I'm in Massachusetts, zone 5.


In early spring (April 23), I couldn't resist getting outside to dig any
longer. I loved getting my hands dirty and prepared the vegetable
garden spot. I planted radish, pea and kale seeds as those were the
ones the seed packages said should go in early, but honestly, I wasn't
as concerned about what would come up; I just wanted to dig. The spring
has been cooler than most. The radishes and peas have sprouted. The
kale has not. There's no reason to believe there's anything wrong with
the packet of seeds I bought.


Now here it is Memorial Day and the end of a week of cold drizzle. The
urge to dig has hit again. The plan is to go to the garden center and
buy seedlings of tomato, basil and peppers and put them in the ground.
I'm planning the spacing in my mind. Should I assume that if the kale
hasn't sprouted in 5 weeks it isn't going to and put basil in that
place, or would that be giving up just before success? I'd like to eat
some young kale leaves, but I'd also like a jump on the basil.


--Lia