Seeds, Plants and Thoughts of Spring

Seeds, Plants and Thoughts of Spring

January nearly broke me. Lots of bills. Little sun. And weather that fluctuated between skin-shrivelling rain and nostril-frosting cold.

But I think I’m going to make it after all. Grow Great Grub: Organic Food from Small Spaces by Gayla Trail (Clarskson/Potter, 2010) arrived the other day. I will devour it from cover to cover this week. Trail can turn any patch of soil, inside or out, into a living, breathing garden. The photos of herbs flourishing in a windowsill and heirloom tomatoes tumbling off the vine buoy my flagging spirits. My extended family has  begun planning an expanded communal garden for the spring and I’ve been put in charge of research. Oh, they’ll be so sorry they asked!

Plus, Richters 2010 catalogue landed at my door.  Tangerine Dream Echinacea, Pesto Perpetuo Basil, Crookneck Squash and Lemon Verbena are just a click or two away. I can taste the chocolate mint ice cream already.

Without a tropical vacation on the calendar, I bask in the sun vicariously through books and catalogues like these. Am I alone in this? If not, what are you planning to plant this spring? Any crops you recommend planting or avoiding?

10 Comments
  • Cheryl@5secondrule
    Posted at 16:13h, 01 February

    Funny, you and I were both swept by thoughts of warmer weather today.

    I’m having one big raised bed put in my yard over the next several weeks, so THIS may finally be my summer to garden, or garden lite, at least. I love the thought of your planting a communal garden with your extended family. What a lovely way to bond, get outside, and get yourselves fed all together.

    p.s. Re: gardening advice. Trust me, you don’t want any from me.

  • Monique
    Posted at 16:36h, 01 February

    Lovely thoughts! I bought an established Pesto Perpetuo Basil plant last summer at the market..they assured me it was the best basil to keep indoors after the summer..Well..my maidenhead fern is easier..and everyone knows how hard a maidenhead is to keep indoors.It’s a beautiful plant..it said take me home..and we did..

    Think of it as seasonal..
    I love growing herbs at home..
    Lemon Verbena is on my list I had it once..even indoors..phenomenal!
    .-= Monique´s last blog ..Soul Food #40~ =-.

  • Robin Smart
    Posted at 18:27h, 01 February

    Hey, even I – the non-gardening sister am excited about fresh food! Did we put garlic on that list? If not we should. Can you do garlic in pots?
    Happy researching.
    Love,
    Robin

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:30h, 02 February

    You’re smart to start with “garden lite” since there’s always a learning curve. I tend to underestimate the amount of time a garden takes – but the harvest is worth it!

    I also enjoy the communal aspect of the family garden. We end up sharing meals as well as the bounty. Can’t go wrong there!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:32h, 02 February

    Monique, your comment made me laugh. I have killed so many maidenhead ferns I’ve lost count.

    I think of basil as seasonal and rely on the supermarket during the winter.

    I can’t wait for the lemon verbena. It makes such great tea. I’m already plotting an ice cream around it. Great to know it does well indoors!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:34h, 02 February

    I planted the garlic in the fall amongst the roses. We should have a bumper crop. They will keep the aphids away from the roses and supply me with garlic!

    I don’t think garlic will grow in pots since you need to plant them in the fall and have them winter over. But don’t worry, I’ve got a good start to the garlic crop.

  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 13:29h, 02 February

    You are a more optimistic ground hog than i (not to say that you are a hog at all….). I’m afraid to even think about spring yet. It’s just too early and I am just so impatient. My William Dam Seed catalogue arrived and I stashed it away until later in the month.

    Speaking of growing garlic, here’s what I learned when I wrote about it last fall http://www.homemakers.com/blog/danasblog/tag/garlic/
    .-= Dana McCauley´s last blog ..7 delicious Valentine’s Day gifts for your man =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:59h, 02 February

    Dana, I can be a real hog at times. Believe me. Especially when chocolate is involved.

    Thanks for the link to your hard-earned knowledge about garlic. Much appreciated!

  • Sarah @ Mum In Bloom
    Posted at 09:11h, 04 February

    Gorgeous photos. I have a friend bringing me dried lavender flowers today for a recipe I’m trying. Wish I had her garden and she’s agreed to help me start mine this year. Come on spring 🙂
    .-= Sarah @ Mum In Bloom´s last blog ..Recipe: Maple-Roasted Pork With Sweet Potatoes =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 15:25h, 04 February

    I can’t imagine summer without my garden. It keeps me going through winter.

    I really enjoy lavender but a little goes a long way. Good luck with your recipes.