Putting into and placing, that is.
Oh, it’s that time of year! The seed catalogs have arrived!
Last year was a good seed catalog cover year (see this post). Plus we learned something interesting about Black Beauty Zucchini. This year’s catalogs are starting to arrive, and I have to admit, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is again the clear winner in covers. I like whimsy. 🙂 Hudson Valley… er, not sure what’s going on there. At least this year their catalog arrived on time.
I’m a little late in ordering this year, and “I’ve heard tell” of some places being low on seeds because of the continuing pandemic run on garden-related items. I do hope that those purchasing are going to follow through on using what they bought.
Meanwhile, we are actually in pretty good shape. I have seeds from the past two years that will still be good this year to use. I might need to order some like Ruby Queen Beets (boy, we love those beets), but because we are planning only on the lower garden this year, I won’t be ordering a lot out of the main veggies we use.
Mr. Gordon has talked about some alternatives for where we grow our potatoes and carrots, so that will free up some garden space. I’m actually still in planning mode as I type this.
I’m hoping in March we will be able to take advantage of the greenhouse we installed on the back porch. The weather will just be too cold in February.
I have thought about ordering some sort of “inexpensive” hoop house for the garden (I hate the small row cover ones) in an attempt to keep the garden rows covered in the spring just in case we run into a cold one like last year. But I really want to limit “speculative spending” this year as much as possible.
We usually put the garden in around Memorial Day. I’m wondering if this year we should experiment with doing the “direct sow plants” (seeds) around the same time as usual, BUT wait into mid-June to put in the seedlings and other plants we will start indoors (tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.). Last year it was so cold, so it’s worth considering.
Overkill?
Mr. Gordon said nope to my Big Hoop Garden idea as shown in the Amazon ad below. Well, it was a thought.
(affiliate link)
I do know for sure we will direct sow the Black Beauty Zucchini again and we’ll do that probably in succession and definitely in June. I think that’s the key to avoiding the dreaded squash bugs. Evil bugs. By the time the zucchini is up, the squash bugs have already settled into their home elsewhere. At least that is what we believe. We’ll test that again this coming growing season.
Planning to Grow
So this is my draft list as of this typing:
- Asparagus – we have got to get a bed started! Maybe this is the year?
- Ruby Queen Beets – our favs.
- Wax beans, Gold Rush Yellow Wax Bush Bean – recommend this variety.
- Carrots – not sure which variety yet. Mr. Gordon wants to plant somewhere other than the garden.
- Celery, Tall Utah – maybe.
- Corn, Top Hat – maybe. I feel like we’re just feeding the deer when we plant corn.
- Double Yield Cucumbers
- Onions – maybe. Not sure what variety. I DO have an idea for planting the seedlings this year, though.
- Peppers, Bridge to Paris
- Peppers, Boldog Hungarian Paprika Spice – maybe. I still have seeds from last year.
- Peppers, Tam Hot – maybe, if there is room.
- Potatoes – yes, but not sure on varieties yet and we are NOT doing in the lower garden. We’re fighting the mice for potatoes in the lower garden, so we need to come up with a different solution.
- Radishes, Rudolph – maybe a few if I still have seeds. If not, I’m not buying.
- Squash, Blue Hubbard – failed last year, but I REALLY want to grow these.
- Squash, Butternut
- Squash, Honeynut
- Tomatoes, Eating, Rutgers
- Tomatoes, Amish Paste – love these.
- Tomatoes, Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato – maybe, they are very good and the chickens love them!
- Black Beauty Zucchini
The squashes will likely need to be outside the garden like last year. I don’t believe they need to be in a fenced in area. We’ve been enjoying the Butternut and Honeynut this winter. I have to get ahold of the squash soup recipe Mr. Gordon found. It was amazing and didn’t even require cream! Also froze / reheated well.
Order Up!
So, what’s going on with your seed orders and ordering? Let me know in a comment.
You know, at some point we need to do a seed share / seed exchange. I should look into that… who is interested?
February Blog Drop
This post is part of the February Blog Drop – you might also enjoy:
Loved reading about your garden plans!! I am so excited because I’ll be starting our first seeds in the greenhouse this upcoming weekend. I’m going to be starting our veggies in the greenhouse but direct sowing most of our flowers this year. In years past I used to try to start everything in the greenhouse and it’s way too overwhelming. So we’ll see how it goes! I would totally be interested in doing a seed swap! Please keep me posted if you decide to do one. Looking forward to following along with your gardening!
Hi Steph – many well wishes for successful seed planting! Like you, we will be starting less indoors and more as direct sow. A tip: if you have issues with squash bugs (we had BAD issues), direct sow your zucchini at the end of May. By the time it comes up, the squash bugs just might have found a different place to live for the summer! Worked for us last year.
I’ll keep you posted on the seed exchange. I need to see what I have that would be worthwhile for someone to swap for! 🙂
Here’s to a great growing and harvesting season! 🙂
I really need to get to the garden plan. I have a loose idea of what I’m doing, but I really must to pencil to paper. And soon. I did look at last year’s spreadsheet and saw a couple of things that need to be started inside in March, but I really would like to get a good plan going this year. And stick to it!! Haha. That’s the hardest part.
I am totally envious that you have the greenhouse. I’d love to have something but it’s not in the cards this year (mostly because of. all. the. snow! but also I need to tend to the chickens and the garden move this year).
I would love to do a seed exchange. This is the year that I carve out time to save those seeds. Famous last words. I probably just jinxed myself. haha.
Great post Tracy!