I see little shoots of green between the lingering islands of snow melt. I see damp soil longing to be turned. I see sweet blue skies dotted with puffy clouds. I see….spring. It’s not here yet, but it’s so close I can smell its rains, feel its fresh breeze, taste its first sugar snap pea.
I fondle my seed stash with rising anticipation. I’ve already gotten out my garden hat, a straw and dried flowers concoction that inspires derision from the children. It makes me feel very romantic and Victorian while I’m getting dirty. I love my garden hat. If you don’t have a beautiful garden hat, go get one.
Just like last year, we got our seeds for free–about 50 packets. Faye, who works at the little store, kept the leftovers from last year’s supply in a freezer. They can’t sell last year’s seeds–but last year’s seeds will grow. Our garden using seeds overwintered from the year before did fine!
Carrots and radishes.
Turnips and bell peppers.
Pumpkins and watermelon.
Okra and eggplant.
Several kinds of corn.
And a bag of peas.
More: green beans, spinach, green onions, squash, zucchini, lettuce, cauliflower, cucumbers, swiss chard, dill, cabbage, basil, parsley, and tomatoes. I LOVE JUST SAYING THE WORDS. Food is so wonderful and you can make it. There will be other herbs (many more herbs!) and vegetables I’ll want to put in, some things that are missing here or just specific varieties, but this makes a huge start. And you can’t beat free.
Wait a minute.
What’s wrong with that picture?
What are cookies doing in my seed stash?
I’m not planting cookies, Clover!
Rose H says:
Beautifully put Suzanne. The thought of Spring just around the corner makes your heart a little lighter. It’s a shame cookies don’t grow though!
On March 11, 2010 at 3:40 am
Tracey In Paradise,Pa. says:
:pinkbunny: :pinkbunny: :pinkbunny: :pinkbunny: :pinkbunny: OH SPRING!! I started my seeds lastweek in a greenhouse in my lving room. I have the fever and am ready to dig in the dirt. I would be willing to try and plant some cookies for Clover!! :pinkbunny: :pinkbunny: :pinkbunny: :pinkbunny:
Hugs Granny Trace
On March 11, 2010 at 4:57 am
kerri says:
Don’t those seed packets look enticing? I’ll be starting some seeds today. This spring-like weather makes the spirit soar, doesn’t it? We’ll be digging in the dirt soon! :sun:
Maybe Clover thinks cookies grow on trees 😆
On March 11, 2010 at 5:54 am
Leah says:
I love your garden hat! You sure have a good variety of seeds to plant.It’s already raining here today. I have crocus blooming and daffodil stems coming up already,yeah!
On March 11, 2010 at 6:50 am
Johanna says:
I have my seeds all organized, too! And they’re all from last year (but I had to buy mine!). And lots of flowers this year — my zinnias make me so happy, I’m adding all kinds of other flowers. But right now the veggie beds are under an inch of water, and it’s going to rain, so it will be a while…
On March 11, 2010 at 6:55 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
I’ve started a flat with tomatoes, basil, parsley, catnip, and had room for some flower seeds. Would you believe the flower seeds sprouted and are about an inch high? I’m concerned they will be full grown before I get them outside to replant! Spring is almost here! Yeah!!!! I saw and heard flocks of geese flying overhead in their “V” formations. It’s the call of the wild…time to stalk the perfect location for my planters and raised beds.
On March 11, 2010 at 6:55 am
ssuther27 says:
Free is good. Our veggies plants are basking in the glow of grow lights waiting for the greenhouse to heat up a bit more at night and then out they go, ever closer to the garden.
On March 11, 2010 at 7:26 am
CindyP says:
I am soooo excited to play in the dirt. It’s been an ongoing process of the TP rolls — I make them up as the roll is empty and just put in a plastic grocery bag and hang on the wall in the backroom. The livingroom is getting reorganized this weekend so I have room in front of the big windows for light. It’s time to get the beds on paper and start planning the planting. I’m SOOOO excited!!
I got my newest issue of Women’s Lifestyle. In there is the Food Trends for 2010. #1 Keeping it Real — shift fro convenience foods to scratch cooking. #6 Mainstreaming Sustainability — a year ago, people had a hard saying the word, now they’re living it.
I thought of you, Suzanne, and all you do and what you share with us for us to be a large part of #1 and #6 when I read this list. :heart:
On March 11, 2010 at 7:50 am
Phyllis Ryan says:
On March 3 I planted heirloom tomato seeds and they have all sprouted. I also hope that the weather gets more springlike before they are too big. This has been a horrible Winter and I long for the sweet smells of Spring.
On March 11, 2010 at 8:16 am
Townie Farm Girl says:
I am glad Clover got involved with the seed stash…I hadn’t seen her in the last few posts and missed her.
