Friday, January 14, 2011

Seeds...Check!

Well I finally got my seed order in!  Fingers crossed nothing is out of stock!  I ordered from two places, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Johhny's Selected Seeds.  I am very excited to dive into the heirlooms and start saving up!  Did I mention I am a little lighter in the wallet this morning?

On the subject of seeds, what do you all think of this book?
I am considering ordering it.  Seeing as how this will be our first year with heirlooms, I want to do it justice.  Do you recommend it or do you have another that you love?

And then I think this book might also be good and would like your 2 cents:
It's on companion planting and what not.  I think we could maximize and be beneficial at the same time as to pests etc.  What do you think?

Since we are on the subject of books, look what Pig Pen ordered us from Backwoods Home:
Note that one book is missing...Chickens.  It's in his lunchbox.  But that's ok, I read it last night cover to cover!
Posted by The Apple Pie Gal at 8:53 AM
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18 comments:

  1. Mama PeaJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    We have a much earlier edition of "Seed to Seed" (1991) and I must admit I've not used it much so can't give you a recommendation good or bad. Seed saving is an aspect of gardening that I'm needing to delve into. Our problem with that is that our season is so very short, it's hard to get a plant to survive long enough to produce seeds! Frost usually strikes first.

    I always use companion planting. Really feel there is a lot to it. My favorite book on the subject is Companion Plants and How to Use Them by Helen Philbrick and Richard Gregg. BUT I don't even know if it's available anymore. The copyright date on my copy is 1966.

    Ain't books wonderful??

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  2. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    MamaPea, I wonder if the root crops would overwinter good up there for you? I will look for that older copy of Companion planting. If I can't find it, maybe I will get this one and then let you's know how it is. I have done minimal companion planting in the past, but I really think, like everything else, we can improve.

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  3. JaneJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    I love books all books! I think the one on companion planting,is probably a good choice,the other I cant offer an opinion,because I havnt read it,but the cover looks nice,if that helps any,Blessings,jane

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  4. Mama PeaJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Okay, I'm admitting to a fuzzy brain this morning. What do you mean "I wonder if the root crops would overwinter good up there for you?" In relation to seed saving . . . ??

    (You may have to speak slowly using small words. I've even had my morning latte so my brain cells should start firing soon.)

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  5. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Jane, any time a book cover looks good it tempts me :)

    MamaPea, I ah I...think that's what I meant? But remember, I really have no clue yet! HA! Yeah, don't some root crops need to overwinter to produce seeds? I think...

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  6. Jane @ Hard Work HomesteadJanuary 14, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    I am so glad your books finally came. I guess I know what you are doing today! And even a goat book. Well look at that!

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  7. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 14, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Jane, yeah a goat book! We have them named already too. Frank and Frannie. Course we don't HAVE any, but they have names at least!

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  8. Mama PeaJanuary 14, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Duh, okay, my misunderstanding. I think. (We may both be dangerous today.)

    We have tried and tried to overwinter veggies in the ground up here with absolutely no success. We've piled straw mulch two feet thick on top of them but the frost still creeps in from the sides and bottom. We've even tried 2" thick foam insulation with mulch on top of that. (Our frost goes down 5 feet.) Believe me, you don't want to see (let alone try to dig up) carrots that have turned to orange and black slimey mush. (Is it lunch time yet?) :o)

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  9. SusanJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I like the way Jackie Clay writes. I have a Large library on how-tos, who's done whats, and guides to practically everything. It is some of my favorite winter reading. I used to think that Storey Books were THE how-to guides, but I'm afraid they've fallen down a notch with their choice of new writers. Knowledge is power, so you power on, girl and get those chickens and goaties!

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  10. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    MamaPea, that is such a bummer! Why couldn't we have found you a nice clean place with snow in the winter but with out such freezing temps?!
    (and warm summers for tomatoes!!)

    Is it wrong to want your cake and eat it too?

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  11. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Susan, the chickens are for certain. The goats will be a while yet. I also want to get Jackie's canning book. That's another one I think is gonna happen sooner rather than later. Do you have that one and if so is it great?

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  12. Mama PeaJanuary 14, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    You have no idea how much grief we got from my family (around your stomping grounds) when we moved all the way up here. I can still hear my mom saying, "There are plenty of nice little farms in Wisconsin. I don't know why you had to go all the way practically to Canada!" Believe me, if we could have gotten away from the pollution and population by picking a spot that was a little more hospitable, we would have.

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  13. Amy DingmannJanuary 14, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    I have not read the first two books you have posted, but I have heard very good things about Carrots Love Tomatoes. I have, on the other hand, read all the books you ordered from Backwoods Home. And they're all Fab. And speaking of Jackie Clay...have you read Jackie Clay's "Starting Over" book? I'm done with my copy - a few times over. I would be happy to send it to you if you want....

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  14. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 15, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    MamaPea, I think your area is lovely! Again, cake-eat. Oh the trials! Stay put...you are better off for it.

    MamaTea, I haven't read that one YET. But I am going to (it was in that pile in the back). Thank you for offering though! You are too sweet!!! Any others of hers that you would recommend...lemme know!!

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  15. ErinJanuary 15, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    I have "Carrots love Tomatoes", I've had it for 3 years and I'll be honest it's still in my stack of things to read LOL! Every now and then I'll look something up in it but I'm so space challenged in all my beds that I find frequently it's hard to abide by "the rules" all the time LOL..... if you want something that's really cool and laminated, look up "The Vegetable Gardener's Guide" POSTER, it's got all kinds of info on companion planting, time, requirements, etc that's all displayed.

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  16. LeighJanuary 16, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    I've gotten Carrots Love Tomatoes from the county library, so probably wouldn't buy that. It's okay, but I've really been more interested in Sally Jean Cunningham's Great Garden Companions .

    The only seed saving book I have is Marc Rogers Saving Seeds but I really wouldn't mind another book on the same topic, to get another point of view.

    I love Jackie's blog but don't subscribe to the magazine. I only hear raves about all her writings though. Do give us some reviews!

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  17. Dirt LoverJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    I have the book Carrots Love Tomatoes. It's great! I got it at the end of last summer, and plan on using it when I am planning my 2011 garden. Haven't read the others, though.
    ~~Lori

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  18. The Apple Pie GalJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Lori, I think I have come to the conclusion that I just want them all :o) LOL! Thanks for stopping in and commenting!

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