Today, I seeded lettuces and arugula in my little window greenhouse.

Built from old windows removed from our farmhouse, this mini-greenhouse is used from late fall to mid-spring. in particular to extend the greens growing season.

We saw one of these simple structures in Lancaster a few years ago, on one of our Saturday drives. And by 6 p.m. that evening, I had one of these for my very own. Not purchased, but built by the very talented  handyman right here at Pinespring. OK, we happened to have a nice selection of old windows around, since we were gradually replacing all those in the old farmhouse. Still, I think that’s pretty darned good when you have a guy who will, with no urging, be inspired by something like this and just go home and make one — that same day.

You don’t need to have a mini-greenhouse, though, to have a crop of early spring greens. If you have a protected area — a little area of bed next to the house, maybe — consider growing a crop of spring greens. Find an area that faces south, a planting area next to a building or wall. Even if this is a spot you use later for perennial flower color, it can be devoted to early greens from March through mid-May.

Just work the seeds into the soil lightly with a forked cultivator, then tamp down a bit with the back side of the same tool.

My lettuce seeds were saved from last year’s spring crop. And the arugula seeds, we picked up today while gathering supplies for another project.

If you’re planting in an existing bed, the soil should already be loosened. So, just scatter the seeds, jostle them a bit with the forked hand cultivator, then tamp down the ground and water the bed generously.

I expect I’ll see sprouts in a week or less. And will be harvesting some fresh lettuce and arugula — baby leaves, at least — by the first week in April.

We’ll see how that prediction works out.