on Mar 16th, 2010The seductive lure of Spring
After four days of torrential rains and gale force winds, I caved this morning when I glimpsed the first rays of sun peeking out at me. By noon, it was warm — I mean warm enough not to need boots, mittens, and a snow jacket — and I succumbed to my baser desires. I was weak, I admit it, and I gave into my craving to start growing something. Anything. As a result I now have starter beds of vegetables all over the living room: on the coffee table, on the sideboard, on the mantlepiece. I have flats of nasturtiums, eggplants, radicchio, five varieties of heirloom tomatoes, and four types of basil. And I feel sooo good.
Why is it that the thought of new life, the sight of the first inch of daffodil greens makes us so happy? I know I’m a little warped (more than a little according to my brothers), but next to the sight of a puppy, there is little that makes me “ooh” louder than the first green shoots in a garden. Is there a twelve-step group for springaholics? A medicated patch for addicted seeders? Please point me in the right direction. I very nearly embarrassed myself by doing a happy dance after spotting a snowdrop in the Wilton Library’s garden this morning.
This happens to me every year. I can make it through Lent without eating the candy/wine/whatever I gave up, but I can’t resist starting the seeds — usually way too early. Outdoor planting in Connecticut doesn’t (or shouldn’t) start until a couple of weeks after Mother’s Day, and by that time, my seedlings have grown to plants. They’ve been repotted at least twice and the tomato plants are 15″ high. I have no will power when it comes to seeds.
I could blame it on the seed companies who bombard me with tempting catalogs, listing more varieties and more tantalizing pictures every year, but that wouldn’t be fair. They’re just doing their job. No, it’s me. I’m a seed junkie. The good news is that I always have way too many seedlings, so I’m happy to give them away to anyone less compulsive than myself. And oh, by the way, does anyone know the estimated last frost date for Southwestern Connecticut? I still have squash, peas, beans, carrots, and lettuce to get out. And the compost needs to be started. And……