Seedlings

Here's a snapshot of the Johnny's Seed Disks that we planted a few weeks ago.  The sweet marjoram didn't do much, but the rest looks like it's coming along.  I'm not sure what happened with the marigolds - may have to replant. 

The seedlings in the trays in front are a few varieties of cosmos, two varieties of zinnias, a packet of morning glory and a packet of sunflowers.  Here's a close up of the cosmos:




 It's nice to see something green growing since you'll notice the view out the window is still snowy and depressing!
 

2011 Seed Order

With the help of Dave's Garden's Garden Watchdog, I discovered Johnny's Selected Seeds, Dave's Garden's highest ranked vegetable seed company.  I like that this company has organic selections of the seeds I needed, from plants that were not treated with fertilizers or pesticides.  And they had a wider variety of vegetables than I have found on other sites, including more varieties listed on the University of Minnesota Extension site for suggested vegetable varieties for our northern climate.

So here's what was in my cart:

Jade Green Beans (a very hearty producer for me last year)
Sugar Ann Snap Peas
Red Ace Beets
Northern Pickling Cucumbers
Marketmore Slicing Cucumbers
Candy onions (mild sweet storage onions)

Johnny's seed website also had a handy seed starting calculator which enables you to type in your spring frost free date to calculate a timeline for starting seeds indoors, if you are so inclined.  I truthfully haven't had much luck with starting seeds - if it's something that can't be directly sown, then I'll find it in the greenhouse.  Though I wonder, for those who do start seeds indoors (tomatoes, broccoli, and peppers are the plants I usually purchase), am I missing out?  Should I be thinking of purchasing grow lights and all of the seed starting supplies necessary?  Would I get great satisfaction from it?  Would I save money in the long run?  My opinion could be swayed with the right answers to these questions.