Seedlings

      After the hard freeze we had at Christmas, I​ left everything in my garden alone that was directly in Mother Earth.  The dead always is an extra layer of protection until winter is over.  I will cut back in late February anything that is in the ground.  As far as the constructed beds that are replanted every season, I have turned everything over in them, added additional compost, and fertilizer.  Now, I am just happily waiting for the right times to replant them.
     On another note, I did do one thing last week while I was cleaning the above ground beds.  I decided, because I just love eating them in everything, to sow some kale seed in one of the beds that was the last to get fertilizer last summer.  I did not add fresh chicken fertilizer to that bed.  I like to rotate the beds with different fertilizers depending on what I am planting in them.  So, I just turned the soil over really well and raked it back smooth.  I always keep Kale, Collards, Mustard, and just about any other greens seed for moments just like this.  I keep my seed stored in glass Mason jars. They seem to keep better this way. 
I took a fair amount out of the Kale jar and just sprinkled by hand all over the bed.  Usually, I will mix a little sand with the seed before I sow.  It was about to rain, so I didn't do this.  I also did not rake over the seed because of the rain.  That was seven days ago.

     I took a walk out to the garden this morning after checking on my hens. Behold, I have seedlings up.  A nice garden bed full.  I guess, the few days of really warm weather and rain was the perfect combo to give the seed a kick start and bring the seedlings to life.  I have left a picture of them for those of you that are interested. I like to thin them out by pulling some up and using some seedlings (otherwise known as Microgreens now) in salads and stir-fry.  Yes, it is time consuming, but while I am harvesting these tiny greens, my mind is wondering on what I might have coming on the horizon!  Enjoy life, love others, and praise the Lord for all our blessings.  Happy Monday!