Monday, February 27, 2012

Okay, I lied

I ordered more seeds and stuff this morning. But it's not my fault... really!!  Yesterday when my parents were here, they were lamenting the fact that they have not been able to find seeds for their favorite garden tomato (Delicious).  They knew they were running low last year and had planned to save some but the gardening year was so bad that almost all of their tomatoes were harvested too green to be good for seed saving.  They were amazed that they couldn't find the seeds in any local stores where they had found them in the past.  It's an heirloom variety that for some reason people locally aren't carrying.  So, I volunteered to order some for them because I have seen them in several catalogues that I've got.  So, in order to make the shipping costs worth it, I just HAD to order some additional stuff.  Right??  So I also got some kohlrabi seeds, a pack of sugar snap peas (Sugar Ann), and horehound (so I can make our own cough drops since I have directions for that!).  I ordered from Victory Heirloom Seeds.  I've never ordered from them before so I hope they work out.  But they were about the only place that had both the tomato seeds and the horehound- those were the two definite needs/wants.
I also succumbed to temptation and placed an order for little plants from Territorial.  I was won over by the promise of rosemary that is hardy in zone 5 with minimal protection (it's called Arp).  THAT would be wonderful!! And, of course, since shipping costs the same for 1 or three plants, I had to make the most of those costs... right??  So also arriving are an Orange Balsam Thyme and Italian Oregano.   We plan to plant the rosemary on the south side of the house where it will get more sun and be protected from the prevailing North/West winds in the winter.  I'm excited by that. And with the other herbs arriving and the herb seeds I've got, now I have more motivation to get my herb spiral constructed this spring.

The concert yesterday was lovely.  Long, but lovely. They put wonderful little biographies of all the graduating seniors in the program.  29 students from the music school will graduate and move on to bigger and better things this year.  They come from all over the area and represent probably 7 or 8 different high schools.

I've spied our resident yellow cat on several occasions recently.  He/she is definitely feral based on how quickly he ran away when I was seen. I do hope that it's a he- we don't need wild kittens running around.  I was joking around last night that we should name him Will.  So... Will Feral it is!  I spotted him on Saturday afternoon hunting near the barn.  He ran to hide under the brush pile when I went out that direction.

This afternoon, we will venture to Kalona to go to the Stringtown Grocery and the cheese factory.  Stringtown is the Amish bulk food store that I love.  On Saturday I made 'clean out the pantry' granola bars to use little bits of goodies (nuts, seeds and dried fruit) that we now need to replenish.  I'll give you a report of our adventures later.

16 comments:

  1. I like the name Will Farel. It sounds cowboyish or farmish. Lets hope Will is Will and not Willamena. I kinda figured you'd have to eat your words on the seeds. I know I would. Especially when the packaging is so bright and pretty....how in the world can any one resist!!!...debbie

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  2. Please share your horehound cough drop recipe some day!!

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    1. The recipe is in the latest (March 2012) issue of The Herb Companion. It was one of the things that inspired me to order some horehound seeds. I'm curious to try it.

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  3. Will Feral! Riot! I hope, for your sake, it's a Will and not a Willa. I, too, would love the horehound cough drop recipe. I just don't think it is humanly possible to order ONE plant or ONE packet of seeds. It's just not. The concert sounded lovely - how nice that they give you information on those students who are playing their swan songs (so to speak). Waiting for your report....

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    1. I, too sincerely hope it's a Will.
      And, you're right- shipping costs alone would make ordering a single pack of seeds ridiculous. I can buy one pack of seeds at the store- no problem- but it's silly to spend more on shipping than you spend on your seeds.

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  4. Well, I can think of a lot worse things to be addicted to than garden seeds and plants! Has anybody else noticed that seeds took a real jump in cost this year? (Heck though, what HASN'T taken a drastic jump in cost lately? In actuality, it's our dollar that is worth so much less. :o( )

    Please keep us updated all summer on your herb garden. That's something I really need to learn more about.

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    1. I've noticed that some seeds have gone up and others not. Who knows. But I do know that many, many more people are gardening so it's supply and demand...

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  5. Will Feral... I LOVE it! I don't know how involved you want to get in the feral cat business, but you might want to check and see if there's a TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) program in your area. It's an easy and humane way to avoid being overrun with homeless kittens.

    I have never actually ordered seeds or plants from a catalog... I've been gardening for almost 20 years now, and I just can't seem to get that organized. But rosemary capable of surviving zone 5? That may be enough to shake me out of my complacency!

    Your kids' music concert sounds wonderful... brings me right back to my Suzuki days. I still get together with my best violin playing buddy from high school now and then... we do terrible things to the Bach double violin concerto. I feel so sorry for that poor man, forever rolling over, and over and over in his grave...

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    1. I'll have to check out the TNR. I'm not sure if our local animal shelter does that or not.
      I'll keep you posted on the hardy rosemary. I'll be the guinea pig and let you know how it does. If it works I'll be so PUMPED!!
      And yes, it is a Suzuki music school. Justine has been taking lessons there for 13 years. Hard to believe that she's done.

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  6. You can ever have too many seeds!!!

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    1. LOL! That may be debatable. Ask my husband!!

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  7. Will Feral.... ROFL!!!! That's too funny :) I just knew you weren't done yet with that seed ordering business!

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    1. yeah- I'm a seedaholic.
      I was rather pleased with the Will Feral name.

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  8. Wow, would love hardy rosemary. I'll watch to see how successful it is!

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    1. I'll definitely keep you posted on how the rosemary works out. I'm pretty excited by the possibilities.

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Glad you stopped in. I would love to hear from you.