First time WS II

I thought the first time WS thread was getting a little long so....We came from here: HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com

I've updated my efforts on another section of Dave's and wanted to keep you all in on the latest here in my little queendom.

Gathering 2L soda bottles and labeling supplies. DH has switched over to frozen concentrate orange juice from fresh orange juice as an economizing measure. I switched from my one soda a day in the single serve bottle to 2L. Saving all those bottles and a friend is saving his. I'm still combing through back posts here and on other sites for any info I may have missed. I think I'm at the "lets jump into this pool" stage of my WS adventure.

I just got a bunch of seeds from the fall sale at Select Seeds: hollyhock, Italian alkanet, ferverfew, standing cypress, bronze fennel, prairie glow, branched coneflower, cleome, old Mexico zinnia, calendula, hyacinth bean, tassel flower, cornflower, morning glory (heavenly blue--my favorite), nicotiana, blue lace flower, custard & cream four o'clock, sunflower, coreopsis, gold star bidens, salvias, dayflower, and some petunias. I have some hold over seeds from last year and will probably buy a few packets of some nepeta seeds when I find a variety I want. I have a lot of beds to fill in and it sure will be a savings if all these seeds grow into what I want!

I'm sorting through what I have and deciding what to start over Christmas break and what to start a little closer to spring. I understand the veggies are started closer to spring so I'm saving those for later. I've got a lot of hold over tomatos :). I'm nervous that WS won't work but excited that it just might!

Have I missed any "must haves" on my seed list?



This message was edited Dec 15, 2008 12:56 PM

Looks like you have a great list going! Now I feel motivated to get all my seeds organized to see what goes out first...too bad I must go to work, lol!

Last year was my first ws year, but I tried the tomatoes anyway. By March when I started them, I was beginning to feel quite brave since most other things were well on their way by then. They came up and transplanted easily into the garden. Funny thing is that my DH dumped a bunch of seeds that were rolling around in the bottom of the seed box into a leftover plastic lid from the cheese tray my mom had at Christmas. I think every tomato in there must've germinated plus whatever else was in there...We gave seedlings away like crazy. Also had great luck with leaf lettuces and some herbs...parsley in particular.

Must haves? Columbine did very well although it took a long time to germinate. Poppies.
Bev

I am right with you, LissaD! I got on here because I wanted to try WSing vegetables, the only thing I have ever grown. But now that I have spent a little time each day reading the thread and ogling all the beautifully WSed flower gardens, I am hooked! I started putting together a frame for a simple compost bin yesterday so I can try to generate some great compost so I can put in a big raised bed in the back for a "cottage" flower garden. I am so encouraged by the help and hope that I find on this thread - I would never be able to buy all these flowers as plants from a nursery and there is just no room in our little cottage for grow lights, so WSing seems like the perfect answer.

Now I just have to start a flower wish list... I think the first thing I will add will be that lovely Cappuccino Rudbeckia you posted, JoannaB!

Thanks for continuing the "Must Have" List. I don't want to miss anything!

-GB

Hi, I hope LissaD is with us, as she started our original thread and we'd hate to lose her by a new initiative!
Like GB, I'm really a vegetable gardener (hence the "handle"). However, here on DG, I have "fallen in" with a "bad crowd" that has inundated me with flower seeds, so I am going big with WS this year to try and use up all of that largesse! I will split my vegetable starts: 1/2 WS and 1/2 'traditional' under lights and compare!

You know, GB, I have "wild Rudbeckias" (maybe 'feral' is a better term, as they have self-seeded from a wildflower mix I scattered in my "prairie" 4 years ago) that look just like JoannaB's "Cappucino". If you don't find seeds for that, let me know, I'll save some next year. Normally, I never save seeds from the annual Rudbeckias because they self-seed so freely and easily. I find them popping up all over the place!

Here's what I have at the moment.

Well, good morning, everyone. Glad we've started a new thread and, yes, I hope LissaD makes it on over here and isn't offended by the new one.

We're being inundated by rain as I type and, of course, I didn't get my compost covered, so it'll probably cool down and take forever. Oh, well.

My puny little start at WS is well on its way and I'm hoping these warm temps we're having won't make things germinate faster than they should. I did save some of the seeds so I can start again if necessary.

Good photo of yours, Jim. How I am wishing for snow!

Angie

I'm here! I'm here! : ) I noticed it was getting a little long. So this will be better. Probably around 200-250 posts is long enough, so when we get there whoever can just start a new thread, and post at the bottom of the old one a link to the new one. That would be great!

You have been corrupted by the flower people! OH no! Just wait til all those beautiful flowers start blooming....... ahhhhh.

Those labelers look great. I may need to look into that. There was one for sale on Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving), a $50 one for like $20, but I didn't realize I needed one! Now I will have to see if there are any more good deals.

I'll probably have to buy a rototiller to open enuf new space to plant everything! Then I'll be even less PC/EC!!!

