January 2025 Seed Orders

 Despite my lovely plant stand and my success growing seedlings on it, I'm going small on seeds this year, and hopefully on plant purchases once the garden centers open.  

I'm focusing on reorganizing my entire garden, adding nicer soil and amendments, and giving it an intentional design rather than just tossing things in.

Here are my two orders in pictures, as that's all everyone wants to see anyway.

Pinetree Garden Seeds

Park Seeds

Seed Starting Light Stand Plans

 I plan to start seeds indoors this February.  A few flowers, and some perennials that have longer growing periods.  If I am really good this year, I will start tomatoes and peppers in March!

Long ago, (the nineties!), I had a light stand my husband made for me from a plan in a magazine, Fine Gardening, I thought, and he would be willing to make another for me if I could find the plans.  I found it and printed it out within the last year or so. However, have I ever had a piece of paper I didn't want to keep? Try to find something like this that likely never got filed properly. Ha!

Good thing my librarian search skills are intact, because I found the plans via an A Way to Garden post.  Follow the link for the full directions.

https://awaytogarden.com/big-rig-my-circa-1989-seed-starter-stand/

  This stand is very stable, holds a lot of plants and trays, and folds up nicely when not in use.  My spouse says this isn't quite the same as the one he built.

While looking for these I found a newer set of plans on Fine Gardening's site (because I think that's the source of the original plans) that simple to make but maybe not a sturdy?  I'm not sure I like the slats, though maybe they are better for air flow?

https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/gardening-basics/nurture-seedlings-on-a-tiered-growing-stand 

 

Muffin Tin Seed and Plant Spacers

 Here’s another of those fine garden ideas I see and forget when planting time arrives. Using a muffin tin to create evenly spaced planting spots for seeds or small plants creates a simple garden template.  I think I have an ever-unused tiny muffin pan that would be even better for some things.

Winter Milk Jug Gardening

 I’ve been fascinated by the idea of planting seeds out in a gallon milk jug ever since I saw the idea. 

Some years I manage to put aside a few of the jugs.  I never quite have the right seeds, though, as I’ve gone to mostly seeds which can be direct sown.

One of these days.

Here is an easy to follow graphic for starting these early seeds, in case you have the correct seeds at hand.

Seed Babies Part 2

Here they are! Onions, lupines, feverfew, hollyhocks.

I ordered three blueberry bushes from Jung's this morning.  I also wanted to get a few everbearing strawberries, but they didn't seem available as plants and I have not had good luck with seed.

I'll need to check locally over the first few weeks in April when the greenhouses I hope will be open.   I'll also be looking for some more herbs of all kinds and I think this year I will need to try to manage to learn drying and preserving herbs rather than just snipping them fresh from the garden and using them that way.

I'm focusing on vegetables that I'll be able to freeze or can.   There's supposed to be plowable snow by tomorrow morning, if not, I think I'll try to start a few peas and radishes out in the garden this weekend.

The way the world is going I'd like to be able to grow wheat in the yard, but pretty sure that's impractical.

Happy Gardening!

Babies!

Monday night I was discouraged because nothing had come up and I turned off the lights on my light stand, figuring to start anew on Tuesday.

Bing!   Hollyhocks Nigra and Happy Lights were sprouting, along with the Baby Leeks Primor!  Yaaaaaaa!  
We are up and running, 2020 garden!

Hollyhock Nigra and Happy Lights

Baby Leeks Primor. Look close!

Both rows of the stand are now in use.  Red and Yellow Onions, in today, as well as Feverfew and some Windowbox Cherry Tomatoes.

Toon Tuesday: Seed Babies

There could be only one theme for this week-watching for the tiniest bit of a green sprouting seed.  I used Canva to create this week's cartoon.  You can provide your own pictures and change the text in a template.

Today's Starts

It looks like I will be waiting a week or so between starts to make sure I'm not getting anything up and running (hahaha) too early.

Today's choices are:
 
Lupine Russell's Prize Mix

Coneflower White Swan

Hollyhock Nigra

Hollyhock Happy Lights

Sunday Dreaming: Seed Season

March! In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb.  This refers to weather, of course, but our start today is sunny and beautiful.  It appears the Lamb may triumph this time.

I have done it!  I cranked open a sack of seed starting mix--oh, the heavenly smell of soil.  It is right after bread and popcorn on the wondrous smells list.

