Getting the first year seeds started required getting started in the house, and getting a little creative on where to put them to keep them warm. In Colorado, our late frost is usually in Mid-May which means that the early seed plantings need to happen in early to mid March.
This year, we started our heirloom seeds that we have been ordering over the course of months waiting for this day in commodity seed starting kits.
Planning for a Greenhouse
The hope at some point is to have a greenhouse near the house which we can use to preserve plants over the winter and accelerate seed starts during the late winter / early spring. There are so many other projects that need to be done in our first year on the homestead, however, that it seems a bit of a further dream away!
Involving the Kids
The kids enjoyed this first project, and fought about who got to plant which seeds, and who watered which rows of the seed starter kits. One of the things we are trying to do is share the ups and downs (mostly ups) of the homestead with the kids during this first year. Both of our daughters are young enough to position some of the work as an adventure, and hopefully help them learn that the way that we raise food and animals can be both sustenance and an entertaining pastime – even if it is perhaps more intensive than sitting on the couch watching TV!
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