The first of firsts with my firstborn

These

are onion seeds. You put them in some seed pellets, water them, and they turn into

onion seedlings. Magic, eh? Tell me about it. You might even get all of them to sprout, if you don't have an ornery sprout like mine. Hudson, the little darling that he is, has plucked quite a few of my baby onions from their seed tray. I know this is how they are disappearing since he will declare, "Ucky!" before tossing them in the trash can nearby.

So far, my first real vegetable gardening adventure is off to a fun start. I've kept my peace lilies alive for over 6 months now (divided them all by myself!) which clearly means I'm a master gardener and can handle anything. This year I have BIG plans for a full-on garden. Why start small, I say? Patience just isn't my thing when it comes to trying new things. For example, I took up knitting just long enough to make a potholder. Nevermind that it was intended to be a scarf. Knitting schmitting, anyhow.

Hopefully my massive motivation for gardening (homestead sustainability, cheap food, tasty delights, biodiversity, street cred with the home & garden club) will keep some drive in me until harvest ends.

On the roster of things to (hopefully) grow this year:

• Tomatoes (of course) Truth is, I'm not even a big fan of tomatoes. However, I do love me some pasta sauce and salsa. More work to process, but even if I don't feel up to it by the time they're ready I know many fresh tomato enthusiasts.
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Lettuce (a magical blend)
• Onions (duh!)
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Basil

• Chives

I have plenty of yard at this here rental mansion, and I even found the perfect spot for a garden...had it not been for the stupidmotherfriggin walnut tree nearby. Evidently there is a substance in walnut trees (jugalone--of course I've researched heavily) that doesn't get along with vegetables. Specifically, tomatoes and potatoes are no match. I do know that onions, beans, and carrots are "tolerant" of jugalone, but what the hey does "tolerant" really mean? Tolerant as in, "Your jugalone is laughable, walnut tree," or tolerant as in, "Holy crud, there's a very slight chance I miiiight think about producing a veggie."

The next best spot is a ways down the hill and behind the house--not nearly as convenient as the jugalone spot: right next to the house, outside Hudson's room window, and right next to the spigot.

What's a self-proclaimed master amateur gardener girl to do? One thing's for sure, I'm not askin' this crazy loon.