The seed-starting is coming along nicely.  Transplanting to the half plastic water bottles worked out very well. They have very quickly grown roots all the way to the bottom, which I know because I can see right into it.  So that's a big advantage.  The only downside is that the shape of the bottle will make it tough to slide the whole thing out later.  I guess I'll just slice them open; it's not like I'm going to save the containers.

I started another tray of Coleus and of Creeping Thyme.  Those are the slowest to grow, and hopefully I'll have them coming along by the time they would be transplanted.

I should be able to put out the cool weather vegetables soon.  The Kale says it can be direct-sown after mid March, so presumably I should be able to start transplanting near the end of March.  That will be the Kale, the Radicchio, the Bok Choy, and hopefully the Lettuce if it gets going.  I will need to have a plan to build out the raised bed, if that's what I'm going to do.  The other thing I could do is just use that space for flowers.  Since it's up against the wall, it would be a good place for sunflowers and zinnias.

Seedlings

I transplanted some of the seedlings to just slightly larger containers.  The Kale and the Cilantro seemed to be generating very deep roots- they were all bunched up in the bottoms of the cells.  So I took some water bottles and cut off the tops, and sliced draining holes into the bottoms, and transplanted them in there.  The surface is about the same size, but it's like twice as deep.  I am hoping this will help them with their root growth.  The Radicchio seemed like it needed more space, so I transplanted those to some plastic cups, again with the bottoms all cut up for drainage.  I also have 1 Bok Choy.  For some reason, only one of the 6 sprouted, and it's taking off.

Now I have to figure out how to rig up the other grow light for these new transplanted things.  Eventually I'll get more shelves and the right hardware, but I'll prop up some bullshit in the meantime.

In place of the things I transplanted,  I started 6 packs of Kale, Romaine Lettuce and more Bok Choy.  The next round might be Spinach or Swiss Chard or Arugula.

Next, I need to get some more potting mix, and I'll start some Radishes and Peas and stuff like that.

Bulb Fail

Remember in November how I planted a bunch of bulbs in containers, and labeled them nicely, and then put them all up in the attic, where they would chill for the requisite 12 weeks.  Supposedly, I would be able to take them out and bring them into my kitchen, my bedroom, my office, and they would bloom conveniently, earlier than the ones outside, staving off my depression a little longer.

I've checked that attic room a couple times over the last 12 weeks, and it's fairly comfortable in there.  Not 40 degrees or lower.  Most of the containers are in folded up cardboard boxes, but the ones that aren't have grown substantial sprouts that are a dismally pale yellow.

I should have put those same containers outside or something.  Yeah, I know bulbs in containers outside can be hard because the soil freezes and thaws and heaves and pushes the bulbs out and then they freeze and die or whatever.  But I don't know if there is any saving these poor bastards now.  I could throw them outside, in their containers.  There are maybe 8-10 weeks before those things would come up naturally.  I don't think that's enough time for them to get the chilling they need, especially if they've already sprouted.

Apparently Grape Hyacinths are the ones that always sprout early, and everyone is cool with it.  I guess they just hang out, and they don't bud until the right time?  I'm going to put them outside, in a long container, and see how they do.  Actually, I think I will take like, half and put them outside, and the other half I'll leave in front of the window and see if there's a chance they're going to grow properly.  They don't actually look that bad. I mean, they look about like they would if everything was going well, so.

So where are we gonna put these things?

So the Kale and Radicchio are all sprouted and coming along.  The two trays of Coleus seem like they're doing ok.  I started a tray of Creeping Thyme 3 weeks ago, and only one has germinated.  That one is looking pretty ok.  I pulled that cell out (I am certain I didn't hurt it), and put it in a new 6 pack with 5 other cells with new mix and new Creeping Thyme seeds.  I started the Cilantro February 1st.   Two of them have germinated, and actually look kinda leggy... not sure what that's about.  I remember them being slow to germinate.  Also, those seeds are at least 2 years old.  I'm realizing that it's been one week, and I shouldn't expect much yet.

Based on my first attempt, I will be transplanting the Kale and the Radicchio to slightly larger containers after 3 weeks.  So, February 21st.  I'll have to set up the other light, which means going to Lowe's and buying new shelves and some kinda hardware.  I'll also need to find appropriate containers.  I think the 2 trays of Coleus, the Creeping Thyme (which may or may not keep going) and the Cilantro will still be pretty small, so they'll stay under the big light.  But transplanting the Kale and Radicchio will open up space for two different trays... I'm thinking Romaine and Bok Choy. They have a 70 and 50 days to maturity, respectively, so they should have fairly straightforward timing.   After like, 3 weeks, it will be March 15th, which is I think a reasonable time to put these little guys outside.  That will also be when we start hardening off the Kale and Radicchio.

The Peas I want to start right in the containers.  I guess that's going to be longer, 32" containers.  I guess I'll fill them with potting mix inside, in the kitchen, plant a bunch of pea seeds, and keep it inside for a few days.  Supposedly they'll sprout fast.  I guess we just throw them out in the cold?  I'll do the same with the Radishes, in the smaller 24" containers.