Renee Shepherd
This year when I sent in my seed requests, I also included a letter thanking Renee for her generosity and offering to help with a seed giveaway, should she be interested. She was interested enough that she phoned me to work out the details.
Giveaway details
Starting today and continuing until midnight on Saturday, March 7, 2009, you are invited to visit Renee’s Garden and drool look over her offerings. Come back and in the comments tell us all the six packets of seed you’d like to win, making sure you include a valid email address. One commenter will be chosen at random from all received and will receive six seed packets of their choice. In addition, everyone is eligible for the following online order discount: Buy four Seed Packets and Get One Free To take advantage of this offer, go to the Renee’s Garden website. Choose a minimum of five seed packets for your shopping cart. When you check out, enter the special offer code CCG09 in the box provided and one packet is free. This coupon code is valid from March 1, 2009 through March 16, 2009. This giveaway and the coupon code are available to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
Trialing Renee’s Seeds at Purdyville
Last year, my family and I had a great time experimenting with the seeds we got from Renee’s Garden. The last time I tried sweet peas, I didn’t have much luck with them. I requested several different varieties from Renee’s Garden, and tried starting some indoors and some direct sown. I concluded that direct sowing about three weeks before the last expected frost (mid-May for me) worked just as well as sowing indoors, and was less work. We have yards of chicken fencing to grow annual vines on.
I planted Jewels of Albion and Perfume Delight, both mixes, and I don't know which this is from.
The chicken fence is also where Cadie indulged her fascination with morning glories. Last year she grew Grandpa Otts, Early Call, Glacier Star, and Scarlett O’Hara. At their base she grew Convolvulus tricolor, which is in a different genus and does not vine, but is called bush morning glory.
Grandpa Otts and Glacier Star morning glories. Photo (c) 2008 Cadence Purdy
Up in the vegetable garden, several children collaborated on a flower garden. They planted everything too close together, but that just meant the weeds had less of a chance to take over. Every day they checked to see if anything new was blooming, and if it was, they dug out the seed packets to figure out what it was.
The scarlet poppies were not from Renee's, but everything else was. Except--not sure if that's Bishop's or Queen Anne's lace.
Owen’s pride and joy, however, were the Sunzilla sunflowers.
Sunzilla sunflowers and children. Owen, standing, is five feet tall.
We’ve really enjoyed trying out her seeds, but they’re more than just fun. Renee’s Garden seed packets are just as beautiful as Botanical Interests’ and are nearly as detailed. Her website offers an incredible amount of information to help you succeed at gardening, most of which will apply no matter whose seed you are growing. And if you’re planning a wedding, she has a special seed offering to use as guest favors. And if you’re interested in the details of commercial seed production, check out her blog.
We have a winner!
The random number generator picked #26, which is Angie. I just sent her an email with details on how to get her seeds mailed to her. Congratulations, Angie!
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
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I picked all flower seeds…wonder what that says about me…
-Snapdragon-Chantilly
-Four o clocks – Tea time
-Zinnia- Green Envy
-Calendula-Flashback
-Nasturtium-Cherries Jubilee
-Poppy-Heirloom “legion of honor”
What a great offer. Thank-you. here is my selection
Fragrant Wallflower ‘scented gold’
Columbine ‘Mrs Scott Elliot’
Globe amaranth ‘Mardi Gras’
Pak choi ‘green fortune’
Nigella’Mulberry rose’
Nigella’White Bride’s Vail’
I’d love to try:
Heirloom cutting lettuce
Garden Babies lettuce
Super sugar snap peas
Baby belle peppers
Summer scallop trio squash
Super bush tomato
This year my husband and I want to do small raised bed and container gardens for people who need a fresh food supply. Many of our friends have lost their jobs or have had severe cutbacks. We thought this would be fun and helpful
1. Super bush tomatoes
2. Garden babies Lettuce
3. Pot of gold chard
4. Bush slicer cucumbers
5. Pizza my heart pepper
6. Ronde de nice zucchini
I cannot wait for winter to be over! I would love to win the following seeds:
Nasturtium, Spitfire
Nasturtium, Amazon Jewel
Nasturtium, Copper Sunset
Sunflower, Sun Samba
Sunflower, Chocolate Cherry
Sunflower, Junior
Thanks so much for your generous offer!
