It is finally here! Today the stream water is running fast and the pond is clear. There is no ice blocking the way and salamanders are seen floating about, finding their strength. It is the first day that I can look out onto the land and see the possibilities in our landscape, outbuildings and gardens.
We have our seeds which we ordered primarily from Hudson Valley Seed Library, supplemented with some standards from Seed Savers Exchange. I am so excited to be buying from and supporting these two farms. Both strive to bring our food production back into the hands of the small farmers and home gardeners while preserving and maintaining food heritage and diversity. Hudson Valley Seed Library is especially great for us since they not only strive to create a sustainable seed community, but they also strive to create a local seed community by encouraging the growth of seed saving and highlighting seeds that are especially good to grow in NY.
In choosing our seeds, we started with our hardiness zone and what we eat most. From that we narrowed down the list to try and have an even harvest throughout the growing season, as opposed to having a huge spring crop and nothing in the fall. We chose 4-5 different crops for each harvest, spring, summer, and fall (including crops that have several harvests), in addition to some herbs and salad. We also chose crops that store well for a winter supply (like red onion, not good, vs. brown, store well). Finally, we also wanted to have some unique varieties that aren't in the common grocery store. And the winners are...
Hudson Valley Seed Library:
Membership Pack including Ancho Pepper, Ashworth Sweet Corn, Basil Sweet, Catskill Brussels Sprouts, Danvers Half-Long Carrot, Piracicaba Broccoli, Principe Borghese Tomato, Sunflower Ornamental Mix, Ultimate Salad Bowl, Waltham Butternut Squash.
Additionally, Black Valentine Bean, Bridge to Paris Pepper, Dino Kale, Goldie Tomato, and Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower
Seed Savers Exchange:
Rosemary, Green Culinary Sage, Spearmint, Thyme, Black Beauty Zucchini Squash, Australian Brown Onion, and Early Scarlet Globe Radish
Arriving in the fall, garlic- Lorz Italian(softneck, for braiding) and German Extra Hardy (hardneck, for scapes)
Now I have to sit down and start concocting a garden plan, and finally I have the inspiration of this invigorating spring day to start.
can you guess what this is?
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