Winter Gardener's Blues? Not a Chance!

Irises don't normally need mulching here in Zone 8, but because the first year of their lives is so critical, I did toss a light layer of leaves and shredded cedar on them just before Christmas.

Gone To Seed

When it comes to buying vegetable seeds, I do pay attention to organics. Invariably, I have had the best germination rates from seeds grown organically. Also, because I'll actually be eating the fruits of my labor (hopefully, that is), I like knowing the entire lifecycle has been nothing but organic.

The company I can most highly recommend for this purpose is Johnny's Seeds. They are experienced, inexpensive, carry a wide variety of organic seeds and have excellent customer service. I also like Seeds of Change and, while their entire catalog isn't organic, Seed Savers Exchange has unique heirloom varieties not found everyplace.

This year, I'll be ordering a mixture of both tried-and-true varieties from my own gardening past, and a few curiosities. Also, many of my seeds have gotten old. Some seeds will keep for a couple of seasons, but for best results, order replacements every year.

In my next column, I'll share some organic seed starting tips, as the time to get those tomatoes, peppers and squash going is nearly here!

Referenced Links:

• Garden Watchdog
• Johnny's Seeds
• Seeds of Change
• Seeds Savers Exchange

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