Note: this post was started a couple weeks ago, specifically the first week of March. I think it is still good for most of us. We had the first nice warmish weekend of the year this weekend, and I took the chance to go out and get some containers for future use in the garden.

We’re going to build a 3′ x 3′ box for the lettuce, carrots, and some of the shorter herbs, and I bought a few plastic containers for our tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and beans. In the 3′ x 3′ box, we’re going to do square foot gardening as usual. We bought some other containers for our lettuce and carrots. It is all containers this year! They are easier to move and don’t require building anything.

I also started the seeds for our tomato and pepper plants today. I will be starting our cucumber seeds in a couple weeks, as they take less time to grow and I don’t want them to get too leggy before getting outside. While doing that, I took some photos to record my process so I could share it with all of you.

Supplies used:

peat pellets (I like these because they are cheap, easy to find,  and last for years, plus you don’t have to take the plant out of the peat thingie when you transplant it)
small bowl of water
seeds  (I got mine from John Scheepers this year)
toothpicks

for post-planting:
masking tape
sharpie markers
ziploc bags
container for your seedlings to sit in after being started (I use a tupperware)

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I bought my seeds for this year’s garden today. How exciting! I’d gotten catalogs from several companies: John Scheepers, Seed Savers, Seeds of Change, but not Baker Creek. (Apparently, Baker Creek had more catalog requests than expected, and they haven’t shipped the second set yet.) After looking over the catalogs, I decided to go with John Scheepers, as they carry the specific cherry tomato that I wanted by itself.

Here are some of the things I ordered. If we need any more, or the seedlings don’t do well, I will supplement what we have with transplants from the farmer’s market or garden center. Most of these are varieties I’ve never planted before.

Jade Green Bush Beans

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