If it wasn't watered 3x a day in the absence of rain and also covered with a thin layer of compost or dirt, then it's nothing more than bird food. The fact that I can see so much seed in the picture indicates that the seed was not worked into the dirt. It can't just be sprinkled on top of dirt, you need to use the back of a rake to mix it in, no solid contact with dirt = no grow. New grass seed doesn't need any fertilizer, in fact that will stress new grass seedling and more likely just feed the weeds. Would have been much more effective if you had done the dethatching in the fall and seeded then. Spring is not a great time to seed. Only thing you can do now is Sod or try mixing that seed in better and getting on a consistent watering schedule for the next few weeks.

Sometimes I wish I grew flowers instead of veggies. Hanging baskets sell really well this weekend, bedding plants I imagine all spring. But then I'd need to get a GH. Trying to pot up tomaoes as quickly as I can into 3.5 - 4" pots and start hardening them off. I haven't even been out back, have lots of work to prep the beds (incl new beds in HT area, we'll put up the tunnel later - hoops ASAP and plastic later) but organic co-op has pickup day on the 16th, I met with board and they're letting me advertise in monthly newsletter, want me to bring plants on the 16th for members who may want to buy starts. Going to be warm here but I don't know if I'll have them hardened off by then, and not much root development in that short time. I may be restricted to Brandywine, Mark Twain, and Black Krim that I potted up 4/17-19 so nice big rootballs. It's finally getting warm enough that I can leave them in the garage at night - will set up tables/shelves and move those 3 out today. Problem with hardening off is that it's going to be raining for the next 3 days (counting today), 76 on Sunday, then T-storms for the 3 days after that, raining on the 16th as well. I might have to tell everyone the plants aren't hardened off yet, though I can get them used to cooler nights in the garage, won't be able to give them much sun and I'm afraid of heavy rain/wind this week.

Ok, I wanta make clear, as I have stated on here before, this is going to be my first year selling at market. I have sold to individuals in the past, and have basically "hung around" farmers market's for some time. I have a close friend who is a market gardener for almost all his income and I do a lot of work for the biggest destination type farm around here. I have also been self employed for 20 years. I am not rich, but I have managed to stay off food stamps. I wanta say I see some of the worst business people in gardeners that I have ever seen, and I am not a business man, but I do know my weaknesses. Please, nobody take these statements personal, for I do not mean to offend, they are only observations. 1) Never lie to a customer. It WILL bite ya in your booty 2) Always listen to your customers,(even when it hurts). What doesn't make sense or work for you now, may at least explain something later 3) Always know what ya sell. I plan on specializing in heirloom tomatoes, and I will know what they are, how they taste and maybe even a little bit of history. If I can not be at the market, there will be a cheat sheet for whoever is there. 4) Market yourself, and your product. Even here, where there is not enough farmers to supply veggies to every one who wants them, there is always somewhere else for the customer to go. 5) If you are gonna charge a higher price then the stores, make sure you provide a higher quality product. I don't grow sweet corn, because I can not grow it better then the stores for close to the same price. 6) To the original poster- you might try baby steps instead of one big bite. If I was you, I would sew my hillside to a cover crop like white clover in the spring, and then plant pumpkins and maybe winter squash in late spring or early summer. I would also concentrate on succession planting, and making sure you have veggies when your customers want them. It's much better to do a few things well in this business, then to do a bunch terrible. Also, I get the impression that gardening is somewhat new to ya. There is nothing wrong with that, but take notes, read and learn. Gardening is the most simple yet complex hobby/business you can pursue. Make sure you don't make decisions today, that will handicap you tomorrow. Just my opinion, and a few observations. I am being a huge hypocrite giving advice to most of you, but maybe for the new guy it might help. It is only coming from a business point of view.

jessy: I looked thru many recipes on the Internet that are supposed to be Authentic, or Traditional. Some even gave a sort of Jewish history lesson. Most of them use Sugar. Some use Sugar and Honey.Some use Honey. Some use Milk ????? I know you are very Religious !!! What is the difference in your Challah. I don't make Challah. I make Braided Bread but not as neat as some others but I could if wanted to. The taste and texture is there so I use it also for my Cinnamon Bunns, Bagles and other things. Just curious to know the real difference !!!!! Lou