Remember when seed catalogs didn't start showing up in the mail until March or April each year? No, you probably don't because that hasn't happened in a long time.
All of these arrived before the first of the year. And there were more that I've already taken to recycling. Still more, I'm sure, will arrive shortly.
However, having the catalogs and the availability of perusing gardening seed websites online is a good thing.
(Did you know some seed companies have already closed their websites to more orders because of extreme overload?)
This has all urged me to take out my gardening book and plot out what I'll plant where for this coming gardening season. I have a feeling being as prepared for the spring seed starting months as I can will be of future benefit to those eager eaters who partake of meals at our table.
At the end of the harvest season last year, I went through all my seeds and placed a couple of small orders to resupply any seeds that looked even a little low.
Being aware of current information available on social media (real and/or fake), I've decided it might be a good idea to recheck myself and possibly order more. Can't hurt and might even help out someone else.
What are your plans for gardening this year? Do you garden yourself? Or perhaps subscribe to a CSA near you? Do you use space in a community garden plot? Are you a long-time gardener? If so, have you expanded your growing space in the last year or so? Do you plan to have a garden for the first time this year? What do you feel is most important to grow?
P.S. There will be NO zucchini plants in my garden this year!
I know that right now all you need is another seed source but I did want to mention a company that I truly believe in ... they are my neighbors in GA & I've known them for a long time ... Hoss Tools https://hosstools.com. They took over the rights for the Planet Junior Wheel Hoe & have expanded on those products (very high quality). But, more importantly, they have recently begun distributing seeds & they get nothing but RAVE reviews. Down to earth guys (Father & son). They both have a Youtube channel & a FB page to help both new gardeners as well as seasoned ones.
ReplyDeleteYES. Gardening this year, and as many years as I am able! I have gardened for years and years, even if the gardens were small and I was pressed for time due to work commitments. I can remember, as a kid, thinning new baby carrots from my Mother's garden and taking them, barefoot, down the path to the well and washing them in frigid water in preparation for a meal. Yes, I have expanded my garden space this year. I have a 4' X 16' raised bed that was card-boarded, mulched and manured last summer, to be newly dug this spring when the time is right. I expanded the field garden by a foot all across one end as well. (I do a bit of expansion every year) Most important to grow? Well, that takes some cogitation! Probably stuff that freezes and/or cans easily, and is prolific. Also root and vine vegetables that store well in their natural state. Lets see...beans, always tomatoes, spuds, turnips, carrots, squash... A friend and I are sharing seeds and trying kohlrabi for the first time as well. Smart of you to have already ordered seeds! I've also heard that seeds are selling like hot cakes...Must get at it! (Lovely, sunny shot of the marigolds..how cheery! WOW on those zucs. Its hard to keep up with them!)
ReplyDeleteDFW - Thanks! I will definitely check out that site. Any small company needs to be given business these days. Hoping they continue to prosper.
ReplyDeleteRosalea - My parents didn't garden so I have no memories of doing so until I was married. Now have been at it for coming up on 58 years! Like you, I'll garden as long as I'm able and when my time comes, I hope I keel over while out in the garden. We keep expanding our growing space, too, but sometimes I think it's just so we don't have as much grass to mow!
I had such a disaster last year with those wretched cucumber beetles (attacked cucumbers, zucchini, and pumpkins) that I want to go online (and now you're making me think I'm too late) and buy those special yellow sticky things you hang up in your garden to trap the little darlings. Or maybe I need row covers... Looks like you are well prepared! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn - Oh boy, knock on wood, but I've never had a problem with those cucumber beetles. I can just imagine how very frustrated I would be. I'm not sure, Jenn, but I'm thinking it's probably just the seeds that are turning up "out of stock" or back ordered. You might still find those traps so you'll be ready this year.
ReplyDeleteI have some seeds that I saved from last year and it's too early here right now. I may bring in our grow light system in about early March to start some things inside. I was actually shocked last year that there was an abundance of plant starts here in Boise. I thought we would be pretty stretched thin as far as buying anything. The good thing was in some ways I bought too much! But that resulted in lots of grape tomatoes and our freezer along with peppers. Personally I'm hoping for a little bit more snow before the Winter's over!
ReplyDeleteI garden in a community garden about a block from my house. I store away ideas for next year's garden during each current gardening season. My plot is very small, basically just big enough for three tomato plants if I don't want to crowd things too much. This year, I think I'm going to try trellising a melon, growing one of the plants that produce small fruit (e.g., "Minnesota Midget"). You've made me think I ought to get my seed order placed ASAP. Carol, gardening in Philadelphia, PA.
