Ordering Seeds for Summer
In the Garden Club Mary Dominique wears many hats, including overseeing the growing of seedlings that are sold at the museum’s annual Strawberry Festival. She selects seeds and manages the plantings at a local high school greenhouse.
In recent years she has been ordering seeds from Seeds ‘n Such, and Pinetree Super Seeds. She sometimes also orders from Jung Seeds, Park Seeds, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
Pinetree has varieties that are harder to find, like Zucchette Rampicate, a prolific, sprawling zucchini that is less susceptible to the squash borer. Johnny’s has a wonderful selection of seeds. Baker Creek and Southern Exposure have nice heirloom seeds.
The new seeds Mary is most interested in acquiring this year are: Zinnia profusion ‘Red Yellow Bicolor’, ‘Autumn Frost’ hybrid squash, ‘Snak Hero’ peas, ‘Green Light’ cucumber, and ‘Echalion Creme Brulee’ shallots. They are All American Selection winners for 2021.
Mary suggests getting together with other gardening friends to place an order, sharing packets of seeds and shipping costs. With last year’s heightened interest in home gardens, it is suggested to place orders soon.
At All American Selections you will find even more ideas for your 2021 gardens, including these beautiful perennial plants:
PennState Extension has also reviewed new perennials and trees and shrubs for 2021.
Winter Bird-Feeding
The Audubon has a guide for feeding birds in the winter, explaining the right combination of feeder and food to provide a refuge for birds and a stage for watching their colorful antics.
Here is a fun project to make – a Bird Seed Wreath made in a bundt pan.
The kids will enjoy making this bird feeder from a recycled water bottle and wooden spoons.
February Garden Chores
The UMD Home and Garden Information Center has plenty of February Tips and Tasks for outside garden tasks as well as caring for your indoor plants. Here are few more ideas:
- Trim trees and shrubs while dormant
- Build new raised garden beds
- Check for insect infestation
- Force forsythia or pussy willow branches
- Plan your garden, buy your seeds
Get your hand tools sharpened. Here are some local places:
Christopher’s Hardware Ron Berman’s Sharpening
500 Olney-Sandy Spring Road 4000 Shallow Brook Lane, Olney, MD
301-570-1300 301-648-4615
As we huddle indoors this winter, it is great to see that the US Botanic Garden has videos of the gardens in summer and inside the arboretum. There are also online events such as cooking demonstrations and yoga classes.
