First Seedlings 2015

Our location in Maryland is part of hardiness zone 7a, meaning that normal winter low temperatures fall somewhere between 0 and 5 degrees F.  Starting seedlings indoors last year in February left us feeling as though we should have started earlier.  So, to get a jump on this year's growing season we started today, a moderate mid-January day with temperatures hovering above freezing.  Using the rack we built this time last year, we assembled 13 trays of spinach, lettuce, kale, Asian greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard, bok choi, and peas.  Once these plants are established we will move them into the hoop house or plant them directly in the garden under plastic row covers.  As space is freed on the rack we will start a round of cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, and the like.

The grow lights  have been improved by replacing

 their fixed hanging wires with chains.  This allows

 us to adjust the lights closer to the trays.