I think I saw Cappuccino Rudbeckia in my new Parks Seeds catalog. I'll have to check when I get home tonight. It definitely caught my eye!

Ooooo, I noticed parsley in my hold over box. Good to know that one WS's well!

Ohhhh that looks so cold! I want to see more gardens, anyone else? If you are an oldie who has wintersown before can we see pictures of your gardens?

Also, there are still a few seeds I am looking for, do you recommend any seed companies in particular? I mostly shop online, I don't recieve any catalogs yet. I need to sign up for a few.

Oldie.... hmmm some people might not like responding to that one....

Um, well, if you have been here longer than me (August) then I would love to see your gardens! ;)

In this collage you can see 2 varieties of "self-winter-sown" Rudbeckia" (not the one that looks like 'Cappucini', alas!) as well a other blooms in my garden this Summer.

Jim ---- collage???

Lissa, what kinds of seeds are you looking for? Last year I was happiest with Pinetree Gardens and Swallowtail Gardens seeds- will definitely order from them again.

terri, I think you'll love wintersowing! Your selections sound excellent. A friend of mine even snags containers from the local recycling center. Milk jugs and 2 litre bottles are my favorites.

Neal

GreenerBeener, If you are looking for flowerseeds, I have a lot. I would love to trade them for vegetable seeds.

LissaD, maybe you can find the seeds where you are looking for on my have list.

I think mon ami has attempted a collage made with a poor quality garden pen and it has faded away.

Too funny dahlia!

Good point, dahlia!
That's why we need friends ro help us get what we don't have!

Beautiful flowers, Jim! And you told us veggies were your specialty! Are these pre or post corruption by DG flower folks!?

Pre, actually!
Can you imagine what will come next?
I want a garden bed just like JoannaB's!!!

(BTW, can I ask terri_emory to edit the first post here to include a "We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/925646/" line so we can move back and forth between the threads for easy reference? That's a big help.)

JoannaB's garden is absolutely gorgeous! When I grow up, I wanna be like her!

I don't have a lot to trade yet, as most of my seeds were "seeds for postage" offers. It is a wonderful way to build up a little stash and I hope to be able to share more with people next year.

What I am still looking for:

Edible sweet pea
Cherry tomato vine
Small vining cucumber

Herbs for tea: mints, cinnamon basil, lemon verbena, orange bergamot, catnip, lemon grass, sage

Flowers:
Sunflowers - all shapes and sizes
Delphinium/ Larkspur
Columbines

Jonna, I will take a look at your seeds, I didn't realize you sell them! Cool. Is that black and white Delphinium like a Percival?

Lissa, I think it is a Percival, but I'm not 100% sure. It was sold to me as D. White and Black.
I prefer trading, but if people have nothing to trade I sell them. Also have a look on my have list, there is more on it then on my selling list. I have 2 kinds of columbines and a few Delphiniums.

Jim, marvy flowers! Please identify them for me, especially the pink and white one that looks like baptisia, the roses and the dahlia. They are charming all of them. You'll need to stock up on seeds if all of yours look this good, because I, for one, will want to exchange lots with you. I know what I already owe you next year.

LissaD: I have some commercial delphinium seeds that I will be glad to send you.

Angie

Are there edible sweet peas? I never knew that!
What colour/flavour of cherry tomato do you want? (You know, they don't 'vine' anymore than a 'normal' tomato!?!?)
Few cucumbers "vine" small. There are some so-called "bush" varieties, but I have never been happy with them. Others may have different experience/opinions. Do you want "small cucumbers" ... like 'gherkins"? I don't have those, but may have some others that you would like. Lemon cucumbers, for example, produce a lot of fruit in very little space and are almost never bitter.

JoannaB, I only have one little packet of Tom Thumb butterhead lettuce right now in my entire collection, otherwise I would have loved to trade with you! Maybe a little later (since Veggies don't go out until late winter it seems is the general consensus) I'll have some veggie seeds I can send your way.

Terri, I DID find those Cappuccino Rudbeckia online at Parks! I am going to try to use DD's nap times over the next few days to look up what flowers are people's favorites and try to decide what I want and then put in my order this weekend. I would be happy to trade around those Cap. Rud. once I get them in the mail!

I'll post a list of what I'm ordering in case anyone wants to go in on a seed packet with me.

-GB

Edited to include link to Park Seeds Cappuccino Rudbeckia seeds http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=51650&PrevMainPage=textsearchresults&scChannel=Text%20Search&SearchText=rudbeckia&OfferCode=W1H

This message was edited Dec 11, 2008 11:29 AM

Angie,
Top row, left to right: My Gramma's orange daylily; NOID dahlia (I lost the tag!); NOID Rudbeckia from wildflower mix
Middle row, left to right: 'Minaret' Lupine (I think I have seed from this, but probably crossed with the other 'Minarets' and the 'Russels'); another NOID Rudbeckia from the same mix; 'Grace' English Rose
Bottom row, left to right: 'Jubilee Celebration' English Rose; 'Sunshine Dahlia' (I have lots of seed from this, but am still testing to see if it is really viable); Heuchera Brizoides 'Pluie de Feu'

Wonderful, Jim. Save some of those seeds for me, please, of everything you posted!

