Gardening 2025

[Kevin 489]

It may be a bit early to start this thread, but I wanted to make sure it was not lost. 

Baker Creek just released their 2025 catalog. In the US you can get the rare seed catalog for free or you can pay $14.95 to get their whole seed catalog. 

The free catalog is about 185 pages and the whole seed catalog is over 500 pages 

IMHO Baker Creek has the best seeds available and the prices are not unreasonable. It's the only place I buy seeds from.  They also carry stuff you didn't know you wanted to grow till you see it in the catalogs. 

 

https://www.rareseeds.com/

Edited November 15, 2024 by Kevin

[Chris 3,379]

I was just thinking about starting this up so I’m glad you did Kevin!

[Kevin 489]

I don't anyone to miss the seed catalog.  Lol

[Chris 3,379]

I just ordered the free one ( I think, I clicked the button and filled out the form but didn’t get a confirmation ) and look forward to seeing what they offer.

[Kevin 489]

They are great and like most places send free seeds.I have never had a problem with their seeds sprouting 

[Chris 3,379]

Heres my plans for the continuing wildflower meadow so far:

New in 2025 will be another pollinator mix plot on the eastern side of what's there now. Between the peach trees and the hedgerow I may put in something seasonal like sunflowers, we'll see. 

As you can see there will be ample paths kept mowed so one can walk between the flower beds. Eventually these will be accentuated with landscaping of some kind. 

 

As the yeards pass and the apple tress are no more, this field will end up mostly a wildflower meadow, all but completely returned to Nature. Just managed to avoid invasive species and other things like sumac from taking over.

Annuals will be spread throughout the existing plots just to add a bit of color and variety as the perennials come in. 

Additional wildflower beds will likely be planted near the house, particularly on the southern side, something that prefers half shade, so I don't know just yet what it will be. That area is a pain in the ass to mow, so why not find a better way.

[Chris 3,379]

Additionally, the county i going to be doing some work in the near future that involves a section of our land. While they are here, I am going to ask to take a look at the section of land down the road that is almost entirely milkweed and  wild mint, and is needlessly mowed every year. If they'll go along with it, and I can get permission, I'm thinking of fencing it off or at the very least putting up a "Do Not Mow" sign.

[Chris 3,379]

I ordered a couple of seed catalogs yesterday, just to make sure I get them. This weather is already getting to me so I need something to look at and think about for the future. 

Speaking of which, that diagram above is now null and void. Yesterday, in conjunction with another idea I had, I looked around and thought to myself, "F--k it, I'll make it bigger." 

The 2025 plot will be bigger. Also, I'd been thinking about putting a little bench along the new walkway anyhow, and now I know I will. I'd like to get one made of granite, but we'll have to see. I want something that will last as long, if not longer, than me. We have some kind of conifer, I think a Dawn Redwood, my father in law gave us a couple of years ago. I never knew where to put it, but I think I do now. 

[Chris 3,379]

I ordered my seed mixes for the new section going in this year. I'd like to put in a bunch of sunflowers over there by the peach trees, but that can be ordered from Gurney's or something a little cheaper. 

I ordered from American Meadows, and got the same as last year: 5# of the pollinator mix and 1/4# of Black Eyed Susans to mix into it. 

[Kevin 489]

I am actually getting ready to order my seeds from Baker Creek. I am trying some new things this year. Various types of flowers.

[Chris 3,379]

4 hours ago, Kevin said:

Various types of flowers.

Anything specific Kevin?

[Kevin 489]

I am looking at Asian Garden Celosia/Cockscomb. Which is great for teas and pink lemonade.

The tooth ache plant. It's very cool

Possibly ground cherries

Lemon Drop Watermelons

And.few different types of peppers.

I like growing things I have never tried before

[Hal 567]

I’ll take my pollinator bed expansions a little slower this year , maybe by hiring some “inside “ help to break ground for the new then using the drags to break up the sod from the soil over a period of time as it dries . In the meantime I have planted some specimens, Bee Balm and Butterfly Bush and an Elderberry plus perennial Sweet Pea on the existing fence sections . 
Wife and myself spend most of our time on the “ back - back “ ( porch on the back of the barn overlooking the field ) so it just makes sense to expand on what we enjoyed so much last year . 
But with baby steps and a bit more planning for increased visual interest . Not that the current planting wasn’t interesting just needs some tweaking . 
laughing point is , I got certified 50 years ago for this very thing and just now taking it seriously… and having fun with it ! Thanks Chris LOL ! 

[Chris 3,379]

The best part of the whole wildflower meadow movement is this: You just throw the shit out there and let Nature take its course. These plants have grown here for millennia, there’s no real science to it.