So I know the anticipation is just killing you as to what seeds I bought. But first, I have to tell you what preparations I have been doing before the seeds arrive.
First, I ordered some new refill sponges for the system I bought last year. This is the system without the sponges, and my cat Ling Ling checking it out.
I am also sending off this soil sample from my vegetable bed. At Calloways, you get two free samples, so I thought it would be fun and “educational” to find out what my beds are lacking. I meant to do this last year but never got around to it.
I also ordered a nylon trellis. It is 5ft x 30ft. but you can cut it to fit and then you just secure it to two poles. ( I am hoping this is as easy as they described it.) I had envisioned this last year when I planted my english peas as a way to get two rows of peas, with the trellis in the middle, for them to climb. The openings on the trellis are 7in x 7in. I think I will try to find some bamboo poles.
Now, here are two conundrums I have already encountered. My swiss chard is still producing. 
The spinach I planted hasn’t done much at all. It looks healthy but still small. The same with the parsley. Do I take them out in order to plant English peas for which I will get a smaller yield or give them a little more time until I am ready to plant warmer vegetables? Argh. The other thing is, I still have English pea seeds from last year which I have on a wet paper towel in a plastic bag to see if they will germinate. If they do, I need to use them this year, because they probably won’t be any good next year.
The second problem is that I want to plant Porter tomtatoes. I planted one plant last year and it outdid all the other varieties I tried. This variety was developed by Porter and Sons, here in Texas, for our hot summers. There are two kinds, orginal Porter and Porter’s Pride. Porter’s Pride is larger. Well, the place I ordered the seeds from has said they have a 28 day backlog so I may not get them in time to get them going. So, do I order more Porter seeds from another place? or just buy transplants from a local nursery? what a world, what a world
So, this is what I bought:
Baker Creek (rareseeds.com)
- green zebra tomatoes
- a & c pickling cucumbers
- De Bourbonne cucumbers (tiny pickling )
- Tom Thumb lettuce
- Mignonette Bronze lettuce
- Little Gem lettuce
- Petite Rouge lettuce
- Tam Jalapeno (mild)
- Purple Jalapeno (med. – hot)
- Emerald Giant bell peppers
- Patio Red Marconi bell peppers
- Garden Cress
- Ground Cherry (Strawberry Husk Tomato)
Heirloom seeds
- nylon trellis
- Porter tomatoes
- Purple Hull peas
Seeds I have from last year:
- English Peas
- basil
- dill
- Lemon cucumber
- zucchini
- yellow squash
I selected these particular varieties either because they are for the south and/or heat tolerant; or they are dwarf/mini plants i.e. the lettuces; or they are great container plants i.e. the Patio Red Marconis and lettuces. The ground cherry I have been wanting to try for a jelly and the cucumbers for pickles. The purple jalapenos sounded fun – they ripen to red – but the purple should be fun in a salsa.
Now if I can just get my seeds. Are they here yet? Are they here yet?
fromgardentotable 