Inspired by Dogs & Nature
Posted on March 11, 2020 by Tammie Rogers
Alrighty then! Just five days after putting three tablespoons of alfalfa seeds in a 32 0z. Mason jar with some water and I think I will harvest them this evening. I’m having constant thoughts about food – and what sort of sandwich really deserves these beauties! We are super busy preparing to send home two Service Dogs this coming weekend, but I still think that an extra trip to the store for just the right ingredients is in order.
The lettuce and arugula seedlings continue to grow in their rockwool cubes. Yesterday, I put them under the grow lights for a few hours. This morning, they have shot up more. The arugula has grown above the tops of the cubes. I am waiting to see roots extending down through the bottom of the cube. Then, they can be transferred to the next vessel.
I’ve received all the supplies to be able to transfer the lettuce and arugula to their final growing jars. Once the seedlings are ready to transplant, I will mix the nutrients in distilled water, separate the rockwool cubes. Cull plants to one per cube. Put one cube in a net cup. Surround with a supporting medium (I happened to purchase clay balls – not shown in the photo below.) Then, suspend the cup in the water so that the roots just barely reach the surface of the water. The roots will “sense” the water and grow downwards into it. At that stage, it will be important to shield the jars from excess sunlight, or algae will grow which will harm the roots. I’ve purchased a large, black dishpan in which I will put all the jars. What I’ve read is that about 14 days later, the first leaves can be harvested.
Category: Growing Plants, My life stories, Nature