The mesclun seeds are already sprouting!!
This picture was taken on January 7, 2012 - only ONE WEEK after I planted the mesclun greens seeds. Mind you, this growth happened despite lack of proper insulation and during one of the heaviest snow days Chicago has had this winter.
The keys to this extraordinary growth:
1. above freezing temperatures in a green house environment
2. additional warmth and nutrition provided by a top layer of compost
3. watering weekly with a seaweed extract and water solution; 1 cap-full of extract for every 1 gallon of water
Those three steps produce some pretty magical results. In addition to mesclun greens I am also planting brussel sprouts (a personal favorite) and swiss chard. Not sure when I will start seeing real results with the brussel sprouts, but I definitely think they should be ready for next winter.
Getting back to the land and making things grow is a truly gratifying experience and I can’t wait to do more!
