[vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”nivo” interval=”3″ images=”5594,5593″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Brad & Susan Emery
Happy New Year to all our readers. Being in a lockdown is never a good start to the new year. The weather is wonky, the geese are flying in circles, and we have a pool instead of an ice rink. However, what a great time to start planning a garden!
What you need to know is that by May 14, our area should be frost-free and most gardeners in our zone will start planting outdoors after the long weekend in May. But there’s a lot to do before then, especially for the gardener who likes to start things from seed.
Now, is a great time to relax in front of the fire with your favourite seed catalogues. But before you start that order it’s a good time to discuss what worked and what didn’t last season, what crops/plants to rotate, and most importantly, what seeds you need to order. Since we are seed savers and starters, we’re starting to go through all the seeds we have collected and are preparing them for planting. We are also noting the seeds we need to order.
Then we’ll start to look at our favourite catalogues which are Stokes, Veseys, Richters, Matchbox, and Urban Harvest. However, there are plenty more seed companies out there and these are simply the ones we’ve had positive experiences with. The larger companies such as Richters, Veseys, and Stokes offer some seed selections in bulk but the smaller ones such as Matchbox and Urban Harvest offer some unique heirloom selections and they are untreated seeds.
We love this time, browsing through the catalogues and dreaming about the summer season. We can hardly wait for the seed orders to come in so we can get started! You too can enjoy the experience of growing a seed to maturity, harvesting and eating what your own hands grow. With this experience you can also teach the younger generation to find passion in gardening. Just get growing!
Thanks everyone for reading. If you have any questions, comments, or any subjects that you would like to be featured you can find us at EmerysHomestead on Facebook.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Dunn-ville Horticultural Society (DHS) has suspended member meetings. If you have questions or comments, please contact DHS President Deb Zynomirski at debzyn@gmail.com or check out
dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org.
Note that 2021 DHS memberships are currently available through mail. Send a cheque or money order ($10 single, $15 couple) to Dunnville Horticultural Society, P.O.Box 274, Dunnville, Ontario N1A 2X5.
Brad and Susan Emery are members of the Dunnville Horticultural Society.
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