will learn it yourself!
