Well, we've probably all done this. I save old potting soil in a Rubbermaid bin. Whenever I move a potted plant or plant out a jug, whenever there is extra leftover, it gets dumped in the bin. And I take from that bin for various uses, especially if I am out of my favorite potting soil. I just use the old stuff, and add in some manure or compost or whatever, depending.

Anyway. In that bin, in the dark, sometimes things sprout. Recently, these:


For a couple of days I was carefully not disturbing them because I wanted to know what they were! Taking soil only from the other side, etc.

Then today, I saw this!



I had already planted out the jugs of calendula, and apparently there were still viable seeds germinating in that jug, cause here they come!

I lifted all of them out and put them in a tray of potting soil in a shaded place, so I hope they'll forgive the rough treatment. I need to be able to access what's in the bin, so couldn't really leave them to grow in there....

LOL, Kyla -- that's kind of like the rhubarb seedlings that I tossed on the compost 2 years ago because by fall they still were so tiny; then the following spring they were sprouting up in the compost so I repotted them, and now they are happily growing in the garden...

Yay for plants that grow in spite of us!

Yep. Don't tell anyone but I fully intend to grow out some tomatoes from the compost seedlings this year ( I know, this is ranging outside winter sowing but, yeah, shhh. )

I did winter sow two jugs of cherry toms and they are coming along fine. But I really like growing out the mystery ones from the compost and the last time I did so, they were SO healthy but I was unable to keep the plants (no room.) This time, at least one or two will stay here.