Monday, May 2, 2016

If At First You Don't Succeed, Try Again


Do you remember when I posted Starting Seeds In Eggshells?

Although my first time trying the project, I totally sounded like I knew what I was doing... after all, I did my research...

                               I gave step by step directions...

                                                   I even posted pictures to go with the directions.

Well, guess what?

                 I failed!

                         I failed miserably!



The seed packets said sprouting would occur in 3 - 10 days...

Day 3...nothing

Day 4...nothing

Day 7, one week after I planted those tiny precious seeds with such high hopes...nothing

Day 10...still nothing!

I gave it a couple more days...

                                            ...nothing

                                                      ...zip

                                                            ...zilch

                                                                    ...not one sprout.

My green-thumbed Mom said I probably planted the seeds too deep.  I'm sure she was correct!

Looking back, I probably didn't keep the soil moist enough either.

And, it probably didn't help that the sun didn't peek out of those clouds for days.

Stubborn Determined to show that you don't need fancy lights or heat mats to start seeds indoors, I tried again.

I used the same prepared eggshells, just dumping out the soil and adding fresh.

I barely put an indent in the soil, planted 2 to 3 seeds and lightly, as in barely, covered the seeds with soil.

I keep the soil more moist than before...keeping a spray bottle right by the egg cartons.

I rotate the cartons between two windows, catching as much sunlight as possible.  It's still Spring though - cloudy and rainy days can't be avoided.

Look!


Day 3...Do you see that tiny purple sprout?

It's the scarlet kale!

I jumped for joy...

              I did the happy dance...

                         I squealed with delight...

                                     I talked to that little sprout...

                                                   And of course... I took a picture!

That was just the beginning!


That tiny kale sprout looks like this now.

And everything else?


Everything sprouted...


Every single eggshell has at least one sprout!

I will probably be planting the kale in the garden soon with their siblings that are already sprouting out there.  ;-)

I will most likely transplant (and possibly thin out) the tomato plants into something larger...we still have a couple weeks before we can safely plant them in the garden.

So the moral of this story...

If At First You Don't Succeed, Try Again!

6 comments:

  1. I love it...me and the grandson planted some sunflowers seeds thanks to your reminder. They are just now coming up and I can't wait till I show him. I do keep a spray bottle right next to the eggshells but I don't switch windows...maybe I should try that too! No sun here this morning maybe later in the day.

    I have yet to meet any one that is perfect at gardening...we all have our failures. The first time I planted in my garden- I planted so deep I believe China might have seen my efforts! Have a great day!

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  2. Yay! I didn't get to start any seeds this year since we were renovating the kitchen where I always keep them, so I appreciate sharing your joy at seeing the tiny plants poke their heads up. Enjoy!
    Blessings, Leigh

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  3. Great job!!!! I don't think I've ever tried the eggshell method....awesome!!

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  4. This is awesome! I love that you shared your gardening fail turned success so I could try it!

    Happy day friend!
    karianne

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  5. Most definitely! Even though my results are mixed, I still try every season to grow something. You can't succeed if you don't try. Congratulations on stickin' to it! How exciting to see all of those sweet sprouts!

    Thank you for stopping in on us at The Maple Hill Hop!

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  6. I enjoy your site and your comments. I even succeeded in getting it plugged in the Elgin, Tx, Courier a few weeks back. Need some advice about broody hens. First, must the rooster cover every hen every day to assure the eggs are fertile? Newt, what does a brood pen or house look like. I want to take broody hens away from the laying box area, and have them hatch some chicks. Do you have any plans or photos, as well as advice. Thank you for your time and effort.
    Doran Williams, Box 427, Elgin, Texas 512/856-2294

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