OMG, don't get me started! We're going to have to buy seedlings this year, it's almost Easter, my daffodils are barely starting to bud and we've had snow the past 2 days! I don't have a good place to start seed, and I have no idea when we can plant - my Dad says usually Memorial Day ????

Where do you live?

We're in Western Washington (the state). We've seen some sun, and some daffodils and the spring tree blossoms, but that doesn't mean it's going to stay warm! (It was nearly 70 degrees yesterday, but they're talking about snow in the rain this weekend.) After seeing snow last May and the cold temps into June, I think I should be OK starting seeds now. My parents' neighbor always said the only advantage to planting early is if you like to weed. ;-) I just want to make sure these plants are big and strong, so maybe I can have some red tomatoes this year after last year's BIG crop of green ones. Last year I ended up buying a lot of seedlings, but I figure that really diminished any savings I might have had in growing my own produce...So I spent $100 on seeds instead. (ouch)

I'm waiting to see the new oven KAW thread rhome! I'm so excited for you .... Friday right?

What's KAW? Yeah for getting your new oven!

We bought tomato seedlings (Sweet 100s) at Walmart last year, we did get tomatoes. Everything DH started from seed in the basement (one big south window in walkout) or started in the ground never produced. Cantaloupe, peas, cucumber, squash, carrots - the carrot tops grew nicely but whenever DD and I pulled any, thinking we'd get "baby" carrots b/c the stems were over 6-8" tall, we got tiny little slivers. Then they died when it got too cold.

Sorry OT - should move to Gardening Forum LOL.

Some of our seedlings are getting a little leggy, but we can't get them in the ground yet because it snowed the last two days(in mid April!) Our lilies don't care about the snow because they've been pushing up this last week.

What a great use of your island! I love kitchen at work photos. They give me license to post photos even when my space isn't "pressed & dressed."

Oh, I have gardening envy! We had such a nice garden at our old house, and the next owners tilled it up so they would have somewhere to park their boat! :-(
Now, we have so much shade that I only have two 4x8 beds. I keep reminding myself that that will be enough work this year, with a baby due at the end of May!
What kind of seeds did you start? I will probably buy seedlings this year, and plant some sugar snap peas, too. The best starts I ever had were crackerjack marigolds-no food value, but they were beautiful!

Seeing your wonderful kitchen in use makes me impatient to get mine done! Have fun!

I want to know what KAW stands for too- (woke up with a migraine so too difficult to try and figure it out! :>)

I sell seeds for a living, and haven't even started any this year- just the inspiration I needed (Have done lots of cuttings though- so not completely behind).

I got it! Kitchen At Work

Yep, KAW = Kitchen At Work...Thanks to Trailrunner, I believe.

We just put in a few garden boxes/raised beds last year and this year I'm pushing for more. DH is even seriously talking about building me a greenhouse...YAY! I am no garden expert, but hope to learn more and get better.

Yesterday I planted 6 kinds of tomatoes, 5 kinds of peppers, and then in the remaining space, which wasn't much, I planted leeks, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, basil, and kale. I always overplant 'to make sure' then hate to pull out the extra baby plants...But I will have to with as many seeds as I put in this time. Or I'll have to start selling seedlings! I will direct plant green beans, carrots, beets, cukes, and different kinds of squash. I want to find some Walla Walla onion sets also.

Timber.j, thank you for reminding me about Marigolds. I keep forgetting to plant them, and they're supposed to be great about keeping away certain bugs. We stopped planting peas, which I love, because we would find the little white worms inside and that was gross. Any way to avoid them that anyone knows of?

Elyse, I'm hoping to break in my new oven for our Friday Pizza Night! (Maybe I shouldn't use the word "break") My family is hesitant to count on having the new oven, since we've had so many false starts already. It also depends on what time they come to install, since it'll need a couple hours to burn off the newness.

What fun! Do you give seed starting lessons? I've tried so many times, and end up with nothing. Come help me get my island working in a few months :)

I'd love to, Cotehele, but maybe you should wait to see if mine come up... ;-)

Awesome! I'm jealous since I've had to divert my attention to our upcoming move and all the last details of the house, so no plantings this year except for some annuals.

It's usually safe in Chicago to plant after mother's day, but this year has been a very cold spring. crocus' are out, but just starting to see the daff's come up. Hope your seeds do well!