On April 12th, I planted seeds. I filled two planting trays (from a local hardware store) with soil from our backyard. With a pencil eraser, I stamped one shallow hole in each cell and dropped a few seeds in each. Every package of seeds had different directions. Some seeds you’re supposed to soak first, and some say that the seedlings won’t stand transplantation. But, I was already feeling like I was missing the window for getting seeds started inside. I should have started the tomatoes inside in February, but never got around to it. Starting them this late may prove fruitless, literally. Every weekend has been eaten up by different social events, so capitalizing on that free Sunday afternoon to get the seeds in the soil seemed imperative.

Because I acted somewhat rashly and didn’t exactly follow the instructions on the individual packets, I had prepared myself to not see much germination. But, I was wrong — the little seedlings have poked out of the soil already! The tomatoes, dill, thyme and sweet basil are all up and have been for a few days. I’m expecting the sage, rosemary, peppers, and cilantro to come up any day now.

I have them on a newspaper lined window sill. Because that window isn’t south facing, I have the trays under a lamp to keep them warm. The planter comes with a plastic dome top that fits on the tray, which acts like a mini greenhouse. Right now, I’m focusing on keeping the soil moist without drowning the seeds. I feel as anxious as an expectant mother.

The next step is to thin the seedlings so that they don’t overcrowd each other. In a couple of weeks it will be warm enough to put the plants outside or to even transplant them right into the ground. I didn’t start the lettuces and other greens inside, because they don’t need much of a head start. You can plant arugula, for example, straight into the ground and eat it all summer long and into the late fall. With hay to protect it, arugula can even last into the winter under the snow.

I’m really excited by the prospect of having my own garden because I just made a birthday dinner for my mom last night and dropped about $6.00 on fresh herbs for one meal. The same $6.00 spent on seeds will keep us fed us all summer and fall. Just makes sense to grow your own.