Monday, January 16, 2012

The First Seed Order Has Arrived

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We are having a warm up here with rain coming in so the snow will be washed away.

Seeds2012
Saturday I received the first of the seeds that were ordered for starting indoors. Some of my growing lights will have to be replaced first. It seems the bulbs all decided to blow out at the same time.
The first order was from Swallowtail Garden Seeds. I have ordered from them before and have had good luck with the seeds germinating. Some other companies have been iffy over the years about sporadic germination. Since I keep a seed log from year to year I am able to keep records of where the seeds were bought and what seeds do well for me. Some seeds are not the providers fault but mine. I cannot get some seeds to germinate for me at all. Impatiens seeds from companies is one that is hard to get germinated for some reason but I can take seeds from Impatiens I buy to plant and those seeds will germinate very well. So I save my own seed for them. Impatiens are a must for all the shady areas I have in my garden beds.
I am however taking a chance with Swallowtail Seeds and trying to grow….

impatiens_swirl_monet_mix_
All Pictures courtesy of Swallowtail Garden Seeds

…. this mix of “Swirl Monet” Impatiens to be grow with some “Black Dragon” coleus in a couple of shady window boxes.

coleus_black_dragon_2
In the way of Cosmos this year I will be trying these “Gloria” seeds.

cosmos_gloria_2 
I always have to grow a new pelargonium's every year despite the fact that I hold many over in the basement every winter. I adore geraniums since they remind me of my Grandmothers who both grew them. They both had wonderful sunny windows where they bloomed even in the winter.
geranium_bullseye_cherry_2
This year one of the new pelargonium additions will be “Bullseye Cherry”.

portulaca_margarita_apricot_2
When I saw this Portulaca “Margarita Apricot” I just had to get it to try out. I loved the peach double blooms with the spot of deep rose in the centers.

zinnia_scabiosa_flowered_mix_2
For zinnias this year I am going to try the Scabiosa flowering mix.

Also in this order were:
Avalanche Tropical Red Petunias and and Easy Wave Coral.
Commelina Sleeping Beauty
Fairy Queen Salvia
Kauai mix of Wishbone flower
and Tithonia Fiesta Del Sol

 tithonia_fiesta_del_sol_2
All pictures are Courtesy of Swallowtail Garden Seeds

Two other smaller orders are on the way. One order which is mostly perennials will be coming from Plant World Seeds in the
U. K.  Those will take a while to get here for sowing later.
Tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers will most likely be the only veggies I grow this year.
Have you got your seed order ready or gotten your seeds this year for winter sowing?  What are you planting indoors this winter?

Happy Gardening,
Lona

 

37 comments:

Ed said...

Great looking order, those are some nice looking varieties. I've always had good luck with Swallowtail Seeds too. Haven't placed my order yet, I still have to narrow it down to a realistic size. LOL.

Jane Doe said...

Wow! You are on the ball,Lona. We haven't even figured out where to begin, yet. We're planting a garden this spring and have so many beds in dire need of attention. Thanks for the reminder that it's time to get started.

Anonymous said...

Getting excited? When will you begin your seeds? I have always had success with coleus from seed, keep them in the shade and viola!

Becca's Dirt said...

I received my seeds a while back. Many of the ones I wanted at that time were sold out. I'll have to go back and see what I might find. I am excited about the upcoming spring. Can't wait to see all your beauties in bloom. My seeds came from T&M and Park. I'm a little leery about getting seeds from places I'm not familiar with but I will try Swallowtail.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

You have some beautiful selections there, and did a great job of getting your orders made. I pulled out my list of veggies from last year and need to see what I need to order.

Lona said...

Hi Ed. I always have that problem too. I always want to try so many varieties. Thanks for dropping by.

Lona said...

I usually start some plants indoors by the last of January and more in February. I am ready to move on. LOL!

Lona said...

I will start the last of this month and then do more in February. I sow the coleus seeds direct into containers when it gets warm. I am excited to try the Black Dragon's.

Lona said...

I have to admit that I have trouble with some of the seeds I get from Parks. Summer Hill Seeds and Swallowtail give me great results. I am ready to begin too Becca.

Lona said...

