Cold Climate Gardening

I got my Thompson & Morgan seed catalog today. Talk about rushing the season! It’s usually the first catalog to arrive, but I don’t remember it ever coming this early. I must say, the ‘Fruit Punch’ Oriental poppies on the cover tempt me to break my vow of no more seed starting until the beds are restored to order. I’ve always wanted to try some poppies in the pink/purple range in the southwest front border, but–well, there’s an awful lot of goldenrod to be dug out of that bed first. Sigh. Maybe next year. If you’re thinking of growing lots of plants from seed, check out this seed growing stand. I found a stand with lights made a …

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People who have been reading a while might remember this post of mine from a while back. Well, today we have a very similar story. Once again, it begins with me coming back from shopping–which is odd, because I actually very rarely go out shopping, only about once a month when I go out to clean my grandmother’s house. From the way my stories always go, you’d think I did nothing but shop. And once again I was informed I’d received a letter from Fedco’s.

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Today, I came back from shopping, and found a piece of mail for me–an envelope, hand addressed. Hello! I wasn’t expecting any letters. . .what’s the return address? Fedco! Oh, no!! I sent my order in when it was only a week till thier deadline, I hope they’re not telling me I’m too late for this year!! We’re not that far from Maine! I ordered as soon as I could, honest. It was my first year odering. I’ll do better next year!

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I only order from Jungs as a last resort. But have you checked out Fedco Seeds? They have your Hydrangea, and incredible seeds cheap. They only download catalogs, so until we got cable, I couldn’t really look. Amazing!!!!

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My poor rosemary got frozen pretty good up one side this week–too near the glass on the porch. The others wintering over look ok and two of the English violets look like they may be alive. The lemon tree has a nearly ripe fruit, for Heavens’ sake. It was -20F this morning and the front door was frozen shut when I woke up. The jet stream can go back to the Yukon, please. At least there is lots of snow cover for the lining out stock in the gardens.

For the duration of this cold snap I am trying to stay inside as I frostbit my feet a bit last week plowing–a good …

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A couple months ago Marianne was raving about some pole bean you and her really liked. Something about it never really getting overmature? The Borlotto Pole Beans sounds familiar, was that what she was talking about? I usually just buy all of my vegetables from Johnny’s, because they have a really good catalogue for beginners. They give a lot of information on how to grow things, and what the differences are between the varieties. For those of us who need hand-holding, it’s really good. However, I was quite disappointed this year. They seem to have cut back on their selection of vegetables, and branched out more into the herb/flower/gardening supplies. Considering the had the highest price I’ve seen yet for …

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I have to admit I’m ambivalent about Jung. The prices are very appealing, but you know that saying, “You get what you pay for?” The last time I ordered flower seed from Jung, it seemed it hadn’t been rogued out very good. The ‘Seashell’ cosmos didn’t have many with seashells, and I think some other flower seed had more than 50% the wrong color. And we ordered a bunch of strawberry plants that I remember arriving in not-so-hot condition.

Truth be told, I haven’t ordered from them in years, but I do like looking at their catalog. It seems they have gotten away from selling seeds and are selling more plants, both perennials and woodies, and this is what makes the …

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