Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Weather

It's a nice weather day. Mildly chilly with a small bit of rain. Everything damp. Thankful for the mild weather this year. It's allowed a jump start on this project. The chill works out to be a blessing, as you dig and work up a sweat, it keeps you all in check. Rain has helped out quite a bit as well. It has been doing a fine job of softening up the soil so It can be broken up. Already received our seed order from Baker Creek Heirloom a week or so ago. Not bad when you consider I opened the mailbox on the 2nd to find the 2012 catalog. Must be excited.... So far we like the company. Huge 200 page free catalog with magazine quality pages/photos. They ship fast. The best part being its all non gmo-ed, heirloom, open pollinated seeds. On this homestead we are going to grow with organic practices in mind. While it is difficult to place a value on growing your own food, it is my belief that if you are going to go all out, might as well grow the highest quality, most expensive items you can. *grin* Here is the current list of seeds needing to find a home somewhere in all the mess. Most of these varieties are slated for the front yard aside from the corn, beans, some herbs,and a few flowers.


  • Onion - Stuttgarter, Bronze D'Amposta, Bianca di Maggio
  • Tomato - Polish Linguista, Brandywine
  • Cucumber - Sagami Hanjiro
  • Pea - Alaska (peas), Sugar Snap
  • Carrot - Berlicum
  • Hot Peppers - Craig's Grande Jalepeno, Indian Jwala
  • Sweet Peppers - Red and Gold Marconi
  • Eggplant - Aswad, Ping Tung
  • Pole Bean - Chinese Green Noodle, Blue Lake
  • Beet - Golden
  • Cabbage - Nero de Toscana
  • Broccoli - Calbrese
  • Brussel Sprouts - Long Island
  • Zuchini - Costata Romanesco
  • Leek - Giant Musselburg
  • Rhutabaga - Champion
  • Greens - Amsterdam (spinach), European (lettuce blend), Emperor (Mustard), Russian Red (kale)
  • Okra - Stewarts Zeebest
  • Chard - Five Color Silverbeet (Rainbow)
  • Amaranth - Golden Giant
  • Quinoa - Shelly 25 Black
  • Basil - Emily, Thai Lime
  • Parsley - Demi Long Root
  • Cilantro - Slow Bolt
  • Thyme
  • Sage
  • Dill - Elephant
  • Oregano - Bulgare
  • Corn - Cherokee White Eagle
  • Dry Beans - Cherokee Trail Of Tears
  • Squash - Waltham (Butternut)
  • Strawberry - Yellow Wonder Wild
  • Cherry - Ground Cherry
  • Melon - Boule d'Or, White Wonder
  • Flowers (Pretty/Bee Attractant) - Babies Breath, Dianthus, Ballerina Datura, Giant Perfection Aster, Tall Deluxe - Snapdragon, Mother of Pear - Poppy, Old Spice - Sweet Pea, Marigold - Cracker Jack, Zinnia - Bright Jewels

That is all of them so far, however, there is a feeling that something is missing. Order it later I guess. Known on the list to be ordered is wheat and potatoes.
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    1 comment:

    1. AnonymousDecember 29, 2011 at 6:41 PM

      Of this list, here's what I'd buy as transplants and start from seed. Everything else, I'd direct-sow.

      Onions: Buy Stuttgarter sets from Downtown Home and Garden - $1 will plant your whole garden. The other two, start from seed, or try a different variety available as sets or plants at DTHG.
      Tomatoes: These varieties will be widely available in May at the market.
      Peppers & eggplant: Some kind of jalepeno will be available as sets at the market. If you are set on the other varieties of peppers and eggplants, start them yourself; otherwise, a nice selection is available at the market.
      Nero di toscana is usually called "dinosaur kale" or "lacinato kale" around here, and is very common to find as transplants.
      Broccoli: other varieties are available, otherwise start indoors yourself.
      Long Island Brussels sprouts are the standard variety; you'll find transplants at the market.
      Leeks: start yourself; you can sometimes find them as plants but they're small and relatively expensive.
      Okra: other varieties are available, otherwise start indoors yourself. You need two plants, tops.
      Quinoa: good luck! I've never had it grow. If you get it to work, I'll come begging!
      Basil: Thai lime is available at the market, along with dozens of other varieties.
      I would not start strawberries from seed, but then, we know I hate seed starting. :)

      Everything else, I'd plant directly into the garden.

      Given that you've already ordered your seeds, you may just prefer to stick to your original plan of starting everything yourself. Just remember - you're not a bad gardener if you decide you just want to buy a few transplants! :)

      Emily

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