I'm all caught up with holiday decorating, and catalogs keep coming in the mailbox. Well, hot cocoa and seed catalogs, what could be more fun for an avid gardener on a cold winter's day?
I really hadn't planned on purchasing any new seeds this year, but alas, I did. Bakers Creek has been my number 1 go to for seeds over the years. I love that they carry #heirloom #seeds. That is very important to me, as I save my own seed every year and have been doing so for over 25 years now. They send the seed packets in these cute envelopes that are just so adorable and make the order seem extra special.
After looking through the entire catalog and circling so many items, I finally went through a second time to narrow down my selections.
I was really drawn to the dark leafed Kale and Bok Choy this year. They are so nutritious and easy to grow too.
I already have cauliflower seeds but after reading the description on this variety, decided to give it a try for 2026. They also always send a free packet of seeds, and this time I got Shishito Pepper seeds. I do love growing a lot of different varieties and this will be a new one for me.
Sometimes I like to grow Petunias for my hanging baskets. This one really caught my eye, so I can't wait to see how it will perform for me this summer. It's a pretty one for sure. I normally grow purple or dark pink, so this one will be fun.
Renee's Garden
I was on a quest to find a Sweet Paprika pepper to grow next year. I already have a hot Hungarian Paprika seed but want a milder one for regular recipes. I do dry my peppers to make my own powders. I finally found this one online at Renee's garden. After going through all the categories, I came across the Exotic Love Vine.
When I used to grow and sell plants at the local market I grew this vine. Back then I knew it as Spanish Flag, and it was a customer favorite. So, I decided that I would grow it for the hummingbirds and let it climb up one of the bird nesting poles by the butterfly garden.
I'm pretty sure that I will not be purchasing any more seeds for 2026, but then another catalog shows up, and you know the probability, right? Have you started ordering seeds for your garden yet?
Oh God! You're already buying seeds :) My dad used to do the same, but he's cutting back on gardening, so he has plenty of seeds left.
Those envelops from Renee's Garden look amazing, I love the design. (Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I'm Hungarian, so I know what that Paprika pepper is like 😆
I love a good Hungarian Paprika. My brother brought me back some when he visited Hungary for work and I LOVE it! Now, I want to grow my own, I just hope it compares. BTW, I'm supposed to be cutting back on planting too much myself, yeah, we shall see, lol.
Thank you, and Merry Christmas, Ewkaw
I love this seeds and plant! I also want to plant seeds like these, especially heirloom seeds.😀 I hope I can find this on Shopee shop. I would like to try growing them too in 2026.
Hello Rona, I hope you find good seeds to grow for your garden too.
I actually started planning 1 garden a couple weeks ago, but haven't been able to get back to it. I don't order until I inventory what I have and plan the gardens so I know what I need. I can't save many seeds here, not enough room to have them not cross pollinate or go to seed, for some that takes 2 years. Mostly by fall, I forget to harvest them....
I did inventory seeds but haven't figured out how I'm planting this year. First thing come spring we have to replace the netting around the veggie gardens with wire fencing. It seems we have a couple of rabbits that insist on chewing large holes through the netting. Mika can easily escape through the holes, so now we have to do something more permanent. I seem to have decent luck with the seed saving and for the most part get a true resemblance to the original. ;-) Merry Christmas, Pam another year under our belts.
Oddly, given how many rabbits I have here, they have mostly left the big gardens alone. But this morning I think I found a series of small deer prints between the cars and the house, in the snow. I didn’t have the energy to see if any were in the Big garden where there’s still kale.
Well, the deer here can't get into the veggie area as I have the netting very high. But they sure do eat my neighbors plants all summer long. I have a compost area way in the back of the yard by the woods where I throw garden waste and they eat up everything I put up there, maybe that's why they leave my area alone.
Muy gratas las imágenes con las que ilustran los sobres de semillas. Espero que tenga éxito en la siembra y cultivo de estas y cuidarlas le regale momentos agradables.
Always learn something here. Keep posting this kind of content 🚀
I wish you a very Merry Christmas! GOD JUL