Seeds seeds and more seeds

As of last night the new planting season has begun. I seeded thirteen different varieties of flowers, some perennials for my area and a few annuals. As I am still waiting on my orders from Thompson & Morgan and Lindenberg my green fingers were beginning to itch - I couldn't wait any longer. The seeds I planted are those of flowers that will take a little longer to grow anyway - either they have a long germination period or they grow so slow you have to start them early. My youngest daughters school has a plant/bake sale in mid May and previous experience tells me that if I don't start things early enough, people will not buy mini-seedlings even if they are $0.25. The year before last I purchased 18 plants from that sale and spent about $12 - the best way to increase your perennial list is to buy from a local school/church/organization and they benefit as well. I have bought some pretty cool plants from the schools sale. Last year the 'kangaroo apple' (solanum laciniatum) from Australia, was a huge seller - I bought three, two of which stayed at about three feet tall or so, the last one (closer to the deck) stretched to about 5 and a half feet tall. Very pretty blue/purple flowers and interesting seed pods - egg shaped 'berries'. I actually got a call yesterday to see if this plant was on my list of things to grow this year, it is, and they are planted.

Now I wait some more for the new seeds to arrive.

New Beginnings

I have, for the first time ever, ordered flower seeds from a catalog.

I have been getting catalogs for about twelve years or so but have never ordered anything. This is the year I change all that - I put in not one order but two - one with Thompson & Morgan and the other with Lindenberg seeds. I am rather excited to get the seeds and plants I ordered - it's like Christmas all over again!! Over the years my two daughters have asked "what is my thing" and they have each found their "thing". I guess I finally found mine also - flowers are "my thing". Numerous friends and family members have asked how can I remember the Latin and common names for so many plants or flowers and yet have such a hard time remembering birthdays or grocery items I need to buy. I suppose if I spent as much time on those other things as I do reading flower books and checking the Internet gardening pages it may be easier to keep that information retained somewhere in my noggin.

I really do spend a lot of my time looking over pages on the Internet and leafing through plant and seed catalogs - just ask my hubby - somehow the info I read just stays up there. Just to give you an idea of my addiction I was checking over my 'seed this year' list - for the thirtieth time, I came to realize the count is roughly 54 dozen seeds I would like to start this year - some will go to a local school's spring tea/bake/plant sale, some will go to friends/family and the rest will find a home somewhere in my yard. So glad I live on a farm, it makes it much easier to make new flower beds or find a home for so many interesting plants I have found.

I really wanted to keep a page for all my flora-friendly friends and family (and maybe for those that aren't so flora-friendly) and a page that would keep a record of what I grow, what works in my zone 3b garden and any pertinent info that goes along with said plants.

So I welcome you to my little 'eden', I hope you find some information helpful and you enjoy the photos of my plants.