I started four types of seeds, just to get the party started.

French Baby Leeks "Primor"

Salad Scallions "Spirit"

Hollyhock Peaches and Dreams

Rudbeckia Irish Eyes

These are all last season's seeds, but I am certain they'll be viable.   I was a tiny bit heavy handed on the scallions, but I'm prepared  to thin as needed.   Somewhere this week I read that you can get Hollyhocks to bloom this season if they're started soon enough.  Fingers crossed!

I have a fair few more varieties of them to start.   I've been trying to grow Peaches and Dreams forever, with no luck.  Imagine if this time I see them bloom!

I think I'll try to start a few things every day till I have the top level of my light stand filled.  If it looks like I'm having successful germination, I'll go to the lower level.

If by chance nothing germinates, I'll go seed shopping.   Planting these this year is part of my plan to be more economical.  I also am unhappy with all of the diseases being passed along from horticulturally grown store items.  It should be a safe and happy thing, eating tomatoes and lettuces.

Leeks

Nicely flattened mix

Hollyhocks

It's difficult to provide covers for these long flats.

The square ones I lucked out on.

I poured water into the trays, then lowered the lights closer.  I'll need to get them down closer a notch or two, I think.

Very exciting!  Grow, babies, grow!

Seedless in Seattle (Not Really)

I decided to break the jinx and willfully not start seeds today.  There will be scallions planted tomorrow, March 1st, with plenty of lead time before transplant time outside.  March is officially seed starting month at DOA Central.

Finishing February

I certainly haven't accomplished many February goals.  The main goals being:


Sort and Inventory Seeds     (done)

Purchase new seeds via mail-order or shopping locally  (not done)

Start Seeds!  (not done)


I have this recent-years bugaboo that if I don't get seeds started indoors in February, I won't get any seeds started ahead of time.

All my seeds will be direct seeded.

This would be fine, except it severely limits varieties chosen and forces to me spend a great deal more on flowers than I would if I started my own.

Thanks to the Leap Year, I have one more day to break the curse and get some indoor seeds going.

Go, go, go!

A Note On Paper Pots

I love using paper pots for seed starting. They’re a great use for old newspaper, and they’re simple to make.

While they’re quick to make, they’re also a container that breaks down very quickly. It’s best to use them for seeds that will be transplanted soon directly to the garden, or that will put into a larger pot for further growth under lights.

A Way To Garden : My Garden Planting Calculator

As you're sorting your seeds this month and aren't sure what to plant when, you should try A Way To Garden's spring Garden calculator.

https://awaytogarden.com/when-to-start-seeds-calculator/

A selected list of vegetables, herbs and flowers are provided.  You select your last frost date, and the calculator will provide:

Here in Zone 4, the "new" last frost date is an optimistic May 15.  I pretty much stick with the "old" last frost date of May 20, which seems closer to what we actually see.

Seed Companies

I've gathered a list of twenty two seed companies for you to peruse online, and order their catalogs if you wish.   My sidebar list should be helpful if you're looking for particular varieties, or want to compare prices.

Everyone has their favorite companies, and you can find may lists of recommendations at this time of year.  Many of my own favorites and those I've seen recommended by others are on the list.  Make good use of this as a resource whether you're new to seed starting or are already quite seedy.

Maybe Cute Isn't Enough In The Garden

I fell for these adorable little pastel eggs one year with seeds all ready to grow.  Not a peep of green!   I'll know better next time.

Nothing from these either!

Garden Planning For 2017: Seed Companies

I'm preparing for spring, one of the happiest things a person can do.  Mondays in November I'll post some of my strategies for dreaming of next year's garden in advance.  

I'm thinking of ordering from just a few seed companies for 2017.  I'm looking for nice varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers.  Most companies don't have their catalogs for 2017 ready yet, but I'll be watching for them.

I'm not certain if I'll make a preliminary list of things I know I want to grow, then look at these companies catalogs to see who has the most appealing selection and price, or do what I usually do and just look through their catalog making a wish list then paring it down.

Renee's Garden

Renee's has new offerings every season which are often stunning, even if the item is a lowly vegetable.  She also specializes in smaller varieties which can be grown in containers, something I really enjoy more every year.  There are even sets of seeds on themes, individual packets in a larger packet.   As you can see on her page there is also a Cookbook.

