By John Green, Certified Texas Expert Gardner, Orange County TX
The Thanksgiving holiday is now a memory, and admittedly uneventful, exactly as I’d hoped it would be. This year the holiday was enjoyable and relaxing…a stress-free environment, devoid of family drama…well except for one phone call (made certain the call was short) but such is life! Our weather pattern has finally turned (if not for but a moment) to provide us with cooler temperatures which are refreshing, especially crisp morning air that certainly adds to the holiday aesthetic while out shopping (not a personal practice…unless forced into it).
For gardeners that enjoy cooler weather, your gift has arrived in time for the holiday season. As I’m also enjoying the cooler temperatures but from a different perspective: air conditioning can finally be turned off, lawn mowing reduced (except to corral fallen leaves), and mosquito populations will hopefully diminish! Amazingly, the day after Thanksgiving I found myself mowing the yard since Turfgrass continued growing due to our warm weather.
For most of us the holidays are harried, stress-laden days as we search for the ‘perfect’ Christmas gift, arrange travel plans (this year our turn, 12-hour drive, three dogs…great), menu planning, food prep plans (for efficient oven use), and so much shopping, shopping, and more shopping! Several years ago, it was my resolution to simplify the holiday burden by decreasing stress both realized and perceived. It is my recommendation to make time for yourself…no explanation needed (to anyone…ever), place yourself first for a change, for your peace of mind. Pamper yourself, you deserve it!
So, my point is this, no matter how busy life becomes… pump the brakes and STOP, take a day and use it as a reset by relaxing. Typically, my ‘reset’ days are dreary, rainy, cold days…my personal favorites. The television is switched off, replaced with enjoyable music, a marker is located, as I nestle into the most comfortable spot (chair) in my home. My ‘reset’ when it’s time for a much-needed distraction is by reading. Grab the ever-increasing stack of garden and seed catalogues which are stockpiled over the past several weeks (a gardener’s rite of passage…it’s what we do). Soon you feel relaxed, stress-free, with your mind wandering, planning, dreaming of spring flowers and vegetable gardens.
Seed catalogues are filled with useful, detailed information to allow gardeners to quickly review multitudes of new gardening products, vegetables, and flowering plants. Garden and Seed catalogues provide us the opportunity to learn about new plant varieties available and determine which are a good match for our gardens without “mind numbing” internet searches which often return too many search results to be useful or effective with some results that are questionable.
Perhaps you are searching for open-pollinated varieties of heirloom seed or hybridized seed which are more robust? Many gardeners receive seed catalogues (October through January). There are many reputable seed companies providing us with a plethora of seed varieties to choose from such as: Seeds ‘N Such, Totally Tomatoes, Jung Seeds & Plants, and Johnny’s Selected Seeds, to name but a few providers where I have purchased seeds.
Two of my favorite seed catalogues are distributed by the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed company and they have a couple of seed catalogues which are eagerly anticipated yearly: one catalogue- the “Rare Seed” catalogue is a quick “go-to” easily utilized reference. This gardeners’ hands-down, yearly favorite gardening catalogue “The Whole Seed” catalogue is known as the “world’s largest seed catalogue” and contains more than 500 beautifully illustrated, detailed, and informative pages. This catalogue is a limited-print edition and requires purchase (approximately $15-don’t shoot the messenger). The Willhite Seed Company (is a Texas-based seed company) which I’ve used for many years and provides excellent seed products though their offering is limited.
There are many other excellent seed catalogues, so please don’t think I endorse one catalogue over another. This isn’t the case, this gardening enthusiast is simply stating if you have never experienced the pleasure of reading “The Whole Seed Catalogue” from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, cover to cover, locate or borrow a copy. Ask fellow gardeners, friends or neighbors who have one, you will not be disappointed and what a fantastic resource it is!
The Farmer’s Almanac states the last frost date for our area is March 10th. We know weather patterns are drifting and becoming less predictable, meaning end of February to end of March is the window or opportunity for the last frost. My choice is to get an early start for spring planting, meaning gardeners start seeds indoors, use a cold frame, or a greenhouse. Germinating seeds to start plants is economical as plants are more expensive to purchase. The sooner the better-having seeds on hand now will provide ample time necessary to grow seedlings and make them ready for transplanting. If new to gardening or have never germinated seeds before, you will also find information in seed catalogues useful for starting seeds, so when outdoor temperature begins warming and stabilizing, on when to plant seedlings or direct sow in the garden.
Until next time fellow gardeners, let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener and more sustainable world, one seed catalogue at a time! Please send your gardening questions to: jongreene57@gmail.com
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