More Seeds

When we did our seed inventory (here) we also made a list of the seeds that we didn't have but wanted. We were able to pick some up, locally, when we were running errands the other day.

I was happily surprised at the nice selection of organic seeds that we found at Lowe's. All are from Ferry-Morse.

New Seeds In

Organic Broccoli ~ De Cicco (1890 heirloom)

Brussels Sprouts ~ Catskill (1941 heirloom)

Cabbage ~ Copenhagen Market Early (1909 heirloom)

Organic Carrot ~ Rainbow Mix

Organic Lettuce ~ Black Seeded Simpson (1875 heirloom)

Organic Okra ~ Clemson Spineless #80 

Organic Radish ~ French Breakfast (1879 heirloom)

Organic Rosemary 

Organic Sage ~ Broadleaf

Organic Thyme ~ Common

Ultimately, I prefer organic, heirloom, regional seeds. I choose organic seeds because I don't want genetically engineered or modified seeds (GMO). I choose heirloom because I'm a history buff who loves to see and taste the old time vegetables that families have enjoyed for generations. I choose regional seeds because if people were able to grow the seeds in my growing region 100 years ago, then I should be able to grow them just as well now. 

Seeds We Still Want To Get
Hyssop
Anise Hyssop

We used to have Hyssop and Anise Hyssop just off the back porch. They self seeded and came back year after year. I'm not sure when they disappeared, but we don't have them anymore. I'd love to find more.

Root-stock We Still Need
Potato
Sweet Potato
Asparagus

We generally start our potatoes from store bought organics. We just cut them into pieces with at least 2 eyes each and plant them in the garden. We generally harvest several five gallon buckets from just a few potatoes planted this way.

We've tried sweet potatoes once before. They grew well and developed very nice sized roots. However, the mice got to them before we did. We were very disappointed in our luck, to say that least.

As for the asparagus, we should have planted a bed of them when we first moved into this house. We could have been enjoying them for several years now. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and we have yet to start a plot. Crossing my fingers that we get it started this year.

Next up, we have to set aside time to get these new seeds planted so they will be ready to go out into the kitchen garden, once it's warm enough. We've already planted our nightshade vegetables. Here's the link to that post, if you are interested.

I hope all of your gardening plans are going well.
Until next time,

May all your endeavors be a blessing!

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"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."  Genesis 8:22

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First Day In The Raised Bed Kitchen Garden ~ Planting Potatoes

It's the first day in the garden. I'm a few weeks behind but everything will be fine; slow and steady wins the race. I only really have about 30 minutes each day to spend working in the raised beds but I'm hoping to be rewarded more than 10 fold.

My rewards were evident today. The weather was beautiful; nice and warm with a cooling breeze. When I directed my attention to the kitchen garden and turned the soil in my first bed I was greeted with beautiful, living soil. 

It was teaming with beneficial bugs and rich with composted rabbit manure and straw. The texture was spongy and it smelled fresh and earthy. I forget every winter how wonderful our garden system is. 

Today was potato planting day. I always manage to forget to order potatoes for planting so instead I grabbed a couple of bags of organic potatoes that I picked up at the grocery store. They had been growing roots in the pantry for a while. It doesn't take very many potatoes to plant a 4' by 6' raised bed. Especially since you only need a few eyes from each potato.

Using an old shovel handle to create holes was especially helpful in planting today. I know all the gardening books say to dig trenches for planting and to fill them in to mounds as the potatoes grow However, I don't have time to babysit these plants. They will come up fine and give us buckets of potatoes by the end of the year. At least, that's the plan and what has worked in years past.

Watering in after planting is essential. I'll have to make sure and water deeply every day. It's much easier to water with a hose but our collapsible, long hose sprung a leak last fall and we haven't replaced it yet.

30 minutes goes by quickly. Turning that first bed and planting some potatoes were the accomplishments for today. 

Here's hoping you have success in all your endeavors,
Jess

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"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:6