Backyard
Gardener
THE TIME OF WAITING:
Seed Catalogs Story and Photos by Kat Long/Contributing Writer
“But I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment because they’ll never come again.”
start with Baker Creek Seeds. They can be found online at Rareseeds. com. The catalog is beautiful and Jere Gettle, the owner, has a wonderful – Captain Picard, “Star Trek: Generations.” story. Take a few moments to read it. Another point in this catalog’s favor: these are heirloom and One of my favorite quotes on time. It is a little out open pollinated seeds which have been grown of context, but time itself doesn’t have to be the and saved on Missouri farmland. These are enemy. As a gardener/grower, time is something Midwestern-grown seeds! Don’t get me wrong: you never have enough of; except when growing plenty of my seeds are from California or other is hindered by seasons, weather or access. So, states which may not have all four seasons. But let’s just enjoy these seed catalogs and get ready Missouri seeds, at least, understand seasonal for growing season. changes. The seed catalogs are arriving! So exciting. Every Second rule: get your seed orders in as soon as January and February the seed catalogs build possible. Caveat: you don’t have to order all your the excitement for the coming spring: what will seeds but due to the resurgence in gardening we plant? What will grow? Will there be enough from COVID-19 and supply chain issues, you space/time/resources/time to do all the things might want to get your “I always plant these” before next winter? Will the tomatoes sprout? So seeds ordered and on their way. Things like many questions. Let’s check out some answers. But first, Backyard Gardener’s Seed Catalog Rules. radishes, lettuces, cucumbers, etc. ... I’ll list some alternate ideas as backup later on, just in case you can’t find the seeds you want. First rule of seed catalogs: don’t make any decisions until you have perused several books/ Third and final Backyard Gardener rule: if you websites and made a list or marked all the can’t get the seed/roots you want this year, order possibilities for the coming growing season. For them for next year. No dwelling. Back to that time instance: I do not look at any of the catalogs until quote. It’s OK if we don’t get everything this time. I have received 10 of them; either an email link Plan for next time and hope we make it to that to look at them electronically or in the mail. Well, future time. we achieved the required number this week. (For reference, this week is Christmas week.) I always
Here are all the catalogs I have received. Annies Heirloom Seeds anniesheirloomseeds.com Baker Creek Seeds rareseeds.com Gardens Alive! gardensalive.com Gurneys Gurneys.com Johnny’s Selected Seeds johnnyseeds.com Park Seed parkseed.com Renee’s Garden Seeds reneesgarden.com Seed Savers Exchange seedsavers.org Seeds N Such seedsnsuch.com Willhite Seed Inc willhiteseed.com I also order seeds from Johnston Seed company in Enid for grasses and wildflowers but don’t always get a catalog as I order a fourth pound of See WAITING Continued on page 41
38 February 2022