It's now online only with no physical catalog.  There are updates about new plants and seeds on everyone's favorite Twitter feed      https://twitter.com/reneesgarden


Park Seed

I actually haven't ordered from Park for awhile, but they have a huge variety of vegetable and herb seeds in particular that I'm going to peruse for 2017.   They have also always had some of the best seed starting supplies anywhere.

Get a look at some of their featured items on Twitter:    https://twitter.com/ParkSeed


Nichols Garden Nursery Herbs and Rare Seeds

I love growing herbs, and have been trying to use them as well in cooking.   What I need to find is a list of the most common herbs used in cooking and make sure I grow those.  I also like the idea of growing a tea garden, and making tea with nice fresh herbs from my garden.  I think Nichols can help me with these ideas.

Up to date information on their offerings and lots of recipes on Twitter:   https://twitter.com/NicholsGarden

They have some odd ads in their Twitter Feed, I'm not sure what that's about.


Stokes Seeds

The Canadian seed company made a greater effort to appeal to the home gardener last year with a beautiful catalog featuring the best flowers, vegetables and herbs for home gardens from their vast seed list.  They've also been featuring garden tools and ornaments that are useful and fun.

Alas no Twitter page for them that I see.

Stokes Seeds 2016 Gardening Guide

In a rather grand surprise, Stokes Seeds 2016 catalog has a new look and focus.  Stokes has always seemed to me to be largely aimed at people with small farms.  This year, as you can see on the cover, they embrace the "foodie" crowd who love locally grown, fresh foods.

The truly beautiful new page layout includes not just cultural information, but some recipes.

"For those of you who may be familiar with our catalog in the past, this catalog may come as a shock.  We have selected only the most popular varieties to make your choice easier, made the print bigger, and provided a picture for every item.  If you can't find an old favorite check our website, we have literally thousands of varieties that we could not fit into this one book."


http://www.stokeseeds.com/home.aspx


 

2016's First Garden Catalog Pinetree Garden Seeds

Pine Tree Garden Seeds is my first mail order catalog arrival of the season.  Last year, for some reason, I didn't receive one till March, and the seed starting season was well underway.

I did my best job ever of garden cleanup and putting the garden to bed this fall.  I also decided I would start completely fresh with the garden in spring 2016.  I tossed tons of stuff, including all old seed packets, all seed and plant catalogs, and any plants or shrubs deemed unworthy.

My plans for what I'll feature and grow aren't even at the glimmer stage yet, but I'll see what catalogs and offerings come my way.  Plants and herbs and succulents in pots were so beautiful this season, and so easy to maintain, I'll surely add more containers.

Let spring dreaming begin!

http://www.superseeds.com/

DOA in the Garden: Peas to Please!

Early in my gardening life there was a columnist called The Slothful Gardener.  She has been my secret inspiration during all of my gardening years.  She tried to be particular about how she planted things and tended her garden, but at the end of the day, she just didn't worry and she let her garden grow, grow grow.  My heroine.

In that spirit, I devoted an entire bed today to planting Pea Seeds.  I had seven different varieties because (gasp) I tossed in seeds from previous years.  Seeds which I did not keep in a vacuum packed, temperature controlled vault.  I reek, I know.  It doesn't matter, because I was so very happy digging furrows, planting the seeds, noting which were where in my notebook.

I reflected as I worked how much I love playing in the dirt and always have.  Every other set of pea seeds went in horizontally or vertically in its allotted spot.  As you can see cleverly separated by handy little sticks.

I have never had any luck with peas, no matter how carefully I planted, spaced, inoculated, fed, watered.  I've gotten like 3 peas to eat, ever.  Viva la revolucion!   I just dumped those packets in.  Muahahaha.

If I don't get any peas, no shock.  I had a lovely time planting them and dreaming of some miraculous pea bed, and that is all that counts this time around.

Mail Ordering Seeds

I enjoy ordering seeds by mail for the vast variety of choices.

This year I'm finding myself thinking that if I can just find the seeds in a local garden center rack, I should purchase them that way, particularly for warm season vegetables which can be started later on once we see what kind of spring we are getting.

Some favorite garden centers have folded in the last year or so, making it a bit harder to shop this way. 

It's a balance!  

I did place a few orders anyway, and I am made a little happier for it on this sunny but very cold winters day.