book video: my seed-shopping rules
THE YEAR 2013 WAS MY SILVER ANNIVERSARY of professional garden writing, and in that many trips around the block, er, border, some things have become second nature. Like how to shop for seeds without taking a second mortgage or buying a farm to fit them. In a video from “The Backyard Parables” series, the companion to my most recent book, I share my seed-shopping “rules” (and lots of juicy photos I’ve taken, too). Watch it, share it, and maybe buy a book if you want more how-to like this that’s layered inside a bigger memoir about my relationship with my life partner of 25 years: my own beloved backyard.
help me celebrate 25 years
- Order a book now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
- Read then share a free excerpt of “The Backyard Parables”
on Facebook, or download the pdf from this link instead.
- Watch the book’s “trailer” video
- Go ahead, share this post on your social networks so other gardeners might find it, using the buttons at the end of the story.
For all of that, and your visits and comments and inspiration, I sincerely thank you.
Loved it! I’m sure this condensed version of 20 plus years of your gardening wisdom will save me from a bunch of mistakes. My favorite part though is “since nobody is looking”… Maybe at the end I’ll still make the mistake of buying too many…
Thanks, Irene. Frankly, it helps ME to replay it, too, to try to control myself. :)
Hi Margaret..just joined your newsletter!…wanted to know what you recommend for store bought seed starting mix…back long ago when I grew herbs for retail I used Fafard. Is there a pre-mixed brand you like here in Maine or should I mix something with perlite or vermiculite?
Hi, Vanessa. For seeds I prefer a fine-textured germinating mix (Johnny’s in Maine has a good one, the 512 mix).
Just received notification that my copy of Backyard Parables has shipped from Amazon! Looking forward to it . . . perfect timing.
Enjoyed the video. Look forward to ur book/ we think a lot alike. The seed buying challenge goes just as you have put to words, in my house. And i do save my own as well. Just a couple extras beyond those I know that I really want/ it’s a pity I have only so much of me to devote to the garden as I would love to be extravagant….perhaps I need to clone myself?
Hi, Lori. Ye, clone would be helpful in gardening season!
Like you, I also use the look-at-it-twice method before placing the orders! I use the little sticky-tabs and tab everything I think I have to have, first time round. Better to waste a sticky tab than money, because you can be sure that on the second or third exam, I always leave something off the order!
Great video – book looks great!
Wonderful opening photo. Insightful, sensible advice. I look forward to the book. I bought Away to Garden years ago. It is a classic! Thanks so much for all your good work.
Yes! I pre-ordered your new book as soon as it was announced…..can’t to read it! Soon !
Loved the video Margaret. I definitely need to germination-test alot of seeds here, where there are an obscene number of old seeds, and it might, just might be time to bite the bullet and let some of them go. And, I need to be careful about not going crazy on ordering in the future.
Wonderful Video. Beautifully shot, and the information is grand.
Thank you, as ever, for your practical support.
Marnie
Happy New Year.
Great video.
I feel inspired to get out and sow, but will have to just look at seed catalogues and watch the video again.
I have many plants: cilantro, lettuce, collards, etc. that actually have resown themselves the following season. My cilantro has been like a perennial. I don’t believe I’ve bought seeds in years for them. It’s wonderful to find the volunteers restarting themselves, even though they may not be exactly in the places I might have chosen to plant them. I leave them be and enjoy!
Are you planning to package this book in the same way you did the last—signed for gifting? I got it for myself for Christmas several years back…..and my birthday is later this month…….
Excellent video. I go through much of the same process, but haven’t learned to limit myself. I keep making my garden larger than the year before. I am quickly outgrowing hours in the day. I’m looking forward to reading Backyard Parables later this month!