There is no trace of my garden buried under two feet of snow. No hint of Spring in the air. And yet, like the magnetic forces beginning to draw the birds back north, I hear the earth beckon.
Having listened for so many years, I am elated to hear her voice begin to grow stronger once again. And, as I have for so many years, I answer her call.
This morning I placed my order for organic seeds from Seeds of Change. Normally, I wouldn’t be ordering so many packs (I grow my own seeds), but I tried an experiment this past summer that, um, didn’t go too well. The long and short of it was that I wasn’t able to save very many seeds. These are the extra ones I’ll be needing.
- 1 PACK, BEAN, BUSH, BLUE LAKE
- 1 PACK, BEAN, POLE, DOW PURPLE PODDED
- 1 PACK, CARROT, OXHEART
- 1 PACK, CHINESE CABBAGE, CHINA CHOY
- 1 PACK, CORN, JAPANESE HULLESS
- 1 PACK, CUCUMBER, LEMON
- 1 PACK, EGGPLANT, ROSA BIANCA
- 1 PACK, GOURD, BIRD’S NEST OR BOTTLE
- 1 PACK, LETTUCE, BUTTERHEAD
- 1 PACK, LETTUCE, ROMAINE
- 1 PACK, PEA, SUGAR SNAP
- 1 PACK, PEPPER, SWEET, ACONCAGUA
- 1 PACK, PUMPKIN, JACK-O-LITE
- 1 PACK, QUINOA, DAVE (FOUR-O-SEVEN)
- 1 PACK, SUMMER SQUASH BLACK EEL ZUCCHINI
- 1 PACK, SQUASH, STELLA BLUE
- 1 PACK, TOMATO, MATT’S WILD CHERRY
- 1 PACK, WATERMELLON, SUGAR BABY
As soon as the seeds come, I’ll start the more tender ones indoors in seedling packs. The rest I’ll direct-sow starting in early May through the beginning of June, with a second planting in July and August.
For my labor of love and a total of $42.87, the earth will gift me with a bounty of food that will keep my family and friends fed for months.
Patricia, I was not aware there was a book with that title, otherwise I would have gladly given you credit. Gotta say, it makes for a great title. :) And if you have time to read a little more here, you’ll discover that I share your interest in the spiritual connection to the land. I will definitely take a look at your book. Hope other gardeners who visit will as well. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Dear Karen,
An evocative entry, this, as I go out and crouch beside each garden bed to see what’s shoving its way up through the ground. And it startled me to find that you’d invoked the phrase that is the title of my book on the deep meaning of gardens created by ethnic Americans, THE EARTH KNOWS MY NAME, Food, Culture, & Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans. I wonder if you’ve seen it? I think it might speak to you and those who have enjoyed your blog.
Happy coming of spring,
Patricia
I really love winter gardening. I don’t have to deal with the realities of weeds and bugs.
Hey Karen, tag, you’re it. Check my blog for details! Happy weekend!
Oh I’m feeling some of that too. I’m starting to think about what I’ll be planting, though our growing season is much longer away than yours I’m sure. June 1st.
I try something new every year. The hulless corn is this year’s adventure. That is if the deer and racoons don’t get it first!
Wonderful! Mother Earth does that whispering so well and on time. Your selection of seeds looks fantastic. I have used Seeds of Change and was very pleased with the results. I am intigued by the Japanese Hulless corn you mentioned. How nice it would be not to have the hulls stick in teeth after enjoying the corn! I will be watching your garden too. YUM! :)
With pleasure! :)
Oh, you’re so lucky!! The only things that grow in our patio are succulents! It’s so scorching hot and dry… Please do keep us updated on the progress of your veggie garden! I’ll live vicariously through you.