garden guarantees

Things you already knew... but maybe didn't quite apply thoroughly...

Plants sprouted indoors during rainy season will not get enough sun. They will be spindly and wimpy. In contrast, the plants sprouted out doors will have bigger, stronger leaves than their indoor relations; the outdoor babies will have strong, tough leaves and short stems that won't fall over from a hint of wind.

Seeds that aren't "supposed" to sprout until soil temps drop above or below 70F may not follow the rules.

Seeds placed in potting soil soup may not sprout. Worse yet, the soup may sprout mold or fungus instead. Poking drainage holes actually matters.

A week or so after you plant all your seeds, just when you're most worried about the wee spindly things, your local Whole Foods will suddenly start selling vigorous young specimens of the very plants you're trying to grow. They will also sell lettuce plants when your seedlings are several weeks away from harvest, when you have been without fresh lettuce for almost a month.

You will regret not buying the lettuce.