We know it's still winter (they're predicting snow in San Francisco!) but it's also time to start dreaming ahead to summer when those of us fortunate enough to have a bit of land to cultivate will be enjoying the bounty of a summer veg patch. Read on for some highlights from the 2011 seed catalogs.
First, a confession. I won't have that bit of earth to cultivate this year as I will be moving and in transition well into the summer. But I have enjoyed the winter ritual of seed catalog perusing in the past and I know very well its seductions. So this post is a more about my seed catalog lurk, as I will only be dreaming of the possibilities and not actually purchasing anything. But I vicariously wish for you, dear readers, much joy and bumper crops this summer!
Looking through Johnny's Selected Seeds, I would have been tempted to heat things up with Joe's Long Cayenne, an organic seed that grows 10"-long peppers and the Spicy Micro Mix. These Granadero tomatoes look promising and I'm always interested in Toscano Kale.
At Seeds Savers Exchange, check out the Bunte Forellenschluss lettuce, a bright green butterhead that splashed with maroon speckles or the Turkey Craw Bean good for snap bean or drying, said to have been found in a wild turkey's caw!
Over at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, they're especially excited about new tomatoes this year. Check out their Icicle Series from the former Soviet Union and Chocolate Stripes, a mahogany-colored slicer with bright red stripes.
Renee's Garden is featuring a new smaller cabbage called Pixie, a Wine County Mesclun Mix and Garden Ferns lettuce on their New Introductions page.
The Cook's Garden is featuring a lovely, pointed purple cabbage called Kalibos, a deep green, super sweet cherry tomato called Green Envy, and Orion, a compact fennel variety perfect for smaller places.
Related: Planning Your Vegetable Garden: The Seed Catalog Roundup
(Image: Seeds Savers Exchange)
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i just ordered my seeds for the spring. With Colorados short growing season you have to start some seeds indoors as early as march to get them going enough to get any crops before the early frosts.
Check out Park Seeds container vegetable section, they really have some outstanding varieties. Last year I did greens, carrots, tomatoes (full size and cherry), peppers, and even a cantaloupe all in large pots on my balcony.
http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/AS/category/Vegetables/uses/Containers
I have no land but my landlord lets me use the yard as long as I put all my plants in containers. So far it hasn't been a problem and I've grown broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, kohlrabi, chard, for example. I started my tomatoes and peppers but I'm keeping them inside for now. Strangely enough, it's been very cold in LA.
We are still hacking back the wilderness for my future garden spot (right now occupied by the remains of 12' tall sumac and other brambly things), so I'm totally ogling Seed Savers and grocery store seed packets, but I think things will have to wait a year unless I container garden. The risk of sumac breaking through just-installed raised beds is too great!