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Seed Catalog Time
By Mary Emma Allen
Although the ground is still frozen in New Hampshire and in most places
white with snow, the seed catalogs begin to arrive. We dream of
gardening time and plan our seed orders for the vegetables and flowers
we'll grow this year.
Browsing through seed catalogs and planning seed orders have been winter
pastimes of country folks for years and years.
Presidents Were Gardeners
Even George Washington perused seed catalogs sent to him from Britain.
He often tried growing new plants and vegetables.
Thomas Jefferson was another gardener, as were John Quincy Adams and
that patriot Benjamin Franklin.
They brought seeds back from abroad and had great interest in growing new
plants.
Early Seed Catalogs
David Landreth, of Philadelphia, published one of the first seed
catalogs in America. He also operated a nursery and seed shop where he
produced many of the items shown in his catalog.
Seed Catalogs of Childhood
As a child, I enjoyed looking at the seed catalogs that arrived at our
farm. Usually we acquired more catalogs than Father needed, so we
children could have the extra ones. i remember cutting out pictures of
flowers and vegetables and planning gardens I'd like to have.
Father ordered some seeds from catalogs. Many he purchased at the local
farm supply store in the spring.
All the same, it always was a delight when the colorful seed catalogs
arrived...a time to equal the arrival of the new Sears and Wards "wish
books" each season.
Today's Seed Catalogs
We received a seed catalog in the mail the other day; it set my daughter
dreaming and planning about our garden this year. We live in a three
generation household and Beth and her children find the gardening tasks a
fun family affair.
In the catalog, we see new vegetables we may try and wonder if they'll
be successful in our area. The list of vegetables and flowers to order
could go on and on as we sit before the living room stove and dream and
plan for spring as we did in my childhood on the farm.
This makes it seem more likely that the colder days of winter soon will
be over and we can begin digging in the soil once again.
Sheila "I am a Christian Woman, a stay home homemaker and a Mom.
My interests: I love to knit, crochet, sew, embrodiery, and quilt. I play the piano, read music, I write Chrisitan poems and writings. I collect teddy bears, angels, hearts and butterflies."
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David Landreth, of Philadelphia, published one of the first seed
catalogs in America. He also operated a nursery and seed shop where he
produced many of the items shown in his catalog.
Tips for Selecting the Best Summer Fruit
Preserve and Display your Wedding Memories
Caring for Wicker Furniture