Christmas in February
Published: Friday, February 21, 2020
A cold, snowy day, a cup of hot coffee, and a stack of seed catalogs waiting for some ogling. I've been waiting for just the right snowy day when the tree branches are white, and snow keeps piling on. I've been waiting for that feeling to hit me—the one that says I am not quite ready for winter to end (mostly because we've barely had snow this year) but still want to take a little sneak peek at spring.
It's like Christmas in February. The magical day has struck.
Even though I have been hearing and seeing some early birds this month, I wasn't quite ready to begin dreaming of seeds and baby plants popping up from the soil.
Low and behold, the first catalog I select says I have until the end of the month to order and my whole order will be half off. HALF OFF! What a glorious excuse to envision my exclusive, finely manicured, artistically designed garden and landscape and go ahead and buy copious amounts of seed.
Let's see. Danvers Half Long or Scarlet Nantes carrots? Yaya is new to me, and how about the Purple Haze variety? Ok, one of each it is.
Oh wait. For some reason, I just can't master decent carrots in the garden. They are either too crowded or I thin with too much zeal. I end up with spindly, under-ripe, nasty tasting carrot alternatives. Turn the page.
Rhubarb. Already got it. Can't use up what I have. Next.
Ohh! Greens. I love greens. They are early to harvest and make me feel accomplished. Wait; they tend to get lost in the Lambsquarter sprouts, and since I can't identify some of the greens, they get pulled as weeds. Better pass on them, too.
Peas. Now that I can do. Oregon Sugar Pod II is always dependable, but the catalog recommends Avalanche. Both it is. There is also fence, folds for easy storage, and since it is only 32 inches high, maybe it won't get stolen and used in the barn, as was the case with the last pea-supporting cattle panel in the garden.
There you are my winter squash varieties. Delicata, spaghetti—oh how I love to toss you onto the manure pile as it composts down and forget about you all summer long, then in the fall, harvest the largest, sweetest squash ever. Until someone decides it is time to spread the pile, composted enough or not. It's like a game of hide and seek—ready or not here I come (or in this case, go). Then I watch as my succulent, healthy squash plants leave the yard to be scattered on the neighboring field like common manure.
Good old green beans. Here we go. I am good at that. Everyone likes them, they are a cooperative little plant. Bush Blue Lake, a good reliable stand by, French fillet, Kentucky Blue, maybe something exciting like Purple King or Rattlesnake. Hmmm. Bush or pole varieties? Easy answer—all of them.
Finally, the flowers. Yellow, orange, red, pink, white and blue. Early, mid-summer, late summer and fall blooms. And they even come with design instructions for grouping and having blooms all summer! Except the dog won't stop digging in and laying in flowers. Won't touch the vegetables, just the flowers. Sort of like a kid who won't eat vegetables, only dessert. The dog is old and in poor health, might not live until spring. To try flower seeds again or not to try? That is the question. Why not? At least I will be smiling when the seeds arrive in the mail in colorful envelopes while the world is grey.
They should probably stop sending me these catalogs. I buy way more than I need and end up giving half or more away. On the other hand, that's probably exactly why they keep sending them.
Bev Berens is a mom to 4-H and FFA members in Michigan. Do you have a story to share? Email her at uphillfarm494@yahoo.com.
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