Garden 2011

It's that time of year!  I placed our seed order from Fedco this morning.  I buy through this company because they sell tons of heirloom seed varieties.  They also sell some hybrids, but they are clearly noted to be hybrids.  And all of the seeds--heirloom or hybrid--are non-GMOs (genetically modified).  Additionally, they send refunds out with your seed order if they're unable to fill a request, or you can request them to substitute with another variety.  My only problem with them is they're left-wing nuts.  Not kidding.  Examples from their catalogue:

Now we hear dire

forecasts from the Tea Party that President Obama’s

modest proposal to restore the rate to a whopping

38.5% from its present 35% will cripple the economy

even though it affects only our wealthiest 2%.

He ought to raise it to 60%!

Really folks, raise the top income bracket rate to 60%??

Anyway, If could find a better company with such competitive pricing, I'd jump ship.  As it is, they are the best.  Apparently even I can put up with the libs for awhile to satisfy my own needs, lol.  They have multiple divisions: Fedco Seeds, Fedco Trees (fruiting/nut trees and berries), Moose Tubers (potatoes, onion sets), Fedco Bulbs (bulbs including garlic), and Organic Growers Supplies (cover crops and supplies).  Fifty dollars later, I've got a good idea of how this year's garden will be shaping up. 

I ordered bush beans, pole beans, kidney beans, two varieties of corn, two varieties of shell peas, muskmelon (aka cantaloupe), two varieties of watermelon, cucumber, zucchini, acorn squash, two varieties of pumpkin, gourd mix, two varieties of carrots, two varieties of spinach, five types of lettuce including romaine, loose leaf, iceberg, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, pimiento peppers, anaheim peppers, four varieties of tomatoes, and two varieties of sunflower!!  I have navy beans I also intend to plant, as well as a third variety of watermelon.  I'm getting really, really excited.

We have a couple friends who own a huge lot adjoining the one their house sits on.  If we can get it all worked out, I'm planning on having a mini pumpkin patch complete with gourds, pie pumpkins, and jack-o-lantern pumpkins there.  Ever since my [childhood] pumpkin patch closed down, I've been completely unsatisfied with the others we've tried.  Figured I may as well bring it "in house."  I'll probably be planting most of my bigger vining crops and probably the corn crop on their land. 

Note: Alli and I are both growing a lot of vegetables and some fruit this year.  We'll be selling our surplus--mainly because we aren't yet skilled on "putting it up" for the winter.  First come, first serve basis, as crops mature.  Interested in something specific?  Leave a message, and I'll try to plant some extra.

As far as fruit goes, only the melons will be considered as surplus.  My family will for sure eat or freeze all the blueberries from my bushes, and we do know how to make jelly from the extra berries!  We're putting in an order for strawberries and raspberries and possibly some fruit trees tomorrow.  That's the last day to order for the year from Fedco Trees, so if you want to add your order to ours, let me know ASAP!  Shipping from Fedco Trees is $19, so the more people we divide it by, the less you'll have to pay.  Like I said, tomorrow is the last day to order from the Trees division, so hurry.  If you're wanting seeds, shipping is free over $30, and you can purchase seeds all the way through September 30. 

If you remember our butterflies from last year and want to try it yourself, buy Dill (Mammoth is the variety we use) seed soon.  It easily "goes to seed" (replants itself for next year) and will be a super duper special tradition for years to come.  Swallowtail butterflies, as caterpillars, love dill.  If you plant it, they will come and lay eggs.  I promise.  I'm going to have an entire post on it later including all the important details.  I'll even be selling "Butterfly Boxes" if you don't have a green thumb or don't have room for a garden.  It's simply a wonderful, easy project to do with kids!

Barkley Update: She's doing alright.  She threw up multiple times after the booster vaccine, but she seems like she's going to be okay.  She has had a hard time with vaccines before.

Beagle Update: Still vicious!  They fight sooo much!  I find myself yelling, "knock it off" a quite a few times through the day (per instructions from Mitch's sister).

Chicks Update: I need to take a pic!  They're really growing and feathering out.  I'm continuing to wean them to tolerate cooler temps by moving the brooder box light up.  Hopefully Mitch finishes the coop within the next few weeks as temperatures continue to warm up.