Bonus Leap Day this year! I think I’ll go sort my seed packets and double-check my seed starting dates, today.
Supposed to hit 45 today, so things should be a muddy mess out here on the farm - but I’ll take it! :)
Sun is shining here is Michigan and milder temps ahead. Best wishes to all!
I’ve gone through my seeds and separated out the ones I want to plant this year. That list will change some, because Baker Creek is still deciding what my growing assignment should be. I’ve already had to swap out the cucumber I’d intended to grow.
I’m testing out a bunch of new things this year. (Well, some of them I tried to plant last year but they got chocked out by weeds. I’m working harder at getting those under control.)
Among the things I’m trying out:
Jyunpaku Okinawan Pure White Bitter Melon - According to Baker Creek, this is the least bitter of the bitter melons, and if allowed to ripen fully it loses its bitterness entirely and tastes like cherry candy.
Kirkman Melon - This is one that Baker Creek discontinued, although I don’t know why. It’s very similar to a cantaloupe, but the flavor continues to develop off the vine, and it has a remarkably long shelf life if stored like squash. The longer it’s stored, the better it tastes, which should make for a nice treat in winter.
Kaho Watermelon - Another variety from Baker Creek. This watermelon is small, loaf-shaped, and orange on the inside. While the size is appealing, what caught my attention is the flavor. When I tasted one, it didn’t actually taste like watermelon. It tasted like straight-up sugar water. Which, if you’re looking for old-fashioned watermelon flavor, this isn’t it. But I hope to experiment to see if this could be a viable homestead sugar substitute.
Thai Extra-Long Luffa Gourd - This one is much like the name describes. It’s a luffa, same as the regular kind. But this one is only a couple inches in diameter, and 3-4 feet long. If cut crosswise, this would produce a lot of dish scrubbies per gourd. If kept long, you could scrub your own back without having to reach.
Rose Red Soba Buckwheat - The catalog says this is a perennial buckwheat, that produces a good amount of grain. Perennial grains are an interesting concept, and are in high demand in permaculture circles, but there aren’t many out there. I’m testing this one before I decide if I’ll recommend it.
Bigger Better Butternut - One of Carol Deppe’s creations, this one isn’t currently being carried by anyone. I bought the seeds off someone who had gotten them from Ms. Deppe in person. If it lives up to the hype, I’ll be offering it to Baker creek. If they decide not to carry it, I’ll sell it myself through Seedwise.
Calabaza de las Aguas - This is a C. mixta squash. Most C. mixtas aren’t all that sweet, and I prefer sweet squash. The description says this one is very sweet. We’ll see.
Shark Fin Squash - Most squash you find on the market are from one of 4 squash species. This is from a 5th species, C. ficifolia. I have no idea what it tastes like, but the description says it forms noodles like spaghetti squash, and it will keep in the shell for years! Again, if it meets my standards, I’ll be offering the seeds for sale.
Sweet Rocket - A perennial perfume plant. Because sometimes you just want to stop and smell the flowers.
(This list is in addition to my regular crops, like beans and tomatoes. I’m going to have a busy summer!)
Good morning!
Loving the sunshine today.
cheers
Pretty!
And a frosty day it is here. My arugula and Kale, my Garden that just keeps going, are covered with sheets and then a blanket of snow on top. This might just be their last hurrah. But I’ve been saying this since November.
I envy those of you that are getting started on gardening already! If I was in California still all the trees would have blossoms. Have to wait another couple months for that here.