Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Garden Planting and Seeds

My fashion minded eldest told me that when the economy crashes, eye liner and lipstick sales go up - they are relatively inexpensive ways for people to feel good, shop, and not break the bank. 

I am not fashion-minded, nor do I enjoy shopping in general, but my relatively cheap pick-me-up purchases tend to be seeds.  It used to be small items of tack or grooming implements, but seeds are cheaper, as the budget gets tighter.  Then, I end up with little packets of seeds in the fridge, if they need to be chilled to preserve them, or in coffee cans in cupboards.  Some of the seeds I have are years old - I plant them just to see, and sometimes I am happy with the results. 

I almost always try to buy non-hyrbid, open-pollinated seeds with the intention of seed saving, but I always end up eating all the veggies before I can save their seeds.  I need to develop some self-discipline in that area. 

It's November, and it's time to start thinking about new seeds for the new year.  What do I want to plant in my garden?  Why didn't I keep better records this year?  What new could I experiment with out there?  I know I want lots of tomatoes - and maybe some determinate paste varieties because I am dying to can some sauce - and cucumbers and peas and beans.  Maybe not so many eggplants this year - but definitely cabbages, turnips, and squash (hopefully they'll be more productive this year).  I think I will need to peruse some seed catalogs soon!  

2 comments:

Chicago Transplant said...

Hi NancyDe,

Well, it's a good thing that seeds are so cheap that it's not the end of the world if you forget to save some!

I remember browsing seed catalogs when I was growing up. I always thought there was something magical about getting an entire plant, flowers, and vegetables out of such tiny things.

If all else fails, use your blog to record your garden activity. I'd be more than happy to hear about those updates.

I'll be back on Maui in less than a month. I can't wait to get my hands dirty with red clay.

Cheers!

NancyDe said...

I think I want to keep records I don't have to click through, as well as the blog....although I am glad someone besides my dad wants to read about my garden :).

I bet you are glad to be going home. I went for my BA on the mainland; I remember how much I looked forward to getting home (which was windward Oahu) and out of the relative cold - I was in CA, so not as cold as your Chicago.