Got my first seed catalogue --ever!

**Minner77** · 12-15-2008, 07:52 PM

I'm so excited! My hubby and I have never gardened, but we're really excited to be putting in our first effort in the spring (probably late spring, since we live in the Black Hills, which puts us in Zone 5).

We prepared raised beds above our rocky soil this fall -- six 4'x10' plots. I am researching and researching, making my poor head ache trying to best determine what to plant. I am determined to plant heirloom seeds -- hoping we're not biting off more than we can chew, being novices and all.

Sooner or later I am going to have to stop researching and make some decisions, but it all seems so overwhelming! What to plant, exactly how to improve the soil, how much to plant, is it too ambitious to try to learn to can, too?? Aye aye aye!

We're really excited, though, and very committed. Trying to be more self-sufficient is a huge part of why we moved here, so we're game!

Wish us luck, if you please!
~Mary

**homesteadmamma** · 12-15-2008, 07:58 PM

You'll have so much fun gardening. Just remember not to go too big the first year, otherwise it can become overwhelming.

I got a seed catalogue about a month ago. I love looking at them and figuring out what I'm going to plant. Can't wait for the growing season which doesn't come until the middle of May or even the end of May, depending on the weather.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-15-2008, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Minner77

I'm so excited! My hubby and I have never gardened, but we're really excited to be putting in our first effort in the spring (probably late spring, since we live in the Black Hills, which puts us in Zone 5).

We prepared raised beds above our rocky soil this fall -- six 4'x10' plots. I am researching and researching, making my poor head ache trying to best determine what to plant. I am determined to plant heirloom seeds -- hoping we're not biting off more than we can chew, being novices and all.

Sooner or later I am going to have to stop researching and make some decisions, but it all seems so overwhelming! What to plant, exactly how to improve the soil, how much to plant, is it too ambitious to try to learn to can, too?? Aye aye aye!

We're really excited, though, and very committed. Trying to be more self-sufficient is a huge part of why we moved here, so we're game!

Wish us luck, if you please!
~Mary

OMG Mary I love reading my seed catalogs--- all of them. I mean I read every word about every seed. I love looking at all the pictures and "thinking" about my garden. Last year was the first one we've had in a long long time. I had so much fun.

Now read Lasagna Garden from your local library. It's inspiring too. order a bunch more seed catties, (catalogs) you will love love love to read all the different stuff in them. I have a little notebook that I have *notes to self in.

Best wishes.

I'm in zone 6/7 (I live on the state line and the zone changes there)

**hestlauss** · 12-15-2008, 10:08 PM

You can learn so much from reading seed catalogs! There is nothing better on a cold night than a hot cup of tea and new catalog (we call it armchair gardening). My mom and I do seed swaps (we take turns buying seeds and dividing them up and trading them so we can both try varieties without spending so much money). If they turn out to be a hit we save some of the seeds from what we grew and replant them for next year. Saving seeds is also a great way to customize seeds for your climate. For example if you are looking for early tomatoes just save seeds from the first fruit and if you keep doing this each year you will be able to breed the characteristics you want. Can;t wait to hear how your garden grows.

**madhen** · 12-15-2008, 10:11 PM

I get 10-15 seed catalogues every year, usually right around January.

The best by far, information-wise, is Territorial Seed Company. But I love looking through all the others, as well.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-15-2008, 10:19 PM

I like Territorial Seed too, but I think my fave so far is Seed Saver.

**Minner77** · 12-16-2008, 01:19 PM

Many thanks to all of you! I just ordered the seed catalogues you recommended... I was looking for some good ones (the one I got was Seeds of Change -- looks yummy!). The websites themselves have lots of good info, too!

We really are psyched up about our project, and are hoping to have at least some success at our first venture.

We definitely plan on saving seeds, too. Just realized: I've been compiling notes on planting, but haven't taken down a word about saving seeds. Must do some amending.

I got Lasagna Gardening out of the library -- great reading, Misti, Thanks!

~Mary

**nandmsmom** · 12-16-2008, 03:55 PM

I just got my Pinetree catalog. I'm drooling looking at all the wonderful seeds.

**vigilant20** · 12-16-2008, 04:01 PM

How exciting! And thanks for the reminder to sign up for a bunch!

**hestlauss** · 12-16-2008, 08:07 PM

In addition to the ones already listed I also like Bountiful Gardens, Johnny's Selected Seeds and Gourmet Seeds International. For fruit favorites are Burnt Ridge Nursery (really nice sized trees for the price), Rain Tree Nursery and One Green World.

**Minner77** · 12-16-2008, 10:15 PM

Wow, thanks for the recommendations, hestlauss! I'll be requesting them!

~Mary

**Dave'sGirl** · 12-17-2008, 04:04 AM

Good luck Mary! I'll ask my sister what she might have had success with while she lived out there. I do know deer and hail were a problem one year, just to give you a heads up and prepare for that.

As far as saving seed, save only the heirloom, not the hybrid ones. Pay attention to which is which cuz hybrid will not be the same next year.

Seed catalogs are my reward for living thru the Christmas season. I get them but do not allow myself to look at them til I live thru another Christmas at the PO.

It sounds like you are really educating yourself, and that's really smart! Just ask here, I think there are a few of us veteran gardeners here.

**Minner77** · 12-17-2008, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Dave'sGirl

Good luck Mary! I'll ask my sister what she might have had success with while she lived out there. I do know deer and hail were a problem one year, just to give you a heads up and prepare for that.

As far as saving seed, save only the heirloom, not the hybrid ones. Pay attention to which is which cuz hybrid will not be the same next year.

Seed catalogs are my reward for living thru the Christmas season. I get them but do not allow myself to look at them til I live thru another Christmas at the PO.

It sounds like you are really educating yourself, and that's really smart! Just ask here, I think there are a few of us veteran gardeners here.

Thank's Dave'sGirl! That would be a huge bonus! I live more in the Hills, so I wonder if we're more of a 4 than a 5, like some people in Rapid? We are at a higher (1000' higher) elevation.

We are building a 6-7' deer fence (and know all about hail, unfortunately: you should see our car, and what happened to it when it was 10 days old!).

I've been reading about saving seeds, and it seems, again, just about overwhelming, but the whole idea behind using heirloom is to save the seeds, so I gotta' learn!

~Mary

**hestlauss** · 12-18-2008, 07:55 PM

The best book I've seen on seed saving so far is Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth and Kent Whealy