Monday Musings: {The Seed Catalog & A Challenge}

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"Growing food was the first activity that gave us enough propsperity to stay in one place, form complex social groups, tell our stories, and build our cities."

                                                                                           -Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

It's cold out this time of year.

Windy. Icy. Snowy. Grey.

It's easy to grow weary of the short days and early darkness.

The earliest spring bulbs are starting to poke through.

Spring is so close you can almost smell it.

Then, it arrives...the beacon of hope that every gardener anticipates.

The seed catalog.

Plopped into your mailbox on a cold, dreary wintry day.

Those who grow their own vegetables or flowers know what I mean.

It's exciting.

I thumb through it.  Over and over. And, over.  

Marveling at everything (even photos of vegetables I won't plant).

The pages are filled with bright, colorful photos.

Everyone knows that the best tomato sandwich of the year is the first one.  

When I look at the seed catalog, I can taste that tomato sandwich.

I get out my diagram and start planning and plotting this year's garden.  

There is a science to deciding where to plant what (more on that later).

My favorite seed company is High Mowing Organic Seeds.

Their website contains a wealth of information.  And their blog is wonderful and so helpful.

No GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in the farm's garden...
not good for human consumption or the world's food supply.

Here is an explanation of  the benefits of using organic seeds.

Healthier.

Better for the environment.

Naturally more resistant to pests and drought.

Organic seeds have returned to the mainstream.  

You can even buy them at Wal-Mart.

High Mowing Seeds (and similar companies) promote seed saving.  I remember my grandparents and parents saving seeds from vegetables grown in the garden, drying them, and using them to produce the following year's vegetables.

Talk about reducing your food costs.

We do a bit of that in the garden.  

You can't do that with GMOs.  Most of them self terminate.
Meaning the vegetables produce seeds that will not reproduce. 

What does something so unnatural do to your body when you eat it?  

The Challenge: grow food from seeds 

  In 2013, I encourage you to grow, from seed, at least one thing that your family will consume.  It's so rewarding.  You'll realize that you spent pennies and what you consume will have a much higher value.  It's also good for children.  It's fun for them to put a seed in the soil and watch the growth. 

 Even if you have no space or time for a proper vegetable plot, you can plant some basil or other herb seeds in small containers on a porch, balcony, or windowsill, and just pluck them when you are preparing a meal.

 Even if you just plant some mint to add to your tea, give it a whirl.