Ordering Seeds!
I am still a novice when it comes to vegetable gardening but after several years working in a garden center I have picked up on the basics. Last year I started my own raised bed garden and grew tomatoes and lettuce and had an unfortunate go ‘round with deer and bell peppers. In any case, I did gain additional knowledge, the most important, be aware of the space you have.
Much like ordering dinner at my favorite restaurant after skipping lunch, when it comes to seeds my eyes are much bigger than my space. Over planting leads to poor growth, disease and is an incubator for pests. So, it’s important when planning your garden to measure your space and follow the spacing suggestions on your seed packet.
This year I will be adding a couple more beds and a small hoop house to my garden, so I’m over the moon but I am being more thoughtful about my plans. To help me get settled down I took a good tour through my favorite seed catalog from Baker Creek. “The Whole Seed Catalog” is a thing of beauty. The photographs are stunning, and the descriptions of each plant may encourage you to overorder just like me, but my favorite part is the stories of the growers. Seriously, it is so well written and has become one of my favorite reads at bedtime. I’m so in love with this catalog that I’m planning a trip to Baker Creek later this year.
So that’s my next tip…find a seed catalog that you like. I signed up for several but found that many are only online, some are okay, and others are perfectly adequate. To be completely honest, The Whole Seed Catalog is the only one I found that is a true hardcopy catalog. You can purchase the full version on their website at: www.rareseeds.com at Barnes & Noble and I think Sam’s Club. They also offer a smaller free version.
As I peruse, I create my initial list by write down anything that interests me…vegetables and annuals. By the time I’m done I have a list that is far too long but I’m okay with that. I’ll be making cuts with the next step. I also like to draw out each bed and label it with how many of each plant.
Once I have my full list, I pull out my colored pens and start labeling. I use the following labels but you can make up your own. First, I designate V for vegetable, A for annual and H for Herbs. Then I make a green dot next to my must haves, a yellow dot next to things I’d like to have, and a red dot next to things to try later.
Now it’s time to look at my must haves compared to space available. If I’m still over what I have space for I number them, 1 being my favorite and so on. At this point I make my final cut.
So, to recap:
Find a catalog(s) you like.
Measure your space.
Create your list.
Draw out a rough plan.
Number from favorite to least favorite.
Make your final cut.
Most importantly, have fun. I love this time of year because it means Spring is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for my next email and blog when I share my seed starting strategy.
Do you have your own system for order seeds? I’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments below or email me at: tina@fencerowphotography.com.
