“Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized.” – Allan Armitage

Today’s podcast is the first of 13 discussions in my Gardening How-to Series. This series will appear here at my blog, at my Podcast AND my YouTube Channel! The first topic will focus on what I believe is the foundation for all gardeners. What type of seeds do you want to plant? I am going to discuss why I prefer them, the benefits of Heirloom seeds versus hybrids, & much more.

I have always said I believe the ancients decided February would only have twenty-eight days (except on the leap year) because humans needed a slight reprieve from the doldrums of winter for those of us who live in cold climate zones. Yes, yes, yes… I know some of you listening to this may be happy for this said reprieve… but not me. I live & love for the warm days of spring, summer, & fall.

All the glory these three seasons dole out… I breath and live this. If you are a die hard gardener… you know what I’m saying.

The snow is covering the ground, yet we who are lovers of the dirt long to see the earth come alive once again. Spring is so near we can feel it in the warmth of the suns rays as it shines graciously down upon us. Yes February is the time we see spring’s arrival is ever so close!

As promised I will be focusing on garden how-to topics during the month of February. To see the complete list of topics, check out my blog post HERE & be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a beat!

Click this LINK to go over and listen!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE!

For easy reference, here is the list of my favorite Heirloom varieties for home gardening & seed resources:

Tomatoes:

Beefsteak: Pineapple, Brandywine- all colors, Paul Robeson, Dr. Whyche’s, Hillbilly

Roma’s: Super Italian Paste, Plum Lemon, Roman Candle, all the Icicles, Striped Roman

Salad types: Green and Red Zebra, Woodle Orange, Rose De Berne, Stupice, White Tomesol

Cherry & Grapes: Riesentraube, Violet Jasper, Blondkopchen, Red & White Current, Chocolate Cherry, Sungold, Yellow Pear

Lettuces:

Rein’s De Glace, Merrillville de Four Seasons, Grandpa’s, Red Oak Leaf,  Jericho, Forellenschulus or Speckled Like a Trout’s Back, Rubin’s Romaine, Butter Crunch,  Lolla Rossa,  May Queen, Parris Island Cos, Rouge D’Hiver

Spinach:

Bloomsdale Longstanding, New Zealand, Merlo Nero

Swiss Chard:

Rainbow, Fordhook, Golden

Beets:

Detroit Dark Red, Early Wonder, Chioggia, Golden Detroit, Crosby’s Egyptian, Cylindra, Bulls Blood

Beans:

String: Blue Lake Bush, Contender
Wax: Golden Wax
Roma: *Roma, Dragon Tongue, Purple Podded Pole

Cabbage:

Late Flat Dutch, Early Jersey Wakefield, Henderson’s Charleston Wakefield, Perfection Drumhead Savoy, Mammoth Red Rock

Broccoli: 

Calabrese, Waltham 29, Green Sprouting

Cauliflower:

Purple Of Sicily, Giant of Naples, Snowball Self Blanching

Peppers:
Sweet:  Jimmy Nardello- my personal favorite- long, sweet frying peppers Red & Golden Marconi, Purple Beauty, Sweet Chocolate
Hot: Early Jalapeno, Anaheim, Hungarian Hot Wax

Peas:

Mammoth Melting Sugar, Sugar Snap, Lincoln

Carrots:

Cosmic Purple, Lunar White, Amarillo, Atomic Red, Chantenay Red Core, Danvers Long

Cucumbers:

Lemon, Marketmore 76, Boston Pickling

Eggplant:

Rosa Bianca, Black Beauty, Purple Long, Thai Long

Winter Squash:

Waltham Butternut, Acorn, Sweet Dumpling, Delicata, Spaghetti, Green or Orange Buttercup

Summer Squash:

Round De Nice, Fordhook Zucchini, Prolific Straightneck, Patty Pan, Starburst

Radishes:

White Icicle, Purple Plum, French Breakfast, Cherry Belle, Black Spanish, Pink Beauty

Sweet Corn:  For most home gardeners,  it is hard to move away from the Hybrids because of the Super Sweet  genes that have been introduced in them… but if you want to try an  Heirloom, this is a very good one. Golden Bantam

Resources for seed companies I’ve personally used.

Resources: Here are a few of my favorite seed catalogs to order from

Baker Creek Heirloom Seed http://www.rareseed.com

Fedco Seeds http://www.fedco.com

Johnny’s Selected Seeds  http://www.johnnyseeds.com

Seed Savers Exchange www.seedsaversexchange.com

BONUS::::Here are a couple yummy Fall Storage Crop recipes to keep you warm and cozy… enjoy!

Roasted Carrot Soup

6-8 medium carrots, peeled & cut into 1 inch pieces
1 c coarsely chopped onion
1 tbsp olive oil
2 14.5 ounce cans chicken broth
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt & black pepper

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Toss carrots, & onion with oil to coat.  Spread veggies in a single layer in a shallow baking pan.  Roast for 20 minutes or until tender.
2. In a large saucepan combine roasted vegetables, broth, and paprika .  Bring to boiling.  Cool slightly.
3. Transfer half the vegetable mixture at a time to a blender or food processor.  Blend or process until smooth.  Return mixture to saucepan.  Add lemon juice.  Heat through.  Season with salt & pepper. 

Poached Beets

3/4 c apple juice
1/2 c water
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
2 1/2 pounds beets, peeled & cut into bite size pieces
Salt & pepper
Honey
1 tbsp snipped fresh parsley

1. In a large saucepan combine 1/2 c of the apple juice, the water, and brown sugar.  Bring to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Add beets.  Return to boiling; reduce heat.  Simmer, covered, about 45 minutes or until beets are tender & can be pierced with a fork, stirring occasionally.  Drain.
2. Transfer beets to serving bowl.  Sprinkle remaining juice over beets.  Season to taste with salt & pepper.  If desired, drizzle with honey.

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Happy Day,
Jean

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