Working on a vegetable garden in the mountains. Dismal results last year so this year I am experimenting with cold frames and other ways of keeping out deer and ground squirrels (those furry rascals ate my one and only squash!). Would love to win some seeds.
1. Snow Peas, “Oregon Giant”
2. Scallions, “Delicious Duo”
3. Radishes, “Easter Egg II Mix”
4. Carrots, “Sunshine Mix”
5. Bean, Pole Spanish “Musica”
6. Beets, “Baby Ball”
Thanks.
I really would like to have a garden this year! Since we don’t have a lot of room, I would really like the Container Vegetable Garden option. It contains 5 different seed packets in it!
Thanks for this wonderful contest!
Twitter: @commonweeder
I’m a fan of Renee’s Seeds, and of Renee who is such a supporter of gardeners. Johnny’s Selected Seeds, who is always represented in my garden, is also offering a GiveAway over at the Commonweeder. Hope to see some of you there.
Thanks for this wonderful offer. Renee’s seeds have always been a favorite of mine. I’d love to try these:
Hyacinth Bean Vine, “Ruby Moon”
Nigella, Love in a Mist, “Persian Violet”
Sunflower, “Sun Samba”
Beans, “Tricolor Bush”
Cucumber, “Heirloom Armenian”
Tomato, Plum, “Italian Pompeii”
Thanks –
Deb – An upstater living in NC
I just found your site today, how fun! It’s hard to think about gardening with it so cold outside but here I go^_^
*Tomatoes Heirloom “Summer Feast”
*Tomatoes “Rainbow’s End Heirloom Mix”
*Lettuce container “Garden Babies”
*Peas “Super Sugar Snap”
*Beans “Improved Roma”
*Scabiosa “Grandmother’s Pincushion”
Now off to shop some more!
Twitter: @OurLittleAcre
I just purchased two packets of Renee’s Garden seeds at our local home and garden show. The Ft. Wayne Botanical Gardens stocks them. Lovely packets!
The six packets I would LOVE to win are:
Larkspur, Parisian Pink
Lettuce, Merveille De Quatre Saisons
Lettuce, Asian Baby Leaf Mix
Alyssum, Summer Peaches
Sunflower, Cinnamon Sun
Calendula, Flashback
My goal is to grow more veggies and herbs, so I’d like to try:
1. Tricolor Pole Beans
2. Basil “Italian Pesto”
3. Basil “Profuma di Genova”
4. Pole Bean “French Duet”
5. Pole Bean “Spanish Musica”
6. Larkspur “Earl Grey”
Ooo, exciting! I love Renee’s seeds! Here’s what I’d love:
1. Cat Treats, Gourmet “Mixed Greens”
2. Catmint , Landscaping Ornamental
3. Lavender, “English Munstead”
4. Beans, Pole, “Tricolor”
5. Chard, Container, “Pot of Gold”
6. Lettuce, “Heirloom Cutting Mix”
Awesome!
Cathy, what a neat giveaway. I’m glad you suggested, and Renee accepted : )Thanks!
Here’s my list:
1.Penstemon “Garden Bells”
2.Scabiosa “Grandmother’s Pincushion”
3.Sweet Peas “Queen of Hearts”
4.Veronica “Sightseeing”
5.Zinnia “Apricot Profusion”
6. Phlox “Dutch Tapestry”
Hi! After years of dreaming of what my garden would look like, I finally have a “real” garden and no longer have to be limited to balcony container gardens. These are the plants I would like to try:
1. Mina Lobata, Exotic Love Vine
2. Globe Amaranth, “Mardi Gras”
3. Hollyhock, “Black Watchman”
4. Salpiglossis, “Stained Glass”
5. Nigella, Love in a Mist, “Persian Violet”
6. Penstemon, “Garden Bells”
I’ve always loved what Renee has to offer.
Her flowers are scrumptious.
With the budget tightness and the economy looking like it isn’t going to be getting better soon, I have passed on buying any flower seed this year and concentrated solely on veg to freeze/can for winter.
Winning some would be grand!
