It may seem a little early for some but with the passing of the winter solstice and the lengthening days I am already making garden plans for next year, ordering seeds and even sowing vegetables- planted my crop of Elephant garlic from last year, sowed broad beans inside and even have a tray of nine-star perennial broccoli sprouting in the greenhouse. The weather has been cool but we have had some beautiful days of sunshine, enticing enough for even the most reluctant gardeners.
If you are looking for veggie seeds you can do no better than Brown Envelope Seeds who have a great selection this year. Looking through their catalogue I was particularly struck by the number of varieties that would merit planting for ornamental value alone- from the Crimson Flowered broad Bean, the Black magic Runner, to the bright Lights Swiss Chard with its bright orange and yellow stem, amazing Painted Mountain corn, and my own favourite the astonishing romanesco Broccoli- aka “Fractal Broccoli” – there is a feast here for the eyes as much for the belly.
Peak oil gloomers and doomers should not miss the gift box selections which include the “Armageddon” Pack with 10 packets of seeds, pencil and plant labels- emergency flares not included. Sure to be a popular choice in 2009!
Hi Graham
Similar thoughts here on passing the solstice – which (by the way) seems like a much more interesting thing to celebrate than the supposed birthday of some bloke a couple of millennia ago.
I’m planning the garden beds around our cabin at the mo (Zone 1-2 in perma-speak) and looking specifically for perennial and self-seeding annual herbs, vines & bushes – things that once established will stay there or keep coming back, since I really haven’t got the inclination or the time to prepare the soil, plant and weed every spring.
Any suggestions, recommendations?
(By the way, our climate here in N Spain is very like Cork but a bit warmer, so things that do well there will probably do better here.)
Love that fractal broccoli! One of the great things about the postal service is that, here in the colonies, it is written into the Constitution. You can send for seeds. Even from Ireland. Even if they go by packet steamer or clipper ship.