Seeds

Seed Catalogs are something that I never knew existed BF (before the farm). I remember reading a gardening forum, for I knew now that I lived on a farm I needed a garden, about how people were already receiving their seed catalogs. Did I mention it was early January? Being the novice I was, I couldn't understand why in the world anyone would want to think about planting a garden in January, here in Indiana (zone 5).

So, I took the plunge and did what the forum readers suggested, go to these various web pages and sign up for a free catalog. What the heck, free is always good, right?

In the following years I was on every plant and seed catalog mailing list and was receiving catalogs as early as mid-December. And now, I understand the wonder and excitement of receiving such catalogs. I'm sitting here now with no less that 30 different catalogs to review. It is mid-February, and it is actually a little late for me to be placing my orders, as many people will start their seed indoor by now. I am by no means an accomplished gardener, so I don't have the same pressure!

My general goal is this: (remember, I'm zone 5)
Start tomatoes seed indoors by March 15th (to be planted in garden by May 15, our avg. last frost date.)
Start broccoli and cabbage seeds indoors by April 15th.

In the garden:
By mid April, start lettuce, spinach, onions, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and peas, as soon as the garden can be worked.

By end of May, have rest of garden planted, including, zucchini, pie pumpkins, butternut squash, and all the seeds started indoors.

My garden is fairly small and manageable, and each year I have grand ideas for it's expansion. Last year, I received some ever bearing strawberry plants. I was not able to create a bed for them, but I did plant them in pots and even now, mid-February, there are green leaves poking through the snow. I am hopeful that they will transplant well and I might get a fairly decent harvest even this year.

If you've never had the pleasure of receiving seed catalogs, you are missing out on a wonderful way to warm and brighten these long days of winter. Consider visiting some of my favorite companies below and sign up - after all, it is free and you only have to sign up for a couple....the rest will come!

Johnny's Seeds: http://www.johnnyseeds.com/
Seed Savers: http://www.seedsavers.org/
Gardens alive! http://www.gardensalive.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1266244077
Vessey Seeds: http://www.veseys.com/us/en/?veseys=l45vfk5r7ar8pqu4hnatjsb6f1
Indiana Berry: https://indianaberry.com/
Henry Fields: http://henryfields.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1266244163
Michigan Bulb: http://michiganbulb.com/Default.asp?

Happy Planting!