Brassica starts under the shop lights.

Under-the-lights season is here. Six weeks before last frost, right on the almanac, and the brassicas are the first to start.

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi. Twelve seed trays on the plant rack in the mudroom, each one damp-domed and heated from below. The trick is bottom heat — brassicas want warmth to germinate but hate warmth to grow, so I flip the mat off the moment I see cotyledons.

Watering from below, once a day. Fish emulsion once a week starting week three.

Wander on over to the journal or the recipe box.