1. Cucumber, Pickling/Kirby, “Endeavor”
2. Peppers, “Jewel Tone Sweet Bells”
3. Peppers, “Corno di Toro Mix”
4. Pumpkins, “Holiday Mix”
5. Squash, Zucchini, “Tricolor Mix”
6. Tomatoes, Heirloom ” Summer Feast”
Hi! I was referred here by Carol at May Dreams Gardens for the seed giveaway, but now I’ve found another garden blog to add to my favorites. I’ve been gardening in Indiana for about five years now, and have yet to successfully transfer seeds outside. I hope this year is different!! Here are my picks, should I win:
Larkspur – Earl Grey
Larkspur – Imperial Alouette
Nigella – White Bride’s Veil
Poppy – California Buttercream
Sunflower – Choclolate Cherry
Zinnia – Apricot Blush
Thanks!!
I am a newbie to your blog and franky a newbie to gardening. THis year will be the first year I will have a big garden. I usually only had space for a few herbs and maybe some tomatoes. Here are my top 6 packs.
1. Tomato, Heirloom, “Chianti Rose”
2. Onions, Scallions, “Delicious Duo”
3. Squash, “Summer Scallop Trio”
4. Tomatoes, “Rainbow’s End Heirloom Mix”
5. Lettuce, “Heirloom Cutting Mix”
6. Squash, “Delicata & Butternut”
Wow, look at all these seed lovers! I won’t enter because I’d probably fail with the seeds but congrats on such a nice giveaway.
I would love to try these with our kids in the garden this year. Thanks!
Beans, Fresh Soy “Edamame”
Squash, “Summer Scallop Trio”
Squash, “Delicata & Butternut”
Onions, Scallions, “Delicious Duo”
Chard, Rainbow, “Bright Lights”
Corn, Early Sweet, “Casino”
I just found your blog via my google reader suggested sites. What a great giveaway! My seed choices are:
Morning Glory, “Grandpa Ott’s
Hollyhock, “Black Watchman”
Moonflower Vine
Sunflower, Container, “Junior”
Basil, “Salad Leaf”
Strawberry, Alpine, “Mignonette
Wow, this would be lovely. With my partner laid-off and my work cutting back, times are hard and I’m making tough choices with seed this year. Theoretically I can use food stamp benefits to buy seed/seedlings, but no stores which accept them have seed early enough! What a help this would be!
I’d love to win:
Fennel, Bulbing, “Trieste”
Spinach, Baby Leaf, “Catalina”
Squash, “Delicata & Butternut”
Pumpkin, Cinderella’s Carriage”
Peppers, Chile, “Southwestern Trio”
Marigold, “Signet Starfire”
Thanks for the posting about Renee’s Garden and the offer. Like others here, I’ve enjoyed her seed selections and also have had very good luck with her picks. Recently I heard Jay Leshinsky of her company speak about their new varieties for 2009, and so I’m including some in my list!
Mini Salad Pepper “Baby Belle”
Fragrant Wallflower, “Scented Gold”
Carnation, “Enfant de Nice”
Nasturtium, Climbing, “Moonlight”
Sunflower, Container, “Junior”
Basil, “Italian Pesto”
Pumpkins, “Holiday Mix”
Peppers, Mini Salad, “Baby Belle”
Peppers, Container “Pizza My Heart”
Corn, Early Sweet, “Casino”
Cucumber, ” Garden Oasis”
Marigold, “Signet Starfire”
Great Site:)
I’m always looking for new things that my parents can try – they live in a much higher elevation and they don’t do much on the internet. So I’m always surfing to find garden info for them, since what i know won’t work for them. This blog has been a huge help with that!
Squash, Zucchini, “Ronde de Nice”
Carrot, Gourmet “Round Romeo”
Beans, Pole, Spanish “Musica”
Tomato, Heirloom, “Chianti Rose”
Cucumber, ” Garden Oasis”
Cucumber, ” Heirloom Lemon”
I’ve been enjoying your blog for ages, and am now inspired to try starting flower seeds (I’ve only ever grown veggies from seed). Here are the seeds I’d like to try. Like Katie, I had a hard time narrowing it down!
Buddleia, “Lavender Butterfly”
Cathedral Bells Vine
Phlox “Dutch Tapestry”
Sweet Peas, Container “Color Palette Cupid ”
Columbine, “Mrs. Scott Elliot”
Morning Glory, “Grandpa Ott’s”
I’m a veggie garden person so I would like:
tomatoes
cucumbers
watermelon
argula
corn
spinach
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
This year I want to plant some of my garden in memory of my Grandmother’s garden in Ireland. The seeds I would like to try are:
Sweet Willliam, “Lace Mantle”
Cornflowers, “Blue Boy”
Columbine, “Mrs Scott Elliott”
Bells of Ireland, “Apple Green”
Cathedral Bells Vine
Thank you!
