Winter Ruminations

I have a confession to make. I do not like winter because of the cross country skiing, although I do like to ski. I like winter because it is a much needed break from garden chores. No more tomatoes to pick, no more herbs to dry. What is always so hopeful in April is sheer exhaustion by October. Good intentions never pan out quite the way I hope. Hence I am writing this blog. Perhaps by keeping track here I can force better habits next fall.

Chores aside, looking at catalogs, which I begin in earnest when February comes along, is never a chore. What garden catalogs are is a feast of plenty. Just a kid in the candy store, that’s me. Two years ago I ordered seeds with a friend in hopes of cutting down on the cost. I proceeded to spend more money on seeds than I ever had before!

So how will I be more disciplined? By keeping track of what I already have and don’t need. I have plenty of Basil seeds so I don’t need to buy those. Last year I tried a variety called Serrata which did absolutely fabulous for me. I am still eating pesto I froze in October since I had so much basil to use.

I am out of Juliet tomato seeds so I do need to buy those. I have been planting them for several years now because I can always have a nice little snack when I am out working in the garden in August.

I can buy seeds from Pinetree Garden Seeds which sells seeds in smaller quantities. I can get seeds from the Seed Savers Exchange if I want a large selection of heirlooms to chose from. I will simply enjoy looking at some of the catalogs—Abundant Life, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Seeds of Change, Cook’s Garden, Forest Farm.

So now is the time to sit back and relax, look at those catalogs, make a list of what I might like to try, decide if there is anywhere to put it, and then sigh and say perhaps next year. This year there is no room in the garden for that. Discipline I tell myself, discipline yourself. Not an easy thing to do when I am in the midst of plant lust. The seed catalogs do it to me every time!