Seed List for 2009

I’ll admit it. I went overboard. But with 1800 sq ft and an over-zealous imagination, it’s hard not to dive right in. I’m still in the process of learning what needs to be started indoors and when and how often. I know February 14th is the day most summer plants are started indoors here, so at least I have time.

Some of this is purely experimentation. Some of it is tried and true for others but a first for me. All of it makes me think I’m going nuts. Yikes!

Greens:

Arugula: Rocket
Cabbage: Red Drumhead
Kale: Russian Red
Romaine: Jericho
Spinach: Bloomsdale

Herbs:

Basil: Lettuce leaf
Basil: Sweet
Calendula
Cilantro
Cumin
Dill
Lavendar: Vera
Oregano
Parsley
Peppermint
Rosemary
Thyme

Beans:

Broad Fava
Daytona Bush
Moth*
Scarlet Emperor Runner
Tendergreen Bean
Yard-Long Pole

Carrots:

Carnival Blend
Danvers #126
Dragon Purple

Corn:

Golden Bantam Sweet
Japanese Hulless Popcorn

Cucumbers:

Snow’s Fancy Pickling
Straight Eight
Tendergreen

Melons:

Canteloupe: Sweet ‘n Early
Haogen
Northern Arizona
Watermelon: Sugar Baby and Crimson Sweet

Misc:

Broccoli: Thompson and Di Cicco
Brussels Sprouts: Early Half Tall
Eggplant: RoasBianca
Onions: Giant Zittau
Rhubarb: Glaskin’s Perpetual
Strawberry: Alpine Strawberry
Sunflower: Ornamental Mix, Mammoth and something crazy someone gave me

Peas:

California Black-eyed
Shelling: Progress #9
Sugar Snap

Peppers:

California Wonder
Jalapeno: Early
Sweet Bell mix from BG

Squash:

Butternut: Waltham strain
Early Summer Yellow Crookneck
Pumpkin: Rouge Vif D’Etampes and Howden
Yellow Summer Crookneck
Zucchini: Black Beauty

Tomatoes:

Amish Paste
Brandywine
Cherry Mix: Black Plum, Chadwisck’s cherry, Gold Currant, Sweet Orange II, Riesentraube
Jelly Bean
Mortgage Lifter
Roma VFN

Trees:

Apple: Fiji and Dorsett Golden
Apricot: Gold Kist
Nectarine: Pnamint
Peach: Mid-Pride
Plum: Santa Rosa
Pomegranate: Wonderful (two of these)

Other Things:

Alyssum (I plan to go overboard with this. I just LOVE the fragrance.)
Hollyhock, old seeds from my mom’s garden. We’ll see if they come up.
Marigold
Wildflower Mix

Yet to be decided upon and/or purchased:
Artichoke, Asparagus, Garlic, Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes.

*The moth beans listed above are the ones I’m most excited to try. In our extreme heat (110-115 degree F highs) and drought conditions (approx 4 inches of rain a year), it hard to find something that grows well without a lot of work. But this looks to be promising. Here’s the description:

Moth Beans:

Indigenous to India and highly drought resistant. the sprawling mat-forming plants do well in very hot weather (100-120 F) and protect the soil. Small pods 1-2″ long contain 4-8 tiny beans. In India the young pods are eaten and the dry beans are used like lentils. Very high in protein (22-24%). It did better in drought-stricken Kenya than any other crop. Smothers weeds. Can be planted where corn and squash will grow to shade mature vines.

Does well in most soils. Keep soil moist until seeds sprout and are established but water sparingly thereafter – very drought tolerant. Needs full sun and prefers hot weather.

How exciting does that sound? Probably wouldn’t do well in some U.S. states but for us in NV and others in CA or AZ or other dry climates, Moth Beans can be purchased from Bountiful Gardens.