No progress yet on either of the tomato varieties (green zebra or roma). I have started fermenting some sweet grape tomato seeds. I'm hoping this time I can figure out how I botched the last fermenting.
In doing random research yesterday, I came across information about sprouting lentils. I guess they'll sprout if you soak them overnight and then keep them warm and moist for 24-48 hours. You can then either steam them for 5 minutes and eat them, or plant them to grow your own lentils. I've never eaten lentils before, but for some reason had a bag of them in my cupboard that's been there for a number of years. So of course, what have I got to lose? I've left them overnight and now they're staying moist and warm in a plastic bottle with a little warm water in the bottom. We'll see how they turn out tomorrow. I'd like to try eating some, and growing some too.
Last night #3 and #4 helped me to plant some black eyed peas in the ice cream containers we emptied during movie night. They too were from a bag in the back of the cupboard that we've had for years, so who knows if they'll grow or not. Having never eaten them, this will also be a new experience. Perhaps we'll grow enough lentils and dried beans to make our own soup over next winter!
The mail brought a lovely surprise. I had sent off five stamps to someone to get three new varieties of tomato seeds (tigerella, black zebra, and Juane Flamme), but she was super generous and sent large barred boar, lemon drop, and kosovo tomato seeds too! I had to look these varieties up but they look tasty! I'm going to be a busy tomato gardener this year!
I had planned to plant the black krim tomato seeds today, but I didn't get to it. Maybe tomorrow. I have a few more apple juice containers I could cut open for planting in, and they're just begging me to use them.
Today I also looked into options for schooling #1, as the current Montessori school only has curriculum to 6th grade, so she will be aging out this year. She is reading at a college level, and despite getting "too bored" and only answering half of the test questions, she still scored higher than the state average in her math skills too. I want to home school her, but lack the confidence and finances to purchase curriculum and feel like I know what I'm doing. So instead I'm looking in to an online school that will allow us to build on what she wants to learn about, offers extra curriculum, and advanced classes. The program I'm looking at now also offers college credits to over-achievers, and I think that #1 might just be able to enjoy learning again once she's given the opportunity to excel with new curriculum. I have signed up for an informational meeting next Thursday to get more information.
I will leave you with another photo of the mango.