the plant pharmacy

Though we live in an area with abundant medicinal plants in the wild, I do not trust myself with identification of most of them and do not have the means or time to toodle about the countryside in search of them. I would also rather have them here on the property rather than have to go and hunt them down as I am rather lazy like that. Besides that, many of the herbs have beautiful flowers that attract hummingbirds and other healthy critters that we would like more of. So, a couple weeks ago I went on a herb shopping spree and got us a slew of new herbs and plants for medicinal use and a few off the wall edibles that should do well here.

seeds of the month

My year of Seeds Of The Month has ended. Yes, I am an adult but everyone loves to have a package delivered and for a gardener, seeds are the ultimate gift. I have really enjoyed the SOTM and not just opening the pack to see what is inside but actually growing the veggies and herbs. All seeds are non-gmo, open pollinated, heirloom varieties that have been tested for a germination rate of 90% and higher. Everything I have received has grown and produced well for me even though I have used many for experimental purposes and treated them harshly. The cost of the seed club is very economical and well worth it, especially if one is able to catch a web special. For those new to gardening or for children, it is an excellent way to pique interest and give a gift that will give forever more. Overall, the seed club is very well worth the money and offers quite a nice variety of seed.

Of course, any program has its faults and here are the few that I found. Some of the seed packs did not contain enough seed for my liking, though it was only with a couple of seed types. The bantam corn, for example, only had 16 kernels in the pack hardly making it worth the effort and pollination became a concern. There was a little repetition in the types of seed sent over the course of the year. I do not mind this as seed saves quite well and can be used at another time but I would have liked to have seen a bit more variety in what was sent.

Overall, I was very happy with the SOTM and would recommend anyone interested in an economical and fun way to collect seed to join the club. Members receive 8 packs of seeds their first month and then 4 packs of non GMO seeds every month thereafter for as little as $0.06 per day. You can join at http://seedsclub.averagepersongardening.com/ or join them on facebook

broccoli babies

Today the broccoli babies went from their germination trays into cell packs and were kicked out to the GH to live in the fish tank until planting time. The tank can be covered with a plastic cover if it gets too cold for them, though after this winter it is doubtful they will need it. In addition to these little guys another 40 or so were planted into a GH bed and an outside bed with a makeshift ghetto GH over them on the cold nights. The plant markers are made from old window shades that I have been snipping sections off of when I need markers.