March: A Sense of Renewal

During the winter months I often have literal dreams and daydreams about early spring, when our farming season begins once again.

Every winter I have the habit of spreading seed packets out on one of my kitchen counters and spending a certain amount of time pondering over each variety. Then I count down the days to March when I will begin seeding pots and trays with tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetable varieties. I have never lost the sense of wonder that comes over me when I hold seeds in my hand and begin the process of seeding the trays, which have been filled with seed starter mix. Once the trays have been seeded, I find myself looking at them several times daily, knowing full well that it normally takes between 7-14 days for tomatoes and pepper seeds to germinate. Then it happens! The first seedling pushes its way to the surface, and then the second and third, until the entire seed tray is alive with springs renewal.

Even at the earliest of the seedlings development, I am already thinking ahead to the day when the first tomato is ripe on the vine and summer harvest begins. Today is the 13th of February, and I am looking at all of my seeds on the counter, and counting down the days until March arrives, bringing with it a new sense of renewal.

John Coykendall, Master Gardener