Long before the snow fell, when garden centres were still bustling with late autumn displays, helping customers and gearing up for the winter months they were also evaluating their seasons, checking which plants were popular and sourcing out the latest in trends while envisioning for a new season ahead.
Previous to this, in late June through August, just as the boom of the gardening season was still in its peak, the desks of greenhouse growers began to accumulate piles of magazines, catalogues and CD’s from various suppliers for the upcoming New Year. With current stock of plants requiring watering, stocking, sorting, loading and care, the sight of new catalogues revealing plants and seed selections was an indicator that there is always something upcoming – new and exciting.
How quickly the greenhouses turn around. It is that "another year is coming ahead - oh my" moment that reminds us that even as our customer is just gaining momentum in their gardens, that the greenhouse operators need to prepare for the next year ahead. It is this anticipated excitement that the first few catalogues are quickly thumbed through, later becoming subjected to pen scribbles, dog ears and sticky notes.
Similarly, late January and February the home gardener experiences this exact same thing. Grocery store check outs begin to be lined with magazines possessing cover pages splashed with glorious flowers, perennials and gardens. We are stimulated in knowing that the sun level is rising; the daylight hours are gaining and planning begins for our gardens.
Make February your planning month.
Remembering what did well, and what one would like to change in their garden is the beginning process of planning for the upcoming gardening season. What we bought as plants, and those ones we started by seed.
Garden centres that are open in February have already begun receiving their retail seed packages and soon the first shipment of bulbs such as annual begonias, and dramatic large leaf tropical elephant ears.
.JPG)
Seeding is still a favorite pass time for many. It is that desire to get your hands in the soil (or rather "growing mix"), and to take in the scent of moist soil knowing it will soon have seeds nestled nicely in it. Seeding is not only rewarding but also works well with budgeting your garden if a large numbers of plants are required. When seeding it is best to evaluate the amount of space you can allot to this as the plants will be indoors until your area is frost free.
Your seedlings will grow and eventually will need to be transplanted to a slightly larger cells or containers. Knowing when to sow your seeds will also guide you to the time frame of when the first transplanting stage should occur. Packets bestowing beautiful graphics of annual, perennials, vegetable or herbs on one side will also inform you of the necessary information for growing on its reverse side. Information such as sow time for starting indoors, and germination time (days if takes for the seed to show growth) are outlined. The information may also reveal the time it takes the seed to develop to maturity. This is important information to know to allot to your seeding; scheduling, so as not to begin seeding too early if plants develop quickly. You may also plan the seeding dates of various selections for different dates- multiple seeding. i.e. Seeding herbs for a continual harvest.
This brings to mind a common story told amongst gardeners, of starting seeds to soon and having a collection of greenery blessing the tables of many dining room tables. It happens to all. And the end of the story usually ends with an exuberant ... "wow, are they are growing!"
Bulbs are very similar. They can be seen as just another seed but bigger. Early selections such as begonias and elephant ears are chosen for their novelty characteristics.
Seeds come from different suppliers. Your choice is determined mostly by what your garden list is composed of. What color of flowers compliment the others? What heights do I want to achieve with my seeds? Do herbs become part of my seeding schedule with possibly reaping the benefit of an early harvest indoors?
Are you feeling the need to see plants; envisioning the colors, textures and designs that will become recipe for your gardens?
St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre is open year round with winter scheduled hours already gearing up with seed selections and all your requirements.
Seeding is the meaning of "the new 2016" growing season.
