Question #3: why?

Today is a simple question, perfect for a Friday post when my brain is not up to the task of using too many words: "why?"

As in "why is it so difficult to notice seeds in my potting mix?". I reuse potting mix all the time, and well, I get surprise seedlings in there quite regularly.

***

It's the chipmunks. They love to bury little clutches of sunflower or safflower seeds in my pots and in the ground. Usually this results in a compact forest of seedlings, all crammed together like the girls' magical garden in My Neighbor Totoro.

At the end of the season though, the seeds don't have a chance to germinate. If I dump that pot into my mix recycling barrel, I'll end up distributing those seeds into the pots of new plants -- like my "firesticks" and "gollum" divisions.

You'd think that I would have seen these seeds, as they're relatively large, but I don't. So why do I miss them, until I see them popping up unexpectedly?

I don't really need an answer, but I do wonder: does this happen to others, or is it just me?


I actually enjoy this, as seedlings are one of my favorite things about gardening, regardless of where they're growing. When I start seeds indoors I always use fresh seed-starting mix so this isn't an issue then.

.