It’s game day — at last.  If you live in the New York Metro area — as I do — or in New England or Indianapolis, for that matter, Super Bowl madness has reached the saturation point.  Every second of local news coverage is devoted to the teams, the fans, the food — even my local supermarket broke a record for the number of heroes that were ordered for Super Bowl parties.

Don’t get me wrong — I am pulling for the home team.  And I am excited to see the half-time show with Madonna.  Yes, I know she made that remark about loathing hydrangeas, but I’m curious to see what the old material girl (yes, I went there) has in her bag of tricks. 

It’s just that gardeners need their Super day, their media coverage, their competition for the most clever gardening commercials.  I doubt any of that will be happening soon, so I have decided to take matters into my own hands. 

Seed season is around the corner and I have yet to begin training.  I’ve signed deals for the players and I’ve drawn plays — but I have to get my playing field in condition so that my players can flourish.  So, it’s out to the potting shed I go — my own Super Bowl tradition.

My potting shed is my home away from home — and it’s time to get my 10′ w x 10′ l x 12′ h house in order.  The shed is partly devoted to the storage of garden tools and the lawn mower, while the other side has room for the potting bench, supplies and tools, and the growing area.  As the winter has progressed, however, these two worlds have collided and everything must be put back into its proper place.

Although the potting shed has electricity, there is no heat.  Instead, heat is provided by the sun during the day, by a space heater at night, and by heat mats where the seeds are started.   To contain the heat in the growing area, Joe and I hang plastic sheets.  I definitely don’t want my new players to get any chills.

I also take stock of what I still need to purchase — definitely more popsicle sticks to use as plant labels.  And seed starting mix.  I know I could make my own mix, but time and space are short, so I purchase some pre-mixed bags.  Only the best accommodations for the team.

It also occurred to me as I was cleaning that this is the first time I’ve had a blog during seed season.  It might be interesting to somehow document the progress of the seeds as they germinate and grow and move outside with the big kids.  Definitely an idea worth tackling. 

Tackling?  That’s enough potting shed talk.  It’s game time — at last.