Rewind! ...then fast forward

Here are some pictures of my mini veggie garden from the beginning...in prose

Once upon a time there were little seeds that were planted in peat pots. But they were lonely and scared of the dark.

So one day a little light came along that we'll call "Fluor" who decided to live above them.  The seeds were very excited...so excited that they decided to peek there little stems up out of the soil to see Fluor!

Pretty soon word got around to the other seeds and everyone wanted to meet Fluor so they all sprouted stems and up, up they went!  ....but some seeds couldn't grow their stems long enough and they wanted to be up higher.

...so Fluor found out that she should live closer to her little green ones.  She was a little self centered and so to draw attention to herself a little more she got some shiny goodness and surrounded herself with it.  She even got a hat to match!  The little seeds were so happy that they changed their names to plantlets.

-The end

:)  ...ah but the end is just the beginning. Just FYI and to make it a little clearer - after I did more research, I discovered that the light needs to be closer ...and reflection helps, so I pieced together this little setup.  The lid is a piece of cardboard wrapped in foil and suspended above the light.

~~~~ FAST FORWARD ~~~~

Some of the plants have begun to grow real leaves (see last post if you're confused).  It is at this point in time when I'm supposed to transplant them.  Also - some are still struggling to survive and I've determined that it's my fault - a couple of the plants grow best when planted directly into fertile soil where they are to remain (they need the rich soil and/or they can't handle the stress of moving).  I've come to the conclusion that I might lose a couple and have to start all over again with the seeds but hey, this is a learning experience. Below are some supplies I've gathered from Portland Nursery - love that place!!

and here are my updated photos:

These are what plants I have left in the peat pots.  All of which will go in the larger/longer window box you see in the supply pic above - with the addition of garlic chives too. :) From top left clockwise there are (each have 2 peat pots left/right): red bell pepper, eggplant, tomatoes, green onions, Genovese basil, sweet basil.  I know the eggplant plants on the top right look almost the same as the tomatoes but when they get leaves (and the tomatoes already are starting to) I'm sure they will look different.

This is the first planter I've filled.  Top left is the zucchini which I will be attempting to "grow vertically".  It is a bush type plant rather than a vine-like one so it will take some diligent training from what I've read.  To the right I have dill which I'm pretty sure are going to die - hopefully not but I've planted some additional seeds just in case.  Bottom left quadrant we have nasturtium which is doing lovely and already has multiple leaves.  And bottom right there is cilantro which is still a bit fragile but not in as bad of shape as the cilantro.  With both I have to keep reminding myself that less is more sort of.

The there's my strawberry jar planter - without strawberries.  In the top will be eggplant which isn't ready to be transplanted yet (no real leaves yet), but I have it all set to go (same stand/cage as for the zucchini).  The white circle in the center is my little irrigation system that I will explain a little later.  In the 6 sides I have catnip in 2, and then one each of lavender, amaranthus, oregano and thyme.

Ok - Strawberry jar irrigation - when I first got a strawberry planter I read that they have some watering issues - namely that it's difficult to evenly water all the plants/soil in the planter.  Taking some advice from article online I have narrow water bottle that I've strategically poked holes in throughout so that when I pour water into the bottom water goes directly to different areas of the planter.  

Well that's about all for now!  Hope you enjoyed - Gnite :)