Sue with Marlin viewing Bridal Veil Falls in Dupont State Forest today (March 1)
Finally - finally! - I am getting caught up on all sorts of things. In my last blog I described the amazing seed conference in Corvallis, Oregon. I had just enough time to unpack and repack and head for Hartford, Connecticut to provide four workshops at the Flower show. It was such fun, with the conference room filled with enthusiastic gardeners. I appreciate all of those who attended, many of whom purchased my books. Thanks!
One of my audiences gathering for tomato talk at the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show in Hartford
With those two events out of the way, my efforts turned to fulfilling seed requests. I am happy to say that by the end of tomorrow, all requests will have been fulfilled, and that includes many new to our Dwarf Tomato Project. I think that around 150 padded envelopes of seeds left Hendersonville for destinations the world over!
I have just one small request. If anyone wishes to contribute to the postage and handling of my seed sending effort, you can go to the Dwarf Tomato Project page, scroll down a bit and find a donate button (which is Paypal). Give it a click if you wish to lend a financial hand to my seed sharing efforts. Any donation will be deeply appreciated.
A very fragrant display at the Flower Show in Hartford.
I am about two weeks behind where I would typically be with regard to seed starting, but this is Hendersonville, not Raleigh. The potential for frost will linger a few additional weeks here, so I think all will be well. My goal tomorrow is to get those first seeds planted, with a focus on a few eggplants, peppers and tomatoes (primarily our Dwarf varieties, but a few of our favorite indeterminate types as well). I am not yet sure if I will be selling plants here - at least not yet.
In fact, as I walked around the yard the other day checking out our various growing areas (there are nearly 20 patches already planted with various things that are beginning to emerge), it isn’t at all clear what I will plant, and where - dig a garden, create raised beds, grow bags or straw bales. With my next trip being early April (St. Charles, near St. Louis MO), and seed sending complete, I will finally have time to figure out my 2020 garden plans.
I will tell you that I ordered some seeds - including some corn, melons, sugar snap peas and even sweet peas. I am ready to branch out, and go beyond the driveway, and beyond the typical tomato/pepper/eggplant garden. It’s time…it’s about time!
One final thought. We’ve lived here for a month and a half. From the day we walked into the front door, it felt like home. We are where we belong, and are just loving being here!
Caitlin, Sue, Marlin and Koda walking at the Pink Beds trail in the Pisgah National Forest a week or so ago