Today I planted seeds and pruned grapes.

I feel late to start seeds, but since I’ve jumped the gun so many times before, it’s probably for the best.
I remade all the paper pots that I rolled back in January because they were wonky and did not survive storage in a paper shopping bag. Apparently, paper pots are attractive nest fodder for kittens.

The rejiggered pots are much more durable and need far less paper than the first round. Rather than doubling the paper as in the demo video, I just folded the top edge, and went after a much shorter pot with a more solid bottom.
(That’s morning glory seeds soaking in the jar, and a jar of last year’s pickles in the background)

After the pots were made, I set myself to the task of choosing which seeds to start. Tomatoes, borage, morning glories, marigolds, thyme, basil (questionable seed), sweet alyssum, bachelor’s buttons (ancient seed), more tomatoes, pinks, and more marigolds went in. Planting went easy, in a purchased seed starting mix. For the flowers, which I’ll be able to put out from very small seedlings in about a month, I just used egg cartons. I am very committed to the Butter & Eggs marigolds, so they merited paper pots.

As I planted, the cats went berzerk because a bee was in the house. Bees? Already? It was 35 degrees two days ago! Paul helped it out the window, where I hope it won’t die without anything to eat. If I was a real hippie, I would have made it a little nest in a paper cup and fed it nectar with a pipette, but I am clearly a meanie.

Then, I tackled the complicated part, cat-proofing the seedling area. I used a bunch of bread delivery trays to construct a cage of sorts.

Then a nap, then Jeff came over to check out the diggings. We gossiped, ate sfogliatelle and then Jeff helped me clear vines out of the back corner.

After he left, I cut back about half of the grapes. Not sure if I’m doing it right, but I found multiple instances where canes that I pruned last year grew several fruiting canes. Tomorrow, I’ll do the rest.

I went upstairs when it got dark, and the cats had already gotten into the seedling cage. Paul and I made it stronger. We can no longer open the freezer without removing the top cover, but hopefully it’ll last longer. Grrrr.

A long day of bees and scheming about destruction.