Inside
“A change in the weather is known to be extreme.” – Bob Dylan

By the time this goes to print it will officially be spring and with the good graces of Mother Nature, we will be well into nicer weather. The change in the season is a much welcome time after a long winter: longer days, more light, dusting off the spring wardrobe, and packing up the winter clothes. It is also a time to emerge into the life of the neighbourhood: helping to clean up the garbage on the streets and in the park left behind by winter’s thaw and checking in with folks we haven’t seen much in the last months.

Spring is a chance to look around and see where we might make a difference, from the smallest efforts to the grandest initiatives. It all helps to make McCauley a better place to live. A neighbourhood can resist change in the same way individuals do. It takes a similar faith that our lives can improve as it does to believe our neighbourhood can improve. One small step in a hopeful direction builds possibility. I hope spring will cast more light on not just our days but on our daily lives as we go forward.

Out
April is the month when I (Jen) stop waiting and start planting. Finally. Early April is the time to start many plants indoors such as tomatoes, broccoli, kale, and lettuce. Most seeds germinate at around 21 degrees Celcius. The soil, preferably sterilized potting soil, needs to be kept moist but not sodden. A covering with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag accomplishes this, as well as acting like a greenhouse to raise the temperature (be careful not to cook your seeds on a sunny day).

I like to start my seeds in containers big enough to let them grow for the next six to eight weeks without needing to transplant them. The roots need plenty of room to avoid getting root bound in the containers. Take-away coffee cups are useful. I poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage, and simply unwrap the plants from the now slightly soggy cup when it’s time to put them into the garden. The roots are barely disturbed at all.

Once the seeds have germinated, they need bright light (sunlight or grow lamps) and cooler temperatures to grow slowly and become strong and sturdy. Running your finger across the plants regularly acts like wind to help the stems develop strength for their eventual outdoor life. As the weather warms, these babies benefit from being exposed to Life Outside, initially in dappled sunlight and minimal breeze, then gradually into more full exposure. They can be tucked into the garden in the middle of May to thrive and prosper.

Happy growing, good people of Boyle Street and McCauley. It has been a pleasure sharing my passion for growth and greening with you! This will be our last column for BMC News. Thanks for lending your ear for the last months. It has been fun.

Dan and Jen live in McCauley.