Sprouts

Some of my sprouts are so little that I can't event get my camera to focus on them! Truth be told, I could use a fancier camera, but those sprouts are tiny. One brave rosemary seedling has made its way up - the other rosemary and lavender (The lavender is called White Ice Lace, Rebecca) planted at the same time seem to still be sleeping. This isn't too surprising since the germination time for them are to be 15-25 days and 21-28 days respectively. No wonder they were the first to be planted. We are at three weeks today! Come on guys.

Last weekend I ventured out to check on the tulips. There was still a bit of snow on the ground but I found the heads of tulips beginning to make their way out of the muddy soil. It's a little thrilling to find the first real proof of spring. Again, I had trouble getting a photo that successfully focused in on those greens.

The garlic has sprouted as well. The one tester I kept indoors came up first and now has a stalk about 5 inches tall. Those out in the sun-porch have been slower to show up, but are beginning to find their way to the top.

And on to the next group of planting. Last Saturday I pulled out the seeds for chives, basil, dill and parsley - a total of 7 varieties. I also dug out coleus seeds to start - these plants will be used for some of my colorful ground cover (in the shade). I now have quite the seedling production underway.

Tomorrow I'll be starting heirloom tomato seeds just in from my mom:

• Brandywine - A favorite of my mom's
  
• Amber Colored - We both grew last year and enjoyed
  
• Julia Child - New and couldn't be resisted
  
• Italian Heirloom - Another new one
  

If all goes well, there will be some canning of tomatoes in the near future!