Postcard No.5

Garden Planning

I have a confession. Gardening intimidates me.

Mid May of last year, I was invited by a friend to a seance with a medium. At the time I didn’t have any pressing questions, and was open to whatever message needed to come through. Without wasting a second, the medium asks “what’s up with your anxiety about your garden? Are you really anxious about seeds or something?”

I laughed because, actually yes, I was incredibly anxious that it was already May, and I had nothing planted! She mentioned that she kept hearing “tell her to put her damn seeds in the ground, already. And don’t overcrowd them.” She shared that she could see my paternal grandfather standing behind me trying to deliver this message.

After chatting with the medium about herbs and gardening, I immediately went home and put seeds in the ground. Some took, and some didn’t due to what I can only surmise as a lack of planning.

For this year’s garden, I’m taking a note from my grandfather, and not waiting till the last possible second to start planning and sowing.

Seeds

Whatever seeds I’m not able to get at Toledo Grows annual seed swap, I purchase from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Rare Seeds, and Eden Brothers. The beauty of buying seeds once is you can collect seeds at the end of the season and use them again and again. Last year I was able to collect allium and nasturtium seeds.

Sowing

To prep for sowing, I visited Titgemeiers Feed & Garden, Toledo’s local garden and feed store in the south end (they’ve been in business for 135 years!). I got organic soil, seed trays, bird feed to attract the cardinals and yellow finches, and grass seed to plant in some shady wet areas.

Buying Plants

Some plants are better purchased at a nursery than starting from scratch. For perennials this year, I’m adding a few geranium plants, 2 boxwood topiaries for the front entrance, and witch hazel bushes in the back garden. Witch hazel just appeared on my radar after seeing the bright yellow flowers that last most of the winter. They are hardy, can tolerate shade, smell good, can be used medicinally, and some are even native to Northwest Ohio! I was told the best place to get witch hazel bushes is actually from Etsy, specifically Mike’s Plants on Etsy.

I’ll share updates on my garden progress. I’ve got work to do. Happy sowing!