Get Your Seeds Now

Later I will post some of my favorite sites and suppliers for seeds, but for now I want to share where I sell my seeds if you have nothing to trade for them. (Also if you are tired of trying to win my giveaways!)


http://ShannonG.Etsy.com

This is my etsy store where I sell my extra saved seeds. I have flowers and veggies... and cuttings are also available!

Win 3 Packs Of Rare Basil!

Its time for another giveaway. This time we've been kindly donated 3 packets of rare basil seed by www.RamonasBasilGarden.com that you can win! Go check out the TONS of basil information her site is packed with, join their forums and ask questions.

Now for the contest!!! Simply come sign up on our contest page, hosted by ContestMachine.com. This is a secure site and your information will be kept private. I will by the only one who can contact you and I wouldn't unless you were our winner!

Contest starts today, and end Feb 28th at 11:30am EST.

Some please feel free to sign up here:
http://contestmachine.com/hosted/promotion/E25XD4UZ0J

One email address per entry!   

 

Changing Up Our Layout

I've been so busy learning about gardening, baking and of course raising my family (including the pets and chickens) that I didn't have to time to mess with the 'appearance' of my blog. I figured it was hard enough finding time to update with all this useful information I had, and sharing pictures... who cared I used a blogspot theme rather then something unique.

Well, I thought about it... and I am unique! My garden is different to say the least, and my ways I go about things are special. I think everyone who visits my blog is special too! So, it is about time my blog was of a higher viewing standard... it was about time to change it up to be 1 in a million!

As you can see I've started the changes I want implemented. So would you all be so kind as to post your Likes, Dis-likes, Ideas, praises and other-wise!? I would truly appreciate it while I think on what to do next.

P.s.- The next giveaway will start on Friday for a SET (3 packets) of rare-unusual Basil seed. So don't miss out on this one!

Seed Starting

I am starting my regular early planting for the spring. This is the time of year that for Zone 7b I begin many plants such as Peppers, Tomatoes, Marigolds, Leeks and 4 O'clocks. This promises me a longer growing season and an earlier bloom then direct sowing. Though, for many plants, direct sowing is the best bet (root veggies, cool season veggies like lettuce, poppies and larkspur do better for me directly sown into my beds.).

So there are several things I did this year that work the best for me I want to share. Part of which are available in my latest Bakespace.com/news garden article.

http://bakespace.com/news/2010/02/sowing-your-seeds/

 

"Sowing Your Seeds

Gardening — By Shannon on February 11, 2010 at 12:30 pm
If you’ve already selected seeds for your spring garden, you may be wondering what to do next.
The first step is to read the package carefully, since it will note if the seeds are best for direct sowing or starting indoors. more... "

Now, there are lots of comments, articles and research available on peat moss... which I mention in my article. This has been the most common choice for a long time, it is the MAIN item available in nurseries and home improvement stores. Peat moss is depleting along with the bog / wetlands where it is harvested. With that said, you should read up on it and decide on a different route for your seed starting options. Here's a little more on the depletion of peat moss.Article - "Gather No Moss?"

Now on where to start them!

I use SEVERAL methods for mine. Here's 1. I have window sills that face south and near heat vents. I have to water often, but it keeps them warm and the sun is enough to keep them going until spring. I also use a heating pad to get those tricky seeds to germinate. Like Beans and Peppers like the soil about 70-80 degrees to germinate. I remove the heating pad after the sprout.

Option 2, in my bathroom I keep a rack with a 100 watt light about 12"-18" away from my started seedlings. These seedlings germinated without light to start, then I keep the light on for a 'day' cycle. So it goes on when I get up, and off when I go to bed. I'm trying to simulate natural light for when I move the plants outside.

Option 3, we created a mini greenhouse/cold frame where I move all the seeds in peat pots right out to. I water every couple of days, and on cold days or nights I fill a milk jug with hot water and put it inside for extra warmth.

Option 3 takes the longest to germinate... but I don't have to prepare these seedlings for transplant as much as I have to do with my other seedling starts from in the house.

I hope these options are helpful!

But today I planted one of my favorite additions to my garden, French Marigolds. These are 1/2 in the house, and 1/2 in the greenhouse. These are one of my favorite choices to use for companion planting. They help keep several bugs out of your garden... such as white fly. They help with tomato hornworm I was told as well, I planted them with my tomatoes (and Basil) and was pleasantly surprised I was hornworm free last year.

 

Fair warning though, don't plant these guys next to Beans in your garden... 

Congrats to Catalina

Catalina was our recent winner of the foxglove giveaway on our blog. She's received an email already, and we'll be sending the seeds soon!

This isn't the end of our giveaway though! NOPE... we got MORE!

We've had a wonderful donation made to us from LoveYourBasil of some rare basil seeds. These will be our next giveaway. We'll supply more information when we start the next giveaway. Don't miss out...

For more information on LoveYourBasil visit: http://ramonasbasilgarden.com/

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Now I'm not much of a bird person. I put out a feeder this year, and other then my chickens... I couldn't tell you what half of them are called! I just think they are pretty. I did find this site for the weekend, and I may join in since my daughter and I like to watch them at the feeder. Counting I can do!

 

http://www.birdcount.org

Read up on the site and see what you need to do to join in.

Time for another contest! Lavender Foxglove

Sign up now for this new contest. We are now using Contest Machine to host our promotions and giveaways. They will chose the winner at random from now on. So please use the link to sign up. This option was chosen because it keeps your information private so only I can see who signs up and the email addresses for the winner to be contacted. I know you enjoy your privacy :)

http://www.contestmachine.com/hosted/promotion/2WA4VER47K

The Importance of Winter to My Garden...

...starts with having nothing more to do then plan for this spring! Part of the planning is ORGANIZATION! I may have a pretty little well used garden, but everything else gets disorganized because of it. (You don't want to see my storage area outside... bad!)

So I have started with my seed box. Yes... I keep my seeds in a fabric box I store in a cool place.

 

Before box!!!!

 

After Box

So, take this time to get organized. Layout a well thought out plant for your garden, but knowing what you have available to you. This little project has shown me that I didn't need half the seed I wanted to order in the first place. Probably saved me a good $20!

 It also made me realize... I need to do another GIVEAWAY!!!