Lessons learned, Year 1: unless operating at a significantly larger scale than we currently are, and with no single, dedicated space to incubate and raise vegetable starts from seed (and especially without a *nearby* spot to harden-off the plants for their final two weeks) it generally is a losing proposition in terms of time and effort.

At $4 per vegetable ‘start’ sold at a retail nursery, a $200 outlay in late-April would save the expense and effort of buying and tending to seeds, soil, trays, etc., (approx $35) throughout the preceding 8-10 weeks,. Given that perhaps half of a 375-square ft garden area will be occupied by vegetables that do best being direct-sown, when averaging 24″ between plants, the total count of plants from each approach end up being about equal. The additional cost in dollars is $170; the savings are 10-12 hours of work as well as the space and cognitive overhead involved throughout Feb, Mar, and Apr.

Another significant benefit is that ‘starts’ are generally significantly stronger and closer to maturity. The only drawback I immediately recognize is the smaller selection of cultivars available as starts.

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currently reading: The Common Uncommon by Berndt Heinrich (2026)

last full listens: I’m only F**cking Myself by Lola Young and Concierto (CTI Records 40th Anniversary Edition) by Jim Hall (1975).

currently watching: NHL Playoffs, when I can.

On [growing] cut flowers:

“…grow the right plants for cutting: annuals and biennials, for example. Start them off from seed, then pinch out the seedlings when three sets of true leaves have formed: just squeeze off the growing tip between your finger and thumb. This gives a much bushier and more productive plant… stocky not whippy…”

“Picking above a pair of leaves promotes axillary bud formation. By picking one flower, you create the potential for at least two more in a week or ten days.”

“Sear to stop flopping… plunging stem ends into boiling water to maximize a flower’s longevity… the time in the boiling water is proportional to the texture of the stem. Soft stems…few seconds…. woody stems more like 30 seconds… The length of the stem you sear is proportional… about ten percent of overall [stem] length…. keep flower heads away from the steam. Enclose them in a sheet of newspaper if you need to.”

Rest the flowers overnight…”somewhere cool… cold but not freezing, makes a huge difference to the vase life of any flower.”

“Some flowers, such as hellebores, hostas, hydrangeas and peonies, benefit from submerssion. Float them in a large bowl, sink or bath of tepid water, pushing them below water level, the whole flower head as well as the stem. A few hours will do, but if you can, leave them overnight.”

-Sarah Raven, teacher, broadcaster, author. [Podcaster of ‘Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange’; owner of sarahraven.com]

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Ideas for leftover mashed potatoes and lamb shanks:

In 1966, George Hoffnagel and Chet Poetsch worked at Richardson-Vicks, Inc. and came up with a “liquid, multi-symptom relief formula” to promote Nighttime Tranquility for those batting the common cold. This was the first of its kind. We know it by the name NyQuil.

After dealing w a cold the last three days, I feel that Hoffnagel and Poetsch deserve far more credit for their contributions to society. (They should be household names.)

Made two boules today. 13 hours, start to finish. I’ve been under-proofing sourdoughs consistently of late and judged the bulk-fermentation solely on rise today– probably for the first time. It took 7 hours to get to a solid 50+% rise in the bulk stage despite the house being ~70’F. No over-proofing took place though and they had great structure, and solid spring. Best ears I’ve seen on a loaf of mine since California and the dough had all the integrity you want as it was moved from basket to oven.

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Started 40 Broccoli plants today (Nutri-bud, & Waltham 29s) and 20 Morden Miniature Eggplants. One day there will be jars of makdous that all started as seeds on February 22nd. Set up 2 window sill seed trays with 40 more cells for next steps.. .

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last listens: Rant and Rave with the Stray Cats by The Stray Cats (1983), Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2004), No More Shall We Part by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2001), Abbey Road by the Beatles (1969), Break Stuff by the Vijay Iyer Trio (2015)

Last Watched: The Bear, Season 1 (FX)

Currently reading: books on garden design, books on cooking.

simply noting: I am at the point where I have to check the authenticity of videos as milquetoast as this (when they show up in my Instagram feed as this one did for example) to trust that they are not DeepFakes/AI disinformation thrown into the digital ecosystem.

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I began a sourdough starter last weekend and ended up makiing a pair of sourdough loaves this weekend – the first ones I believe I’ve made since leaving California. They came out better than I expected for having such young starter and having been out of the game so long. Breakfast this morning was smashed avocados on toasted sourdough, and it was on point.

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most recent podcast: The Ezra Klein Show: Venezuela, Renee Good and Trump’s ‘Assault on Hope’ (with Masha Gessen)