I no sooner put down my trowel and store the lawn mower for the season than the seed catalogs begin arriving in my mailbox. It used to be you’d start getting them around Christmas, or maybe New Year’s Day.  It was fun cozying up on the couch with the pile of seed catalogs while a fire crackled in the hearth and the spouse watched the Jets lose a game on a Sunday afternoon.  Now the seed catalogs are vying for space in my mailbox alongside Swiss Colony, Figis, and the usual 1,001 clothing catalogs and office supply catalogs.

Harden off seeds outside before transplanting into the garden.

Seed Catalogs Begin Arriving

The first two to arrive this week were Vermont Bean Seed (which sells more than bean seeds) and Pinetree Garden seeds. Of the two, Pinetree offers a more intriguing array of seeds. They have specialty sections for growing Italian herbs and vegetables as well as special Asian cuisine vegetables. We’ve been toying with the idea of growing some herbs and vegetables and trying to sell them through the farmer’s market or to local restaurants, and if I ever go through with that plan, I’ll turn to a catalog like this for my seeds.

I’ve got a few things circled already. I know I want to try to grow leeks next year.  Each year I pick several experimental vegetables to try, and 2012 shall be the year of the leek and the year of the asparagus here at Seven Oaks.  We’ve got a bed already prepared for them, as if they’re long awaited house guests. Here’s your nice bed of well rotted cow manure and peat – come on down!  I’ll bring you a hot toddy of compost tea tonight, okay? 

I know why the seed companies are rushing the season.  But I’ve barely finished this year’s garden, and now they’re already enticing me with seeds for 2012!