MrFothergills comes to the party again!
I received another package in the mail from MrFothergills, for which I am very grateful. I felt bad last year as it really was not such a good year, and I thought they might banish me from their mailing list! I think they must be gardeners though and realize that not every year is a year of bumper crops. Even my neighbours garden flunked last year! This year though, we are all geared up! I had already purchased quite a few seeds, and now I realise that my little garden is going to be stretched to its limits. Mmm I might have to expand... I have some ideas :)
This is the list of the seeds that I received:
Grasses: (I think these will be used in the public area near the pool.)
Blue fescue
Bunny tails
Green fountain
Snowy woodrush
Vegetables:
Early Californian red onion seed tape
Pak choy seed tape
Spinach tape
Broccoli tape
Flowers:
Calendula
Sweet peas
Dichondra
Pansy - mini
Little Gardeners Windowsill pots
Lemonade (lemon balm) - mine didn't make it through the wet season!
Mini Tomato
We are going away to Brisbane for the first week of March, and when we return it is going to be all about the garden. Traditionally April is when the weather starts to turn from the hot and humid days of the wet season to our more pleasant "winter". That is our growing season, and so the last few weeks of March will be soil building and preparation time. I have never done very well with starting off seeds in little pots and transplanting them, and so I really love the seed tape.
I am however going to try a different thing this time - I am going to grow tomatoes in polystyrene boxes. I tried potting mix last year and had mixed results - I think I might make my own mix with crusher dust (full of minerals) cocopeat and compost, and five in one mix which is a mix of manures and composts. Will my own homemade compost have the bacterial wilt in it if it comes from my soil?
On another note for Australian readers, there is a marvellous give away at mindfullygreen - have a look!
This is the list of the seeds that I received:
Grasses: (I think these will be used in the public area near the pool.)
Blue fescue
Bunny tails
Green fountain
Snowy woodrush
Vegetables:
Early Californian red onion seed tape
Pak choy seed tape
Spinach tape
Broccoli tape
Flowers:
Calendula
Sweet peas
Dichondra
Pansy - mini
Little Gardeners Windowsill pots
Lemonade (lemon balm) - mine didn't make it through the wet season!
Mini Tomato
We are going away to Brisbane for the first week of March, and when we return it is going to be all about the garden. Traditionally April is when the weather starts to turn from the hot and humid days of the wet season to our more pleasant "winter". That is our growing season, and so the last few weeks of March will be soil building and preparation time. I have never done very well with starting off seeds in little pots and transplanting them, and so I really love the seed tape.
I am however going to try a different thing this time - I am going to grow tomatoes in polystyrene boxes. I tried potting mix last year and had mixed results - I think I might make my own mix with crusher dust (full of minerals) cocopeat and compost, and five in one mix which is a mix of manures and composts. Will my own homemade compost have the bacterial wilt in it if it comes from my soil?
On another note for Australian readers, there is a marvellous give away at mindfullygreen - have a look!
Love the sound of your seeds Gill. Those Bunny Tails really are just as cute as the name implies.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your growing season.
Tracy,
DeleteI have been wondering about the grasses. I have never really grown grasses, but do like the look of them in other peoples gardens. Luckily I have the public area to play around with :)
What a wonderful selection of seeds, I am looking forward to seeing them grow in your garden. Good luck this year!
ReplyDeleteSeptember garden,
DeleteI am hoping for a good year this year...
I am looking forward to starting planting in my allotment about the same time as you, but as we approach spring. It's nice to think of you gardening round the other side of the world!
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
DeleteIt is rather strange that our growing season is really winter here. I bet you are collecting your seeds together too in anticipation!
Lucky you! Your surprise seed package is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI predict that this year will be a great planting and harvesting year for you.
Have fun!!!
Virginia,
DeleteThank you, yes I am having very positive thoughts about the garden this year.
Interesting that our planting seasons will coincide. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat is seed tape?
Kathryn,
DeleteThat seed tape is marvellous - the seeds are embedded at just the right intervals, so you just lay it on the ground and cover up with some fine soil. I have heard of people making their own with toilet paper and a little (natural, flour and water I think) glue as well.
Not a bad Valentines Day Present for your beau, Mr. Fothergill. Good luck with that bumper crop!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
DeleteOh how funny! but yes he seems to know the way to my heart!
oh gosh, it's almost time for gardens here as well...perhaps after the snow storm we're expecting tomorrow -smile-. A week trip to Brisbane sounds wonderful; God speed!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed looking at all your quotes! I think we are like minded souls! I could never live in a cold climate like yours though ... I think I now have tropical blood running through my veins!
DeleteYour garden choices sound wonderful! I'm looking forward to reading about your crops and flowers. I love sweet peas, but I'm told it's too hot for them to produce well in our area (SW Florida), but I'm thinking I should try them in the autumn.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes please, do come to tea so I can practice using that tea cart!
Lesa,
DeleteI keep trying sweet peas since they are quite my favourite flower. I did get some to grow once, but I figure if I can get snow peas to grow, then surely I can grow sweet peas... Always positive :)
I am regretting planting grasses in my London plot - they have spread madly.
ReplyDeleteAnnabelle -
Deleteall the the more reason to plant them out in the open where I want the area filled in with low maintenance plants. I hope you don't have a hard time removing them - their roots can go quite deep.
The grasses sound good for your communal area. I've never done the seed tape - but I'm the type to chuck seeds all over the place and hope for the best. Nice little surprise package for you.
ReplyDeleteVeggiegobbler,
Deletethat is exactly what I would be doing if someone hadn't given me the seed tape :)
Those seeds sound wonderful, I hope they do well for you :)
ReplyDeleteTania,
DeleteI really feel as though I lucked out somehow. I keep hoping they wont ever discover that I am not a "proper" gardener and things die, and don't produce, and the bugs sometimes take over....
I must get to ordering my seeds soon, too. I wish I had your enthusiasm for vegetables, I know nothing tastes better than homegrown but for some reason I just don't get around to tending a vegetable garden like I should. I start a few thousand flowers from seed every spring and I know how tricky it can be. So far I haven't had much trouble with wilt. Watering is the hard part for me; too much or too little, difficult to get it just right. I sure am looking forward to seeing your garden grow!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteYour flowers (and entire gardens) are spectacular - no wonder you don't bother about veggies. I can see a spinach border along your flower bed, and some broccoli plants scattered here and there though :)
Good luck with your seed planting. I had only limited success last year, but I remain optimistic.
ReplyDeleteMarisa,
DeleteI am so lucky to have these free seeds to play with. Last year was a bad year for a lot of people, that is why I am so excited that this year will be so much better.
Dearest Africanaussie,
ReplyDeleteWow, varieties of seeds and you will be busy. I DO hope they all grow well for you, my Australian friend. I used to have a flower bed but not now(^^;) Vegetables were not for me to grow, haha.
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Miyako,
DeleteI am also hoping for a bumper crop. Maybe we will entice you to start a few pots?
Interesting varieties you have there.
ReplyDelete