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  • Black Beans

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup – Black Beans (dried)
    • 2 cups – Water
    • 1/2 tsp – Onion Powder
    • 1 tsp – Granulated Garlic
    • 1/2 tsp – Cumin
    • 1/2 tsp – Chili Powder
    • 1 tsp – Salt (Coarse Kosher)
    • 2 tsp – Chicken Bouillion
    • 2 tsp – Apple Cider Vinegar

    Instructions

    1. Rinse beans to remove any dust. Check for small pebbles while rinsing.
    2. Add beans, water, onion powder, granulated garlic, cumin & chili powder to the instant pot.
    3. Cook for 37 mins on high pressure. Allow natural release (approx 20-25 mins).
    4. Add salt, bouillion & vinegar. Stir.

    Notes

    • Don’t add salt before cooking beans. It prevents them from softening.
  • Taco Seasoning

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp – Chili Powder
    • 1 tbsp – Cumin
    • 2 tsp – Salt (Sea or Coarse Kosher)
    • 2 tsp – Black Pepper (Ground)
    • 2 tsp – Corn Starch
    • 1 tsp – Paprika
    • 1/2 tsp – Garlic Powder
    • 1/2 tsp – Onion Powder
    • 1/2 tsp – Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
    • 1/2 tsp – Oregano

    Directions

    • Combine all ingredients into a jar and shake.
    • Put this mixture through a coffee grinder to create a uniform consistency.
    • Use 2 tbsp of spice per 1 lb of ground beef.
      • If you like it more spicy, bump it up to 3 tbsp.

    To Cook Meat

    • Brown 1lb of ground beef in a skillet.
    • Add 2 tbsp of seasoning mixture to meat with 1/2 cup water.
    • Stir until meat is fully coated.
    • Cook on medium, stirring frequently until all liquid is gone.
  • Tacos

    Ingredients

    Try

    • Something sweet like:
      • Roasted Sweet Corn
      • Mango / Pineapple

    Directions

  • 2026 Seed Trays

    Lessons Learned:

    • Use 6 cell packs instead of 72 cell packs
      • Allows for easier re-arranging later if plants need different requirements.
    • Do a better job placing like items together. i.e. light required for germination, heat mat temperatures, etc…
    • Place cell packs in a tray with holes so the entire tray can be soaked in a tray with no holes for watering.

    Notes:

    • Room temp was 50-60 for the first 2 days. Added room heater and kept at 60-75 for the remainder of grow out.

    Potting Mix:

    • 4 cups Black Kow
    • 4 cups Seed Starter
    • 1/2 cup Worm Castings

    Tray 1
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: 77 (struggled to get that high, so remained closer to 70-72 for the first 2 days until I added the room heater)(Prefer 75-85)
    Light Required: No
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date
    Germination
    Date
    Germination
    Days
    Germination
    %
    Transplant
    Date
    1TomatoCherokee Purple02/23/202602/28/20265
    2TomatoBlack Krim02/23/202602/28/20265
    3TomatoMr. Stripey02/23/202602/27/20264
    4Tomato (Cherry)Sweetie02/23/202602/28/20265
    5Tomato (Cherry)Yellow Pear02/23/202602/28/20265
    6Tomato (Cherry)Black Cherry02/23/202602/27/20264
    7Pepper (Bell)Bull Nosed Large02/23/2026
    8Pepper (Bell)California Wonder02/23/2026
    9ChamomileGerman02/23/202602/26/20263
    10MarjoramSweet02/23/202602/27/20264
    11OreganoGreek02/23/202602/28/20265
    12Lemon BalmLemon Balm02/23/202602/28/20265

    Tray 2
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None (Prefer 60-70)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date
    Germination
    Date
    Germination
    Days
    Germination
    %
    Transplant
    Date
    1LettuceLittle Gem02/23/202602/26/20263
    2LettuceLittle Gem02/23/202602/26/20263
    3LettuceBurpee Bibb02/23/202602/28/20265
    4LettuceBurpee Bibb02/23/202602/26/20263
    5LettuceBlack Seeded Simpson02/23/202602/26/20263
    6LettuceBlack Seeded Simpson02/23/202602/26/20263
    7LettuceRed Salad Bowl02/23/202602/26/20263
    8LettuceRed Salad Bowl02/23/202602/26/20263
    9LettuceButtercrunch02/23/202602/26/20263
    10LettuceButtercrunch02/23/202602/26/20263
    11CabbageSalad Delight02/23/202603/01/20266
    12Napa CabbageRed Dragon Hybrid02/23/202602/26/20263

    Tray 3
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None (Prefer 60-75)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date
    Germination
    Date
    Germination
    Days
    Germination
    %
    Transplant
    Date
    1MarigoldHappy Days02/23/202602/27/20264
    2MarigoldHappy Days02/23/202602/27/20264
    3MarigoldHappy Days02/23/202602/27/20264
    4MarigoldMission Giant Yellow02/23/202602/27/20264
    5MarigoldMission Giant Yellow02/23/202602/28/20265
    6MarigoldMission Giant Yellow02/23/202602/28/20265
    7Sweet MarigoldLicorice02/23/202602/28/20265
    8Sweet MarigoldLicorice02/23/202602/27/20264
    9Sweet MarigoldLicorice02/23/202602/28/20265
    10MarigoldSunset Giants02/23/202602/27/20264
    11MarigoldSunset Giants02/23/202602/27/20264
    12MarigoldSunset Giants02/23/202602/27/20264

    Notes:

    • Sweet Marigold should be treated like an herb and planted with them next year. They are more for eating and don’t provide the same companion planting benefits as the regular marigolds do.
    • The giant marigolds are showy for the flower bed, but probably too large for companion planting purposes. Plant more of the shorter varieties like Happy Days for companion planting.
    • French Marigolds (shorter varieties) are better at repelling pests, especially nematodes.

    Tray 4
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None for 3 days, then 75 (Prefer 72-76)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date
    Germination
    Date
    Germination
    Days
    Germination
    %
    Transplant
    Date
    1PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    2PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    3PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    4PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    5PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    6PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    7PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    8PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    9PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026
    10PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026
    11PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026
    12PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026

    Tray 5
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: 70 (Prefer 60-70)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date
    Germination
    Date
    Germination
    Days
    Germination
    %
    Transplant
    Date
    1SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    2SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    3SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    4SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    5SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    6SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    7SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    8SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    9SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    10SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    11SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    12SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026