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  This is the best darn weeder made in the country, and I think I've tried them all. I use it to dig weeds, tease out grass roots, and mix soil at planting time. Neither right nor left handed, it is lightweight and strong.

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  I buy all of my organic fertilizers and soil amendments at West Lebanon Supply. They carry several lines of seeds, watering devices, tomato cages, landscape fabric and much more. They also sell pet supplies - and allow dogs in the store!

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  E.C. Brown Nursery has an amazing selection of high quality trees, shrubs and perennials. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable. Looking for something unusual? E.C. Brown Nursery probably has it.

Planting Seeds Indoors

This week I started my artichokes and peppers on 3/15. I planted them in 6-packs using a 50-50 mix of standard organic potting mix from Moo-Doo, and compost. The compost provides some extra nutrition that peat-based starting mix does not have.

I also started arugula for early greens in my salads, and a new (to me) green or herb called Saltwart. I did one flat of seedlings, and placed them on an electric heat mat designed for the job of warming the soil. Today, 3/20, is the first day of spring and the two greens are up!

Today I am starting spinach seeds indoors in soil blocks. See either of my books, The Vermont Gardner’s Companion or The New Hampshire Gardener’s Companion to learn more about how to do this. Both are available at bookstores, or from my Web site, www.Gardening-Guy.com.

soil-blocks

Meanwhile, my onions and leeks  planted indoors on March 1 are up and looking good. The shallots, a variety called Prisma, did not germinate well, or are very slow in germinating.