Do you grow? It is almost time to start seeds!!

Growing stuff. I love it. I love everything about, and am only a newbie with so much to learn. I would say that seeds began my journey to here.

me last year in the seedling area

Three years ago I was given a box of seeds from a friend who didn't want them anymore. Some flowers, tomatoes and hot peppers. At the time, we lived in a condo (that we couldn't afford) with no yard or privacy and we were totally detached from nature. Depression and agoraphobia were also in play and I had chosen (after 6 years) to go off pharmaceutical drugs and get my life back.

Without anywhere to plant them, I started some of the seeds. Ok, I started tons of them. A baker's rack and some sunblaster lights in my living room and I had 16 trays of plants started. I had no idea what I was doing, no fans or nutrients. They grew anyways and I was hooked.

My first grow rig!

I had visions of growing my own food, feeding our whole street....donating to people who needed good food. See, I had just learned of the #foodisfree movement and for the first time in years I was excited about something. I wanted to grow healthy food for anyone who needed it. Food is medicine, food is free..... I rented a community garden plot (the closest I could get to a garden) and waited for spring.

Our 2 #foodisfree rows from our first garden in 2015. My 8 (then) year old made the sign:) We shared so many tomatoes and kale!

In the meantime, we were struggling with mounting bills and frustrating neighbors. It didn't feel worth the fight to stay afloat there. We weren't happy and had no freedom. I started searching for a cheaper house to rent...that led me to country listings. The houses were far away, but affordable. Did I mention we had no vehicle at then either? A house not on a bus route was out of the question, we had 2 children in 2 schools and work to get to and from.

It turned out, the universe had my back. Where we were living was full on city, (silicon valley of Ottawa actually) but the outskirts. The "country" starts a mere 10 minute drive from our old house, down a long unlit road with a few old farms and local businesses. We were lucky enough to find a house on that stretch of road, on 19 acres! Close enough to walk 15 min to the bus stop or store but far enough to be secluded.

In the beginning...

It had well water (no city water bill or flouride!) and rent that was $400 less than we were paying. This land was overgrown and there was debris from previous tenants...we took it on. The payoff was a homestead where I could have gardens, fires, livestock, bees, free running children and blast music. Unheard of in the city!! I couldn't believe our luck. We moved within 10 days and have never looked back. It is tiny, we purged so many things to move here. Within 3 weeks, we had borrowed a mini ex and got to work cleaning debris and made me a garden! It was huge because we had the space...I planted over 400 seedlings and lots of packs of seeds.

Before

The seedlings found a home!

And turned into this.....

I threw myself into homesteading and nature. It was a new beginning. It was the best decision ever. Moving here saved me, it helped reconnect our family and realign our morals and values.

Ooops....back to growing stuff! It is time to set up where the plants start, and this year we are trying some new things as well as some tried and true stuff. We are revamping our grow room to make better use of our existing lights and have changed our watering game. I plan on blogging about everything from seed to harvest....but first, seedlings.

Starting Monday when I start my first seeds of the year, I will be posting how we get it done around here and I would love to see how you get your seedlings going over the winter! #doyougrow.....Are you into stratification? Do you start them in the house? In a greenhouse? Artificial or natural Lights? Do you start them early or are you a direct seeder? Soil or soil-less? Plant by the moon or according to frost warnings? I love learning and would love to hear from you!

I am off to dig out my grow lights and start counting trays....when are you starting your seeds? Let me know!

Thank you for reading! Take care of you and yours❤