I'm a person who likes to be very independent and controlling of my destiny, yet I like a little surprise now and again. So the idea of a whole bag full of seed packets that I hadn't individually chosen was very exciting to me. There wasn't a lot of risk to the purchase as I knew the lady who was parting with the seeds, I knew the brand of seeds, and I had actually planted several packets of this brand of seeds this year and they all did great. So it was just a good deal all around.
I had never really considered the idea of seeds as a "gift" before today, but for crying out loud, why hadn't I? It's a land of never-ending choices for the gift giver and receiver. What gardener wouldn't love seeds?! I can't believe I haven't thought of it sooner. Although I do feel the need to insert a word of caution here: Do not try to turn a non-gardener into a gardener by giving them seeds. It more than likely won't be a well-received gift.
So, here's a little sample of what I got in my "grab bag":
- royal burgundy bush bean
- swan lake melon
- garden sage
- scarlet keeper carrot
- blue ballet squash
- picotee cosmos
- beetberry
- lavendar bergamot
- lemon cucumber
- holy basil
These are all things I have never had the opportunity to grow before, how exciting! There are also many seeds that I have grown and loved before:
- sweet marjoram
- summer savory
- german chamomile
- nira chives
- lemon basil
- dark star zucchini
- marigold (many varieties)
- calendula
- echinacea
- spaghetti squash
- small sugar pumpkin
- bunching onion
- mideast prolific cucumber
- iceland poppy
- sugar pod two snow pea
- mesclun salad mix
- butterhead lettuce
I'm not sure what it is about looking at a seed catalog or holding packages of seeds in your hands that creates such excitement.......maybe the thoughts of the growing season to come and sunshine or just that basic connection to the earth when you get to garden. It's pretty awesome and I hope I never get to the point where I'm ordering the same seeds every year to grow the same produce.
All in all, I think I made a good purchase today. I basically spent my pumpkin income on seeds for next year's gardens which, in my mind, is like taking dividends from stock and re-investing in more stock, right? If nothing else, my bees will be very happy come next summer!
Michelle Grosek
michelle@bearbuttegardens.com
www.bearbuttegardens.com
michelle@bearbuttegardens.com
www.bearbuttegardens.com
