Those of you who stop by regularly may have noticed that I have been playing with the blog format. Wish I knew more how to get things exactly the way I want them--kind of liked the last format with the yellow background, especially because the lists, etc. were on the right. The lists, etc. are on the left in this particular format, but I like a white background if it doesn't look too stark...anyway, hopefully I'll find one that I'm happy with and stick with it for awhile. (Who knows, it may be this one... :)
Ah, it's starting to feel (and act) like Spring around here, so I've got planting a little bit on the brain. I just mostly don't want to have results like last year, when we waited too long to plant, and then got low/no yield on some of our crops as a result. Kind of hard to judge when you are having snow in June, because you don't want to ruin your crops before they even start, either.
It's interesting, and I don't know why, but suddenly I am getting a lot of seed catalogs in my mail. Yeah, 'tis the season for planting, and all, but these aren't just addressed to "resident", so it makes me think that I got on someone's mailing list somewhere.... I haven't really looked at the catalogs in-depth, but I know I want heirloom, non-hybrid seeds, wherever I purchase them. I do have some seeds in storage in a can, but I'm not planning on using them until much later, or there is little/nothing else available, whichever comes first.
When I was out shopping for something else yesterday, I saw a display of seeds, and stopped to take a look. The company was very complimentary about their seeds (no big surprise there) but there were not many, if any, that were immediately evident as being non-hybrid. At this point, I'd have to answer "no, but planning to" on my own poll question, but since we are in the middle of planning what would be the best crops to plant in our limited garden space, (that we are planning to increase this year) I don't feel bad. Yet. :)
Going through my mind: tomatoes, (not loved by all in the household, but a good source of vitamin C) potatoes, (now that you know that I live in Idaho, kind of embarrassed that I don't know the ins and outs on this one, but a nice, filling crop all the same, and that tote idea found over at Johnson Family Farm would be nice because it would increase our yields without taking up actual garden space) corn, and I would love, love, love to be able to grow garlic. Besides adding great flavor to food, when I get a cold and the like, eating a clove can help a lot. With getting rid of the cold, but not necessarily making new friends and influencing people. :) Worth it, though, garlic scent and all....
So what are you planting this year? I would highly recommend non-hybrid seeds, and to plant as much as you can...
8 comments:
Good for you, Marie! Now is the time to get ready. Where you live you may have to start your seeds inside or buy starts to put out after the frosts. I live in a similar climate to yours so have to do that to get a good crop.
I have a lot of heirloom seeds but am finding I really like a lot of the hybrids too so am stocking up on my favorite tomatoes. When they run out I will use the heirloom ones. I prefer the old fashioned beets, swiss chard etc. so am OK with those.
To get a new area started I am going to get my compost tilled in when it is dry enough but it is on top already so the next snow and rains will help carry nutrients down in the ground. The new area may not get planted until midsummer for the fall crop. That is the best time here to plant carrots because I can leave them in the ground all winter. My neighbor is still pulling the best ones now!
I like all your info and the reasoning you give for points of view! Thanks!
Anonymous--I think I need to look more into starting seeds inside--it would be great to have little plants all lined up to start out with, as long as I timed it right...
Your comment is full of great information--compost, nutrients and timing. Hybrids aren't bad in and of themselves, I just worry about perpetuation of whatever the crop is. I guess that if I can only get hybrids in some varieties of seeds, I will just have to store more of them. :) Thanks very much for your comment, and for sharing all the info--and thanks for your kind words!
I've found that many seed companies do not highlight non-hybrid seeds, only hybrid, so reading the package back is necessary.
I always planted garlic and shallots in the fall, wintered over, then harvested in late summer, early fall. And I always planted more than I ever thought I'd use, only to find I didn't plant enough garlic. Kate1946
Kate1946--I did not know that about the seed companies, so thanks very much for the tip!
Last fall was the first time I planted garlic, so maybe I was expecting results too soon. I'll have to check when the snow's gone--hopefully something will come up. Thanks for the info and for taking time to comment!
E.--Thank you for your kind words. If you could send me the website address, I'd like to check it out. I have been considering putting up a list of websites where people can look for emergency supplies, like Walton Feed, so I would like to see yours. Thanks for your comment!
Nice new look Marie.
We are planting alot of basics this year, Sweet Corn, beans, carrots, beets, Coliflower, brocolli, tomatoes of serveral kinds. ( one sweet corn Hybred that I absolutely love) I am putting in Field corn to make into Chicken feed and Pumpkins for sale in the fall.
I get heritage seeds and plants from my local Amish green house.
Better not figure on roadside stands anymore since the Govmint is going to make them illegal soon.
Carl.
Carl--Thanks! Sounds like you will have quite the crops this year. I'm hoping to learn enough to diversify into some things that we haven't planted as of yet--the more we can learn to grow, the better. If we can find heritage varieties, that will be all the better... :)
I hadn't heard about the ban on roadside stands--I hope it doesn't go through, since it would be unfortunate for buyers and sellers. Thanks for your comment!
I keep playing around with our blog formats (www.survival-cooking.com and www.colorado-preppers.blogspot.com) and I **think** I have it. I like what you seem to have settled on.
No matter how many heirloom seeds I order from reputable places, I can't seem to pass a seed display without at least looking. Usually buying, much to my hubby's chagrin.
Vikki
Vikki--I just checked out your Colorado Preppers site, and I like what you've done a lot. Also glad to see that they're trying to change the law about collecting water (I remember when you blogged about that before) but am surprised that you would still need a permit to collect it...
I haven't purchased all of the seeds I need yet, so still in search of everything heirloom. There's weird weather going on around here, so it will probably be awhile yet before there's anything actually in the garden. Thanks for your comment--and I need to check out your survival-cooking site!
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