I already orderd a lot my seeds but I’m getting bees so I need to add some more flowers & herbs to my gardens. I would love to try:
Hollyhock, “Black Watchman”
Monarda , “Bergamo Bouquet”
Alpine Strawberry
Fennel, “Smokey” Bronze
Lavender, “Hidcote”
Cat Treats
I’ve loved Renee’s seeds for many years, and I’m really glad for this chance to cast my comment in the garden.. who knows what might emerge
Cucumber, Baby Persian, “Green Fingers”
Mâche ,”Gala”
Lettuce, Gourmet Salad “Asian Baby Leaf Mix”
Radish, “Crimson Crunch”
Spinach, “Oriental Giant”
Marjoram, Sweet
Thanks!
what a lovely garden you have!
I am very interested in growing heirloom flowers in my garden, and preserving our heirloom seed heritage. I’d love to grow and save seed of these type of flowers to pass on to others to enjoy for years to come.
Amaranth, Love Lies Bleeding
Flowering Vine “Exotic Love”
Heliotrope “Marine”
Nasturtium “Empress of India”
Poppy,Canation,”French Flounce”
Poppy,Heirloom,”Hungarian Bread Seed”
——————
Thanks for such a fun giveaway.
Have been following your blog for about a year now. Always very interesting. It took me 2 hours to narrow it down to six packets! I would like to try: “Slenderette” Beans, “Bolero” Carrots, “Big Beef” Tomatoes, “Garden Bells” Penstemon, “Pastel Sundial” Portulaca, and “Snack Seed Sunflowers. Good luck to all!
I love gardening. Wonderful website, thanks.
1. Melons, “Three Flavor Mix”
2.Watermelon, Icebox ” Rainbow Sherbet”
3.Tomatoes, “Rainbow’s End Heirloom Mix”
4.Tomatoes, Heirloom ” Summer Feast”
5.Corn, Early Sweet, “Casino”
6.Cucumber, Pickling/Kirby, “Endeavor”
Twitter: @tomatodrill
What a lovely give away and what a great new go-to website for seeds!
I’d love these additions to our garden this year:
eggplant – “Italian Trio”
cucumber – “Garden Oasis”
pole beans – “Spanish Musica”
Carrot – “King Midas”
Lettuce – “Farmers Market Blend”
Snow Peas – “Oregon Giant”
Thank you for the chance!
Twitter: @jennahw
Just found you on gardening.alltop.com (I’m on there, too) – and just in time for a giveaway! Perfect
It’s snowing here today (a foot expected! eek!), so looking at seeds is just what I need. I would loooove to have the following…(crossing fingners!)
Lavender – Container, French Perfume
Basil, Container “Italian Cameo”
Alyssum “Summer Peaches”
Nasturtium, “Alaska Mix”
Cosmos, “Little Ladybirds”
Calendula, “Flashback”
I’d choose:
1) Watercress, English
2) Strawberry, Alpine, “Mignonette”
3) Poppy, “Heirloom Pepperbox”
4) Feverfew, “White Wonder”
5) Lettuce, “Heirloom Cutting Mix”
6) Zinnia, “Cut and Come Again”
Twitter: @gardenpunk
Renee’s seeds are among my favorites, partially because she is a down-to-earth person and seems really wonderful. Everything I hear about her makes me like her even more.
I have so many of her seeds that it was hard to come up with 5 MORE I’d like to try…
1. Butterfly Bush
2. Heirloom Cypress Vine
3. Exotic Love Vine
4. Orange Cherry Tomatoes – Sungold
5. Chamomile
Twitter: @liz4flowers
How fun! I never grow tired of seed shopping.
Globe Amaranth, “Mardi Gras”
Fennel, “Smokey” Bronze
Marigold, “Signet Starfire”
Nasturtium, “Cherries Jubilee”
Sunflower, “Van Gogh”
Beans, Fresh Soy “Edamame”
Thanks Kathy,
Elizabeth
Twitter: @reddirtramblin
Well, I should have taken Renee at her words this year. I did purchase many packets of seeds from her, all unusual stuff, but I’m sure I can find more, more, more. Great idea for the giveaway, BTW.