Angie

Jim you probably know much more than I about veggies! I am just getting started.

As for the edible sweet pea, I think I am refferring more to an edible snap pea or snow pea. One of the sweet varieties like for eating peas straight out of the pod or using the young early pods in stir frys.

For the tomatoes I was looking at Sweet 100's or Sweet Millions which I guess instead of vining would be correctly labeled indeteminate? Meaning they continue to grow longer and keep producing even after setting fruit. (I am still learning this stuff) I just know I had a friend that grew a cherry tomato like this in AZ and because of the long growing season there his grew up the side of his stone fireplace to the very top of his 2 story house.... now THAT's a tomato vine! ;) My hope is to provide the whole county with cherry tomatoes so that no one has to pay $4 a box for cherry tomatoes.

I would probably be happy with any cucumbers. LOL. I like them in salads. Again a different friend of mine had one that grew on a fence and she would pick little 4-5 in cucumbers all the time and they were so yummy.

Hem I will d-mail you, and Jonna I will take another look at your lists and D-mail you.

I hope to do a bunch of daylilies this year, as I have received seed from several DGers and am meant to get some special seed from one who hybridizes!!! The dahlias will cross, but could be fun. Roses? Don't think I would grow them from seed, but others may differ. The Lupines will mix, but they are always among my favorites! My Heuchera prbably crosses with all the other species I have in the garden, but there are few of these I cannot love! The Rudbeckias are unquenchable. I can guarantee lots of seed next year!!!

GreenerBeaner, I don't mind to send you flowerseeds now. A lot of them need a cold period. Winter sowing will do them good. You can send me vegetable seeds when you have, next year or so.

GreenerBeaner wrote:
JoannaB, I only have one little packet of Tom Thumb butterhead lettuce right now in my entire collection, otherwise I would have loved to trade with you! Maybe a little later (since Veggies don't go out until late winter it seems is the general consensus) I'll have some veggie seeds I can send your way.

I don't think it was me that asked for the lettuce seeds. Perhaps it was Dahlianut, who is also from Calgary? I zipped thru the new thread at lunch today, and thanks Leslie for the good chuckle on the collage that faded away.

Also, everyone thanks for the nice comments on the pictures that I had posted. Every year the obsession grows, the seed orders get bigger, and more grass gets ripped out. My weakness: Roses & Petunias.

It really is fun, isn't it. Most of my favorite catalogs have arrive and I've got a ridiculous wish list. I am so excited....it's almost time to start ordering the seeds. I have now started collecting the milk jugs, but don't plan to do as many as last year...so I say now.

A few of you seem interested in the Cappuccino Rudbecki. Excellent ws choice and on my ws list for 2009. Check out www.veseys.com for other types. Some nice double versions as well.







This message was edited Dec 11, 2008 6:11 PM

joanna - veseys.com doesn't offer the rudbeckias to the US. :-( We will have to get ours local. The Canadian side of their site has a lot more flowers. Must have something to do with customs?

If you like the gloriosa daisy type rudbeckia, you can't beat the deal at cheepseeds.com-
7,000 seeds for $3.
http://www.cheapseeds.com/7700-Gloriosa-daisy-seeds-p-1008.html

That's a good site for anyone just getting their feet wet in the seed trading frenzy. You can get huge amounts of seeds for a few dollars. They're mostly common types, and not the widest selection, but plenty of nice basic seeds. 10 % discount offer on main page and free shipping. Hard to beat.

Karen

Wowzer, who needs that many seeds! But.... I know I am just starting out and there are a few things there I would get right off the bat. It seems like it would work well to maybe go in on a few things as a group and then divide them out? hmmmmm............................

Sorry JoannaB, that message was meant for JonnaS, our dear Belgian friend. Sorry for the confusion!

-GB

I can post a few photos. I have winter sowed for four years. Some of these photos were posted on other sites. They may look familiar.

Tennessee coneflower and liatris. Both perennials. The coneflower bloomed second year and the liatris bloomed the third year.


Don (DEMinPA)

Another photo. Rudbeckia hirta and black-eyed Susan with tall bellflowers.

Don (DEMinPA)

Windsor Castle malva. All the malvas winter sow well. Zebrina and Mystic Merlin.

Don (DEMinPA)

Dwarf Red Coreopsis. An annual.

Don (DEMinPA)

Poppies winter sow easy. They have to be planted into the garden before they get too big. They don't like to be transplanted.

Don (DEMinPA)