Gather round. The fire is slowing burning down, the last embers fading, leaving just enough light for me to make out the writing in an old gardening book, The Flower Garden – A Manual for the Amateur Gardener by Ida D. Bennett. Illustrated and published by Doubleday, Page & Company in 1910, it is one of several books that make up The Garden Library. What use could such a book be to us, 100 years later? Let’s read it and see… “Buying seeds is largely a matter of experience. So … [Read more...] about 100 Year Old Seed Buying Warnings For Today
seeds
Porch Chat: Seed of an Idea
It's a cool evening after a long day, making it a good time for a porch chat. So put down that watering hose, grab your favorite beverage, and come sit on my virtual porch so we can chat about our ideas. Ideas not acted upon are like seeds in a packet. Left too long without giving them what they need to grow, they turn to dust. They are nothing. When we first see a seed, it looks nothing like the plant it will become. Ideas don't always resemble what they will actually become either. Some … [Read more...] about Porch Chat: Seed of an Idea
Seed Update With A Gratuitous Crocus Picture
A seed update with a gratuitous crocus picture. Earlier this afternoon, out of the blue, I started thinking that in spite of all my seed ordering spread across four different seed companies, I had forgotten to order cucumber seeds. To confirm if this was indeed the case, I rounded up all the seeds, which were mostly all piled into one basket, and listed them out on a spreadsheet. Sure enough, no cucumber seeds! And only one variety of hot peppers. But I have three varieties of egg … [Read more...] about Seed Update With A Gratuitous Crocus Picture
How to Soothe the Winter Weary Gardener
On this last day of February, our thoughts turn to gardening, as they always do. We sense it is coming. We can see it in the tiny green sprouts, imagine it in the breeze, hear it as the last of the snow melts on the roof and trickles down the downspouts. It is Spring. But just pointing out these little signs of the slowly arriving Spring may not be enough to soothe the winter weary gardener. May I suggest: - Shake a packet of pea seeds within ear shot of the … [Read more...] about How to Soothe the Winter Weary Gardener
Another Chance to Win Seeds AND A Cobrahead Hand Cultivator
Chase away your last lingering winter fears with a chance to win six packets of seeds from Nature’s Crossroads and a hand weeder/cultivator from Cobrahead! Though winter seems like it will never end, we know it will! And then it will be spring and we will all wish we had some seeds and a Cobrahead to do some planting of early crops like peas, lettuce, spinach, and radishes. I’ve got my seeds for these early spring crops! I’ve got my Cobrahead ready! Just as soon as it warms up, I’m going to … [Read more...] about Another Chance to Win Seeds AND A Cobrahead Hand Cultivator
Seed Update
I finished ordering all my seeds for this season last night. Altogether I purchased… Well, a gardener never tells! However, it appears that to date I haven’t purchased as many seeds as I did last year. But there is still snow on the ground and plenty of time to buy more seeds. When, or I suppose if, I decide I need more seeds, I think I’ll buy them at one of the local garden centers. I do need to make a list of all the seeds I have and carry it with it at all times. Then when, or … [Read more...] about Seed Update
