Categories: Organic Gardening

Growing Advantages

By Published On: January 20, 2011
Growing Advantages

I’ve finally taken the time to explore the inner reaches of my refrigerator, locating the seeds I mentioned, giving me reason to plan and wonder what I’ll plant in a climate with a year round growing season….  Without a green house or bomb proof cold frame, veggie gardening is typically unreliable in the Lake Tahoe area,  even in summer.  General crop survival and thus the ability to collect and save seeds for the next growing season difficult.  However with our coming move to, what appears to be, USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, I’m hoping the seeds I buy in the future will be few and far between as the success of seed collection becomes dependable.

Seeds are an excellent place to start with a kitchen garden, regardless of its size.  They are not only inexpensive, especially in comparison to buying starts, but provide a sense of accomplishment and wonder as they sprout and become edible treats and, if you’re lucky, real sustenance.

I prefer to buy organic seeds.  Organic guarantees that my food is chemical free, not genetically modified and safe.  Healthy for the soil, healthy to eat and healthy for the environment.  Creating a smaller carbon footprint and reducing pollution.

Overtime, a garden grown from seed collected on site has the added advantage of becoming increasingly adapted to its micro climate.  The maps may show that I’m moving to USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, but in reality this is not precise.  Every area, yard, nook and cranny a bit different due to its specific location, aspect, surrounding topography and the like.

My next round of seedlings will be squaring off with a new set of challenges.  No longer being accosted by extreme ranges in temperature (sometimes 50 degrees from day to night), high elevation and 8 to 9 months of Sierra Nevada winter weather.  We’re trading one set of demands for another.  Now we brave inner coastal conditions and competition, from pests and disease such as slugs, snails, powdery mildew, rusts, gophers… and I’m sure the list goes on.  I’ll soon find out.

Cosmic Launch
Pollinator Allure: Bumblebees & Native Plant Pollination

Listen

Grow what you love podcast
Grow what you love podcast on Spotify
Grow what you love podcast on itunes
Grow what you love podcast on Google Play
Grow what you love podcast on Stitcher
Grow what you love podcast on Tune In

Buy The Book

Buy the book

Special offers

Begin Composting Today With SubPod

Newsletter Signup

Newsletter



Yes, you can tell me about your other products and services! Privacy Policy

Archives

Disclosure

Pass The Pistil is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs such as Etsy, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to curated affiliate sites.

 

About the Author: Emily Murphy

I’ve learned there’s something wonderfully powerful in the simple act of growing. Here, in our gardens, we can repair ourselves and our plots of earth with our own two hands. GROW WHAT YOU LOVE and GROW NOW!

0 Comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.