From Grow Lights to Garden Beds (and Lots of Things In Between)

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There’s something so tender and symbolic about starting seeds—tiny promises of life that, with just the right care, become something nourishing and beautiful. This is only my second real attempt at starting a garden from seed, and truthfully, my first go-around wasn’t very successful. But much like my journey with sourdough, I made up my mind that this year would be different.

I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to try again—with a little more knowledge, a little more patience, and a whole lot of heart.

Starting Over: What’s New This Year

Determined to get it right, I turned a corner of our basement into a little seed-starting sanctuary. I repurposed the same metal rolling racks that hold my micro bakery breads and our fabric and quilting supplies, and set up a few trays under grow lights and heating mats I ordered from Amazon. I also started two sunny trays on the kitchen windowsill—filled with two kinds of lavender, cilantro, and basil. They’re some of my absolute favorites!

📌 Affiliate links:
Grow lights | Heat mats | Fine mist spray bottles | Dehydrator / Metal Rolling Rack

A Peek at What We’re Growing and Planning

We’re dreaming big this year, hoping to not only fill our own garden, but to share extra starter plants during our front porch pick-ups. Here’s what’s already in the works, most of which we grow every year:

🌱 Herbs:

• Basil

• Cilantro

• Lavender (2 kinds)

• Dill

• Chamomile (soon!)

• Fennel

• Parsley

• Oregano

• Thyme

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Echinacea

• Nasturtiums

• Lemon Grass

• Chives

• Bergamont
  

• Chamomile

• Sunflowers

• Calendula

🥕 Veggies & More:

• Tomatoes

• Tomatillo

• Peppers

• Broccoli

• Brussels sprouts

• Green beans

• Cucumbers

• Peas

• Zucchini

• Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes

• Shallots

• Arugula

• Green leaf lettuce

• Radishes

• Leeks

• Pak Choi (new to us!)

• Carrots

• Spinach

🍓 Fruits (eventually!):

• Strawberries

• Grapes

• Blackberries

• Raspberries

• Blueberries (ordered through a friend in bulk—can’t wait!)

Once upon a time, we ambitiously planted peaches, apples, cherries, and even pears—though pears seem to have filed a restraining order against the Midwest. We’ve since retired from the fruit tree business... but gardening amnesia is real, so who knows?

🌸 And of course—wildflowers. Because every garden needs beauty, too.

We used to grow nearly all of this in our backyard, but a few seasons ago we dug everything up, thinking maybe that chapter had passed. But here we are again, dreaming. That’s the thing about homesteading—you might leave it for a while, but it never really leaves you.

Wild Morels & A New Dehydrator

Just yesterday, our son brought us four pounds of wild morel mushrooms his boss harvested from his front yard - say what?! I fried up half (with butter, of course) and saved the rest for later, tucked into my new dehydrator that I can already tell is going to be a game-changer.

I also have a set of herb drying racks (a Christmas gift I’m finally getting to use!) that I plan to hang later this summer. I can already picture them lined with bundles of homegrown thyme, oregano, basil, and more—drying gently in the breeze and making the whole room smell like a garden.

📌 Affiliate links:

 Herb Drying Racks

Raised Beds, Reimagined

We’re making one big change this year—switching from traditional raised beds to cinder block garden beds. They’re budget-friendly, easy to build, and I love the idea of tucking extra herbs or flowers in the little block openings. I’ll be sharing a full post once we get them set up (hopefully with lots of photos!).

What I’ve Learned So Far

Starting seeds indoors doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s okay if the first try flops. What matters is showing up again. With the right tools (and a little homemade grit), it really is doable—even from a corner of the basement or a kitchen window.

And like sourdough, gardening has a way of teaching you things beyond the work itself. Patience. Gratitude. The beauty of beginning again.

Want to Start Your Own Seeds Indoors? Here's What I Recommend:
All of these are items I actually use and love—linked through my Amazon affiliate page.

✅ Seedling heat mats
✅ LED grow lights
✅ Fine mist spray bottle
✅ Metal rolling racks

A Final Word:

We may not have chickens or acres of land, but we’re learning to live into our homesteading dreams right where we are. If you’re dreaming too—of tomatoes on the vine, herbs in the window, or just the satisfaction of growing something with your own two hands—consider this your gentle nudge.

Start small. Start over. Just start.