I mostly grow flowers but there are a few vegetables that I just love so I have to plant a few.Have a wonderful week!

scottweberpdx said...

How exciting...I LOVE getting new seeds! I've never heard of that particular Cosmos before...I do hope you'll post updates on how they fare this summer!

Carla said...

I have not ordered from Swallowtail Garden Seeds before. I need to get on this mailing list. I received orders from Baker Creek and Botanical Interest on Friday and will get those planted this week.

Your flower selections looks much like mine.

Happy Gardening and thanks for sharing the information.

Balisha said...

Hi Lona,
I love that zinnia. I may copy you and order them too.
Balisha

Patsy said...

Your yellow header is lovely, the post set up is too.I like the way you are doing comment replies.You make me wish for spring with all the pretty flower seeds.
The Bennie is doing great, thanks for your prayers.
Hugs

Stephanie said...

The seeds/flowers are going to be as bright and cheery as your current blog design. The colours you have chose are amazing! I like that coleus also. Happy sowing!

Indie said...

Some lovely selections! I just got a whole bunch of different seeds from a friend, and I will be trying out some wintersowing, so we'll see how that goes! I usually find that I can't resist buying seed packets during the winter and then end up with way too many :)

Lona said...

I will let everyone know Scott either good or bad. LOL!

Lona said...

I do not know if they have a catalog Carla but you can check out their website.
Thanks for dropping by!

Lona said...

I have never saw them before Balisha but I really liked the looks of them. Now if they live up to the pictures.LOL!

Lona said...

Thanks Patsy. You can reply this way also. Go into Design, Comments and click the Embedded feature.
I am so glad to hear that the Bennie is doing well. Your are quite welcome. We all need those prayers.

Lona said...

Hi Steph. Thanks. It seems strange to talk about sowing seeds when we have not had any major winter weather as yet. I am hoping we do not get it in March. LOL!

Lona said...

I love trying new seeds too and have to watch myself.LOL!Getting seeds from friends is always so much fun. Good luck with your winter sowing.

myomyohi said...

Love the scabiosa zinnias and cosmos are one of my favorite flowers.
I haven't ordered any yet. I better get my order ready.

jerilanders said...

I wish you were my next door neighbor,then, when my garden flopped, I would still have something wonderful to look at from my window.

HolleyGarden said...

I am so anxious! I have not received my seeds yet - but this post reassures me that mine will be coming soon!

Joe Todd said...

Golf seeds and gardening Oh My.. Back to doctor today fro check up. Everything seems to be going ok..

Anonymous said...

Beautiful selection of seeds! I also have seed fever, and I recently posted about my addiction to them. There's nothing like making a wish list of seeds -- the hard part is the narrowing down. Happy planting!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Isn't it fun looking through all the seeds. You chose some really pretty flowers. I like trying new Zinnias every year and have never seen any like those. It's exciting to think that seed starting is just around the corner.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I have all my wildflowers that I sowed outside this fall. I will try some winte sowing this week sometime ( finally got some soil). You shared some beauties!! I never thought about growing a pelargorium from seed. Will have to explore some of the seeds for them.
I have a question, you have switched, like I did, to the threaded comments. I don't see how to get the person's avatar. Am I missing a setting? Any idea?

Lona said...

I am always trying to make spring come early by getting my seed order in. LOL! I do not think it works so well though.

Lona said...

Girl your garden always looks wonderful. I wish I had your veggie garden.

Lona said...

Well I cannot wait to see what you are growing this year.

Lona said...

I think you need an APP for golf Joe. LOL!Good luck on the check up fella!

Lona said...

I know what you mean Kevin. I have a hard time paring them down because I want to try so many different ones but I only have so much room. I think that is why I try different ones every year. LOL!

Lona said...

That is the first time I have noticed the Scabiosa zinnia Catherine. I liked the looks in the pictures anyway but you know how that pans out sometimes. LOL! Hope you did not get too much snow your way.

Lona said...

Hi Janet. There is a check box that you have to check "yes" where it says "show images for profiles"

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Thanks Lona, in the new and improved Blogger dashboard that option wasn't there. Had to go back to the old format and lo and behold, there it was!