Seeds So Far . . .

[Whitewater]

Ok, I went to Fleet Farm today and bought some seeds, mostly the root veggies that can go in early, I can wait on the peppers and cukes and so on because I don't want the seedlings to get TOO big inside!! (Unless you direct-sow cucumbers, which I never have been able to figure out . . . can you transplant a started cuke? ). 8 weeks, for me, will be mid-March, so I've got plenty of time for those.

BUT I bought a 'Seed Starter Kit' (with 72 little things in a tray to start the seeds, and a warming pad and a plastic cover . . . dunno what I'm going to do with all 72, I've got *maybe* 10 plants to start! But that was the only size they have!) today 'cause they didn't have very many at Fleet Farm and I wanted to make sure to get one, mostly for the heating pad. It was less than $30, so a good deal.

The seeds I got are:

From Ferry-Morse: Heirloom Yellow Crookneck Squash. The packet is marked 'Guarenteed to Grow', but I don't think I'll have any problems Even with last year being my first year for zukes, they took over my garden! I have no idea if these are open pollinated or not, it doesn't say.

Organic Scarlet Nantes Carrots. These are disappointing 'cause I didn't find out until I got home and Googled that these carrots don't actually turn red. I wanted the red ones, phooey. But info online suggests that these will be a good match for us anyway, being hardy, sweet, and early-ish. These are 'Certified Organic' but aren't marked Heirloom *or* Open Pollinated, so I don't know for sure, really, what I've got. The Internet says that these are a heirloom variety. Who knows?

Heirloom Black Beauty Squash. I grew these from a plant (that I bought at Home Despot) that I grew last year and was so impressed I want to try it again, only growing them from seed this time 'cause the plants I grew from seed did 100% better than the plants I bought. These squash for me were dark green, very pretty, and very mild, a really good eating squash. I like them a lot.

Then from Livingston Seed Co I got organic Blue Lake pole stringless beans (we like beans around here! And I have a 4' high chain link fence to grow them on!) and the packet *does* say that in addition to being organic, they're also open pollinated, yea, so I can save seeds for next year! I assume from Internet research that these are also heirloom.

And from the same company I got organic Cherry Belle radishes, same deal, open pollinate, etc. Cherry Belles are recommended by my local Extension to do well in this climate/soil etc. And they're an early variety (20-22 days!!), which is nice. Hubby likes radishes, so these are mainly for him, but the 'Net says that they have a mild flavor so maybe I'll like them too. The packet says they're easy to grow, which is good, this will be our first time growing them.

And finally, from Livingston, the only non-organic hybrid: the Early Wonder Beet. I love beets, and I wanted to try some in my garden, so I bought this early variety because they're good to eat (including the greens) and they're good to can and/or freeze, which I know I'll do because there's only so many beets one can eat fresh ! The packet says that these are easy to grow also.

I'm still looking for Eureka cucumber seeds, Touchon carrots and pattypan squash seeds. And I'd like to find some wierd colored carrots (white, purple, red, whatever!) to have some fun with, ideally, that I wouldn't have to order online.

Guess I'll be making the rounds of the garden centers tomorrow!


Whitewater

 

[old fashioned]

I'm pretty sure you can transplant cukes. I know the local nursery's sell the starts in later spring. (I usually direct sow)

I don't know about your area, but your 4' fence may not be tall enough for those pole beans. I too grow blue lake poles (love em), and here in Washington, mine grow over 7' high (my reach) and hang over the top of supports.

I'm not an expert here, but I do believe heirlooms are safe for seed saving as are open pollinated just not hybrids unless you are inclined to breed out the hybrid-ness.

I too don't buy online, but you can find seed companies online and request paper catalogs to be sent to you for ordering by mail. There are tons of companies and some provide the "weirdness" and the varieties you're looking for. (I do this)

Sounds like you've got alot of work=gardening fun ahead of you! Happy planting! :tools

 

[digitS']

Unless there is an Early Wonder hybrid beet, it is an open-pollinated variety, certified organic or not.

A good place to learn about these sorts of things (and rate the varieties based on your own experiences ) is Cornell's Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Eureka is listed as a hybrid cuke.

I have transplanted cucumbers but don't usually bother. They grow fairly quickly. Squash take a little longer and a transplant gets a little benefit. It can't be too much, however. Both vegetables, cannot take too much transplanting stress and are best if they are only about 4 weeks from time of sowing. One should exercise real care so as not to disturb the roots. These are plants that were made for peat pots, altho' those are certainly not strictly necessary. Still, carefully removing the bottom of a peat pot and setting it in the soil with the rim of the pot covered - works well.

I've grown Early Wonder (really like it) and Scarlet Nantes (thumbs up, on that one). Touchon was a little "coarser" but was just fine. Blue Lake are good beans. The zucchini that you have had success with has been "ravaged" by mildew in my garden, but mildew is a real problem in summer squash for me. Cherry Bells are fine but I have to be careful eating any radish so they are best with butter and between 2 slices of bread.

Good choices !

Steve

 

[HiDelight]

is there anything more fun? seriously and the seed sales right now are oustanding

everytime I go out the door my husband says I come home with more "magic beans"

I really love beets too!

sounds like you have a nice haul and a good plan

 

[Whitewater]

More seeds . . .

German Chamomile (organic) from a company I've never heard of -- Botanical Interests -- bought because I didn't realize this but it's supposed to be sown as soon as the soil can be worked, which is going to be early for us this year, so best be prepared!

Purple Dragon carrots, from Thompson and Morgan (a company that's new to me), bought because Hubby loves stuff that's different or unusual, and you can't get more unusual than a purple carrot! And I can't wait to see the looks on my friend's faces when I bring these to our get-togethers

Genovese Basil, from The Cook's Garden (organic) 'cause we LOVE Italian food over here and I recently discovered how much better fresh is over shaken from a jar type. And it can be started inside, yay!

PattyPan Squash (yellow) A heirloom variety and something I've been looking for all this while. Finally found some at Bachmann's, of all places! Hey, wherever

Still looking for that elusive Eureka cuke. Think I might have to buy that one online, oh well. And I've given up on the Touchon carrot, we'll have our hands full with just these two varieties, I suspect. I think the only other stuff left to get, seed-wise, is mint, and I think I may just wait to pick up a baby plant somewhere instead, 'cause I'm picky about mint flavor.

So, that's it, more or less, for seeds! But I'm planning on buying 6 tomato plants, 6 pepper plants, and at least a dozen strawberry plants . . . not to mention possibly having to buy new raspberry plants this fall (thank you, bunnies).

There's a whole lotta gardening gonna go on this summer at our house!


Whitewater (having fun already, can't wait to actually get in the dirt!)

 

[Greenthumb18]

Sounds great Whitewater!

Purple carrots sound quite interesting, i was thinking of growing blue potatoes to see the look on everyone's face as they eat blue mashed potatoes or blue french fries .


Yep its nice to order those seeds, plants, and other things while waiting to get in the dirt. I can't wait myself and i'm sure i speak for everyone, just dying to spend time outside in the garden. Spring is not far away now, only a few weeks left .