riverrim

My lettuce seedlings are getting tall enough to tickle the tops!  I have been taking them for a walk to the growhouse each day.  The temperatures dive down to 21 degrees at night out there, so I have to bring them inside for the evening. This process is know as "hardening them off."   No wonder there are certain areas of the greenhouse that they call the "nursery".  Young seedlings need constant attention, just like a baby!  As you can see by the photo, most of the seedlings still have their primary leaves.  Once they sprout their secondary set, I will lift them into a larger container for a few weeks before setting them directly outside.  The cold temps are concern for a fungus, or a dampening off of the seedlings.  Cold and moist are not a good combination for seedlings.  I sprits my seedlings with a weak solution of chamomile tea to discourage any "dampening off micro organisms" that might be lurking.

I have been so busy with so many "to do" items...that I have not been finishing any fiber arts...As a matter of fact, it seems I keep starting new items, like the Embossed Leaves Socks from Interweave Knits Winter 05.  I really like the pattern, and it challenged me in the form of learning to read a chart pattern.  I'm from the old school, and like my patterns written out.  I almost caved and typed out a separate sheet to follow, but my libriarian enlarged the chart, so now I find it easier to read.

 

So....

L� Fh�ile P�draig Sona Daoibh

 

Dydd Gŵyl Padrig Hapus
DEETH GOOEEL PAD-rigg HAPP-iss (TH as in That)
Happy St. Patrick's Day (Welsh)

 

and

 

Pionta Guinness, le do thoil
Pin-tah Guiness, le doh hull
A pint of Guiness, please!