The backyard garden is full of snow and ice, but great balls o’ fire — days awaistin’. I already have friends who say the seeds they ordered were told it was too late. It’s no fun to see a page of a seed catalog and learn that half the seeds are no longer available.
Last year, on March 22 I attended the Cabin Fever Seed Swap. Gardeners gathered to share their seeds, extra bought seeds and seeds from plants they had grown. The Covid pandemic had not made clear the dangers that were beginning around the world. This year we know all too well how dangerous Covid 19 is, and how important it is to quarantine ourselves. There will be no Seed Swap this year.
Because of the pandemic we have all changed our schedules. There is much less visiting and joining in group events. What to do? Many have found the pleasures of gardening – and the run on seeds, flower seeds and vegetable seeds, began. Fortunately we can look at all kinds of seed catalogs on-line.
I begin with the AAS, All American Seed Winners, every year. AAS is a non-profit trialing organization. Their goal is to promote new garden varieties and to test new untried varieties. I was particularly taken by Nasturtium Tip Top Rose (which is a beautiful nasturtium, NOT a rose) which I think would look great in containers.
I have been getting seeds from Johnny’s Selected Seeds for years. Johnny’s was beginning its life at the same time in 1973 that I was planting my first vegetable garden. In addition to vegetable and flower seeds Johnny’s offers gardening equipment.
Other favorites of mine are Renee’s Garden which is famous for its gorgeous and fragrant sweet peas like Zinfandel, a rich wine color. I like to use High Mowing Organic Seeds because they are an organic GMO operation.
I planted a very (very!) small vegetable garden this past year. My garden is extremely wet, but I was determined to plant a few vegetables. Here’s what I learned. Such a small space can only have very! few favorite favorite vegetables. So far I have determined that I can have sugar snap peas and Pole beans. Tomatoes, of course! There might be room for a little more, but I am still working on that.
I know time is short. Have you got your seeds?
Now I have to think about whether there are any potted plants I want. They might be hard to get too.
Oh yes. I ordered seeds a month ago- and already then some were sold out (I like Seed Savers Exchange and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange). My local library has a plant/seed swap every fall and spring- and I have not gone in over a year which I really miss. They held in the fall as an outdoor event but I skipped it. I did visit one of my favorite nurseries for plants but it was kind of nerve-wracking so maybe I will skip my usual spring trip this year too. However I have lots of seed saved from previous purchases and my own plants of prior years, so there’s plenty to start the garden with- I just did my first set today it was very satisfying. Can’t decide whether I love the look of that Rosa nasturtium or find it odd, by the way. Nasturtiums are one of my favorite flowers, but I always expect them to be in shades of red/orange/yellow!
Jeanne – You were smart to order seeds a month ago. I have not begun. In fact I think I will just wait until I can actually shop at the food coop which always has seeds, and see what will please me. Deep sigh! This can’t go on much longer. I got my vaccine and our town is giving vaccine in several places from the BigY to the Senior Center and the hospital. Onward!
Pat
So glad to hear you received the vaccine. Things are moving forward with that, finally! I expect to wait another six or eight weeks for mine- and then it will be a relief to go ordinary places (like the grocery store and nursery) without so much anxiety.
I do have my seeds! And we put up some grow lights under two shelves in the kitchen, and will be starting plants again for the first time in a few years.
Nan – You are way ahead of me. I’ve got the equipment, but I don’t have seeds. Actually I haven’t even decided which seeds I want!