Time for a subject change, seems to me.

It's nearly spring, thank the good Lord, and that means time for starting seeds. I hope many now "get" how important growing your own food is, and that we cannot refuse to expend the work and energy any longer, but MUST get on it.

This year make a commmitment to yourself, if you are a newbie at growing things, to work at growing a set number and type of thing. Radishes grow easier than anything else, so put those at the top of your list. Radish and lettuce seed mixed together means radishes will break the surface of the soil, allowing lettuce seed to come up. Pick a few more of your favorites, and get to work.

All seed beds MUST be watered at least once a day until the seeds come up. Just soak the surface, so that the soil remains damp and the seedlings can break through. No water equals dead seeds.

Learn to watch for bugs predating your plants, and learn to water appropriately and sufficiently. After seeds break through soil, you must water to below the level of the bottom of roots. Otherwise the roots turn upward looking for water and thus end up sickly plants, soon to die. After you have watered as much as you believe necessary, stick your finger down in the dirt as far as it will go, and see how far down the soil is watered. Doubt it is as much as half an inch - only enough to sicken and kill the plant.

Okay, there's a start - who is on board to start gardening? I'll talk you through it, newbies, as long as you are working at it.