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The Coeur d'Alene Coop

Raising Chickens and Urban Gardening

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How to Achieve an Amazing Harvest this Spring!

How to Achieve an Amazing Harvest this Spring!

Spring is here, but in northern Idaho, it’s still going to be several weeks before we can begin thinking about…
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Now is the Time to Plan and Plant the Fall Vegetable Garden

Now is the Time to Plan and Plant the Fall Vegetable Garden

With our summer gardens growing and producing in full force, it’s hard to even think about planning or even planting…
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Quick Spring Crops to Grow In Your Garden Now

Quick Spring Crops to Grow In Your Garden Now

Spring is here, but in northern Idaho, it’s going to be several more weeks before we can even begin thinking…
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Three Ways to Grow More in Your Garden Now

Three Ways to Grow More in Your Garden Now

Gardening in Northern Idaho is challenging and this year it seems especially so. Our 120 days of “frost-free” growing is…
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Podcast #8 Succession Planting: How to Grow More!

Podcast #8 Succession Planting: How to Grow More!

Want to get the most out of your garden this year? Of course you do — and you can with…
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Episode #1 Ripening Green Tomatoes and What to Plant in the Fall Garden

Episode #1 Ripening Green Tomatoes and What to Plant in the Fall Garden

Fall is coming fast and if you’re still seeing lots of green tomatoes hanging on the vine, today’s podcast will…
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Recent Posts from The Coop

  • How To Plan a Seed-Saving Garden (Without Losing Your Mind) February 6, 2026
  • How to Turn Winter Garden Dreams Into Real Harvests January 2, 2026
  • SOLD OUT! Winter Sowing for Spring Growing January 1, 2026

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The Coeur d'Alene Coop

20 hours ago

The Coeur d'Alene Coop
Thinking of saving seeds from your garden this year? Don't miss my latest article: How to Plan a Seed Saving Garden, https://bit.ly/4qQSIyM . This is the feature article in my February newsletter, along with "What seeds to sow in February (for OUR zone), a Garden Checklist, and lots of other garden tidbits! Don't miss out, you can be a CdA Peep, too. Link in comments. ... See MoreSee Less

How To Plan a Seed-Saving Garden (Without Losing Your Mind) - The Coeur d'Alene Coop

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Growing a garden is an excellent way to lower food costs. But buying seeds and plants can also add up. A simple (and fun) way to cut expenses is to save seeds from your own garden. Not only does this ...
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thecoeurdalenecoop

#thecoeurdalenecoop
@thecoeurdalenecoop
Heirloom tomatoes 🍅🍅
Organic gardening 🥕🌶
& Urban chickens! 🐔🐓

Let's talk light as it relates to seed starting. H Let's talk light as it relates to seed starting. Here, a volunteer sunflower is growing along with a propagated rosemary plant. Note how the sunflower is long, leggy, and stretching for light. 

That's because the windowsill can't provide enough light, and the plant is heliotropic -- turning and stretching (begging) for light. 

Then, compare that with the second image: another volunteer sunflower that popped up in onion starts.

This seedling germinated under lights and remained there. Note how stocky and vibrant it is.

Which do you want to grow?

Seedlings need 14 to 16 hours of light each day. Something even a south-facing window can't provide during seed-starting season.

🌱 What are the best light options for home seed starters? I cover lights, heat, fertilizers, and much more about seed starting in my class: 

Seed Starting for the Home Gardener, A Deep Dive
Saturday, March 14. 

👉 Details & registration here: bit.ly/3Nvn6jB

P.S. My soil is located very close to my hen's scratch grains, hence the occasional volunteer sunflower! 😂🌼

#thecoeurdalenecoop
#seedstarting
#heliotropic
#growlights
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I write a gardening newsletter once or twice a month — real advice from my own garden and greenhouse. No spam. Just plants (and sometimes, chickens).

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