ReplyDeleteNancy - It was the same around here as far as started plants to purchase, which surprised me, too. Wonder if the same will hold true this year? Perhaps with the suspicion that many folks are starting to garden for the first time, the growers are doing all they can to provide starts. I'm not ready for winter to be over yet either!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Carol - Trellising is definitely a way to grow more in a small space. Is it a possibility to get more space for this year in your community garden? If you look in the seed catalogs specifically for veggies that do well climbing a trellis, you'll find many of them these days. Good luck this season!
My plans for the morning are to get my seed orders in order, although I'm not entirely confident they will get filled, considering the volume of ordering people seem to be doing. It's odd with everyone so relieved about the election results that seed ordering should have exploded like it has.
ReplyDeleteLeigh - I think the main concern out there is the talk about more lock downs, food shortages, price hikes and general inability to function normally. I know when our whole foods co-op stopped taking special orders (orders for staples in bulk and case lots), I certainly was very, very grateful I can grow as much of our food as I do in our gardens. Plus, to my mind, not only is ordering food in bulk (you know, grains, legumes, beans, dried fruit, canned mushrooms, sugar, etc.) a lot more economical but knowing I don't have to go out for every single item I need in cooking gives a lot of peace of mind. (Have I gotten off track here?) Bottom line, until our economy becomes more stable, I think people will continue to be seriously concerned about their food supply and try to grow their own.
ReplyDeleteI already ordered and received all of my required seeds for this year. And on the websites I watch closely, some still have not stocked everything so "Out of Stock" doesn't always mean "Sold Out". Sometimes it means "we haven't done it yet." But yes, somethings I ordered and received are now out of stock again. I'm sure we will see a lot of websites shut down or limit to only commercial growers just like last year.
ReplyDeleteI have only received 4 seed catalogs so far. (boo hoo) I'm starting to wonder if my favorites somehow know I've already ordered and are counting me out. I promise I'm still shopping :)
SmartAlex - Yes, there is a difference between "out of stock" and "sold out" which is a good thing. (There's still hope!) I don't remember it happening last year, but this weekend I did encounter a website that is taking orders from commercial growers four days a week, and from home gardeners only three. :o( But I do realize they've got to do what they've got to do to control their business in the best way they can.
ReplyDeleteAfter last year's shortages of seeds I wanted I'm with you mama! I planned and ordered all the seeds I would need for the year and already I was seeing "Out of Stock" I guess we aren't the only ones either.
ReplyDeleteHoley moley! Those zucchinis could feed a family of twelve, three meals! I jumped into the seed catalogs as soon as they came and there were still many seeds that were sold out. I'm trying to use up all the leftover seeds I have before I order more. All I am hoping for is a reasonable gardening year - no drought, not too hot, not too cold and less insects. Think it will happen???
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I posted about my seed inventory and that Baker Creek had their site closed. I just have to get some medicinal seeds restocked.
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten seed catalogs 15-20(?) years, but I remember them arriving in late December-February. Any catalog arriving in March-April is too late IMHO, as that's time the seeds should be hitting the seed starting pots. Of course, being that far north, you've got a bit more time. And this year, with the postal service being so variable... maybe seed companies are sending out earlier hoping catalogs get where they need to be when they need to be?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I was in WM on a supply run last week and they had the seed display up so I got some seeds I knew I needed. I need to check the seed box, and make a list though - going from memory and what looks interesting in the store is not good. I still have not seen any sign of canning lids in stores though.
Hopefully now that I have garden beds hilled up, paths lined with floor mats abandoned at the car wash, and mostly beat back the weeds last year, my veggie garden will be a higher priority.
J. L. Murphey - I have really good luck keeping seeds from year to year so don't hesitate to have a little extra in case I can't get it the following year. Only makes sense what with all the other shortages we've seen!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I do believe you're going to get a good gardening season this year. I mean what with the new hip and the bum weather/insect luck you've had the past couple of years, you're due! And then some, so buy that new trowel, a set of knee pads, some more seeds and get ready for a great harvest. (I'll send you all my zucchinis that get away from me 'cause I know you use a lot of them. Oh, wait! I'm not growing any this year . . . )
Kristina - Yep, I think reading your blog gave me the shove to check my supply and order a few more seeds!
JustGail - I've heard of a few people who have seen (and picked up!) some canning supplies but I'm afraid they are going to be in short supply again this year. Sounds to me like you're right and ready to really have a good garden this year. Best wishes!
Mama Pea -- Those huge zucchini are amazing!!! Once it starts producing, it's almost impossible to keep up with it.
ReplyDeletexo, Rosemary
Rosemary - And the crazy thing is that I've tried just about every recipe using zucchini known to man and we don't care for any of them! Last fall my husband asked, "Do we HAVE to grow zucchini?" I felt quite ridiculous when faced point-blank with that query. Well, no, I certainly don't have to grow it. So now, I won't! ;o)
ReplyDelete