On March 11, 2010 at 8:23 am
Phyllis says:
oooohhh. So this is what all the talk about ‘GOING GREEN’ is really all about. lol
On March 11, 2010 at 8:51 am
Deborah R says:
I’m with Clover! I’ll be bringing some cookies out when I’m planting. Yeah, that’s it, they’re for planting. Just planting! 😀
On March 11, 2010 at 9:05 am
Chic says:
I have a garden hat too! I planted my seeds March 8th in my starter thingy on my craft table. Wish I hadn’t done that as now I have to wait till it all needs transplanting before I can do anything crafty! I have over 50 tomatos planted..if they all come up…and most of them are heirloom. I’m looking forward to canning this summer…haven’t canned in about 11 years! Sorry Clover..no cookie seeds this year…maybe next year. :hungry2: Maura
On March 11, 2010 at 9:07 am
Runningtrails says:
I love seeds too! I am always going through mine, planning.
I started indoor planting in Jan this year. I am too impatient to be a farmer. I planted tomatoes in Jan and they are so big now! I have supplementary lighting in the windowsill to use before and after dark. The tomatoes are not lanky or spindly at all this year! The extra lighting works! I have to keep planting them deeper, though, because they are getting tall too fast. I made a blog post about my tomatoes today.
I have so many things planted now. I have LOTS of flowers I want to plant this year from seed and I want them flowering when they go into the garden after June 1st, so they have to be started early indoors or in the greenhouse/coldframe. I have decided to try to plant one thing every day, that way, maybe, I will plant everything I have seed for this year instead of having a basket full of leftovers that didn’t get planted.
On March 11, 2010 at 9:13 am
Runningtrails says:
You can click on my name anytime to see the blog post. If you don’t see it right away that will be because I am writing it right now. 🙂
On March 11, 2010 at 9:24 am
joy says:
We had a few nice days but it’s back to 40’s this weekend. Spring in Arkansas is dicey so I have to be patient, very hard to do! Let us know where to buy those cookie seeds….
On March 11, 2010 at 9:28 am
Tea4too0 says:
I have started cucumbers and pole green beans. I have a huge sheet of clear plastic, so I am going to make my own mini green house. It has turned rainy and a bit coolish, so I am glad the seeds are inside for now.
PS I made the cream cheese the other day. Yum, thanks for the recipe. Oh and I found out how to make the starter, it is so easy to do.
Thanks for another great start to the day.
T
On March 11, 2010 at 10:00 am
Kim Gibson says:
My current digs, a townhouse, has little room for a garden, so a few pots must do. I long for a little plot of warm damp earth and green shoots. And my, that goat has a one track mind! Give her a cookie!
On March 11, 2010 at 10:02 am
Julie says:
I have a garden hat (not as pretty as yours), but no garden. I’m living vicariously through you!
On March 11, 2010 at 10:50 am
Barbee' says:
What a beautiful, colorful post! Love the hat! I keep leftover seeds and usually there are plenty that sprout. There are too many for my use in a new viable packet, so it is OK if some do not grow; just means less thinning.
On March 11, 2010 at 11:31 am
Grace Reynolds says:
I love your garden hat! And, of course those underage humans wouldn’t appreciate it, but you are going to look so smart out there, and as all southern ladies know, you must keep your lovely skin lovely. :sun:
All these comments make me want to get started too…I did buy flowers yesterday for the front flower bed.
Grace in CA
On March 11, 2010 at 11:50 am
Corinne says:
We are finally seeing the long-awaited signs of spring here in Iowa too. There was an earthworm crawling across our drive this morning after the heavy rain! YAY! My garden is calling to me as well and my sheep look like they are going to explode at any moment!
On March 11, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Susan at Charm of the Carolines says:
What a lovely thought… a cookie bush! Make mine Thin Mints, please.
On March 11, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Nancy in Iowa says:
Corinne, a teeny tiny worm crawled into my apt. under the front door, and proceeded to back my cat into a corner! Emma wasn’t sure what to do with it – I told her its name was Spring….
Suzanne, you should have known Clover would figure out a way to get cookies. She probably got in the house – or coaxed the Crooked Little Hen to do it – while you were at the little store. One of them called and requested the cookies be added to your order…..
:snoopy:
On March 11, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Arlene says:
I have been planting all day!! Well in the cold frame that is! That Clover and her cookie seeds is cute as a button!
On March 11, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Conny says:
That Clover, she’s a sneaky one! She can hope, can’t she?
Instead of the usual ball cap, I think I’ll take to wearing a nice garden hat this season. Thanks much for the inspiration.
On March 11, 2010 at 3:19 pm
aint for city gals says:
lol on the cookies..that Clover…and no fondling he seeds!!
On March 11, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Estella says:
She was hoping!
On March 11, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Yvonne says:
Clover seems to be glowing. Me hopes she’s pregnant!
On March 11, 2010 at 6:51 pm
ElizaRed says:
Mom always had old wash pans full of veggies growing in every window of the house (or it seemed) and in the hotbed until time for frost to pass.
The cookie seeds remind me of my putting up, many years ago, in my 3rd grade classroom, a bag of round shaped cereal with a sign “Donut Seeds.” The little kids weren’t quite sure what to think!!
On March 11, 2010 at 10:07 pm
sandy says:
aHH love this post. All those veggies, and that cute goat.
On March 21, 2010 at 1:35 am