Garden Seeds

 I got my seeds from William Dam Seeds the other day.  I exerted a lot of self-control and only ordered a few items - things I wouldn't be able to get locally.  Many of the new sunflowers are pollen-free, but I want ones that make seeds for the birds.  This mix seemed to have a good variety of non-hybrids and I can save some seeds to sow next year.

 Lavatera is rarely seen for sale in the spring because it doesn't transplant well but it is great annual.  I usually start it about 4 weeks ahead in a peat pot and then it transplants just fine. Seeds are often available in the seed racks but not in a mix of four colours.  Lavatera develops a taproot so it can withstand dry, hot weather. I never have to water it once it gets going. If it is happy, it will grow into a substantial little bush 2' high with many blooming branches.

 Occasionally I see statice for sale in the spring but just to be sure I bought seeds.  The seeds are easy to start and 6 weeks is enough to get them to transplant size.  Again they like lots of  sun and don't mind being on the dry side.  The flowers are papery  and can be used for dried flowers.  The purple and yellow ones, in particular hold, their colour well over time.

Gomphrena makes a fun dried flower with its lollipop shape.  I start them inside ahead of time, too.  They do best in sun with a medium to lean soil. 

 I enjoy having little personal size lettuce.  I have grown mini-iceberg befpre but this is the first time that I've seen a mini romaine/butterhead type.  The little lettuces work really well for successive plantings.

This will be year 3 for me growing Gypsy sweet peppers.  So far they are the earliest and most productive pepper that I've ever grown.  Flavour is milder than some so I plant other varieties as well, but for reliability Gypsy is the best .  They have time to ripen to red even with our short summers.