I would like:
Easter Egg Radishes;
Cinderella’s Carriage Pumpkins;
Sunzilla Sunflowers;
‘Ruby Moon’ Hyacinth Bean;
Raggedy Anne Zinnias; and
Cathedral Bells
Twitter: @Faire Garden
Hi Kathy, what a generous offer, thanks so much. I love Renee’s Seeds and last year ordered some roses called Angel Wings from her, just for the fun of growing roses from seed. They germinated and have grow nicely and will be moved to a permanent position this year. I love her seed packets with all the great info. I saw her on TV, Paul James’ show I think where she told how to grow salad mixes. She is the epitome of how a seed company should conduct its business.
My list:
Foxglove, “Apricot Faerie Queen”
Poppy, “Heirloom Pepperbox”
Alyssum “Summer Peaches”
Sunflower, “Chocolate Cherry”
Sweet Peas, Exhibition “North Shore”
Zinnia, “Decor”
Thanks Kathy,
Frances
I love your column. I’m originally from Ohio, but now live in West Virginia and i am loving it. We live on a small farm with lots of room to garden. My passion, second only tomy family. I like Renees Runner bean “Magic Beanstalk”, Heliotrope”Marine”(love the aroma),Cleome”Color Fountains”,Mina Lobata”ExoticLove Vine”,Wallflower”Scented Gold”,Zinnia”Polar Bear” Thank you!
I am a gardener challenged by high altitude & short seasons in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Thanks for the fun contest! I’ve love to have all these growing in my garden:
Squash, Summer Heirloom, Climbing “Trombetta”
Kale, Heirloom, “Lacinato”
Beans, Bush, ”Slenderette”
Monarda , “Bergamo Bouquet”
Morning Glory,Early Call”
Snapdragon, “Chantilly”
I need some flowers to put in among my vegetables. These would be perfect!
Marigold, “Signet Starfire”
Marigold, “Summer Splash”
Nasturtium, “Creamsicle”
Nasturtium, “Amazon Jewel”
Nasturtium, “Copper Sunset”
Nasturtium, “Vanilla Berry”
what a wonderful giveaway. We are doing a small garden from containers on our deck this year. This would be an awesome win. Thanks!
Tomato, Cherry, “Garden Candy”
Tomato, “Crimson Carmello”
Strawberry, Alpine, “Mignonette
Cleome, “Color Fountains”
Beans, Bush, French “Rolande”
Columbine, “Mrs. Scott Elliot”
I’m starting a garden this year – but I’ll have to fight the hungry hungry deer for it. I’m thinking of two gardens, one for them and one for us! I’d choose:
1. Three Sisters Native American Garden
2. Rainbow Kitchen Garden Collection
3. Broccoli Raab
4. Beans, Pole, “Tricolor”
5. Moonflower Vine
6. Nicotiana
1. beefsteak tomatoes
2. cherry tomatoes
3. dark green zucchini
4. sweetpeas
5. pansies
I love to garden but have never purchased from Renees garden before. I have never even heard of it until today. I had so much fun chosing the seeds.
I would like to have the following seeds:
1. Sweet Peas, Exhibition “Blue Celeste”
2. Sweet William
3. Rose, Miniature, “Angel Wings”
4. Stock, “Ten Week Bouquet”
5. Scabiosa, “Grandmother’s Pincushion”
6.Penstemon, “Garden Bells”
the pictures of your seed trials are fabulous…thanks for sharing renee’s garden with us..
1 – basil – scented trio
2 – morning glory – mailbox mix
3 – morning glory – grandpa otts
4 – delphinium – spray blue mirror
5 – grass – container spiky blue
6 – tomatoes – red and yellow mini pear
I’m planning on starting a garden for the first time, and this would be perfect.
1. marigold
2. basil
3. globe amaranth
4. Zinnia “Cool Crayon Colors”
5. delphinium
6. Poppy “Tropical Sunset”
As a gardener in central Maine, I enjoy your column/blog. Am starting seeds indoors for the first time and will watch your website for tips. below are my selection of 6 Renee seeds:
1. Snapdragon Chantilly
2. Sweet William Lace Mantle
3. Sweet Pea Bouquet Cherie Amour
4. Zinnia Blue Point
5. Zinnia Granny’s Bouquet
6. Bean Pole Filet French Duet
Thank you!!!
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