Growing Your Own Food From Seed | Seeds Needs Seed Company
Blooming Sage Plant in Mike’s Green Garden
Modern Food Choices
Society, as we know it today, is much different from that of our history. In years past people grew at least part of their own food. People would use their crops, livestock, and services to trade with each other and this bartering system kept most of the town in the food and supplies they needed. In modern times, we can buy any product from our local supermarket. However, foods grown for widespread distribution lack the flavor and nutritional value of the home garden.
More and more people have gone back to the days of growing their own food. This not only restores the values of the food, but it gives a sense of satisfaction to start with a seed and turn it into a living plant that can give us flavor and nutrition.
Herbs
There are many wonderful herbs that you can grow easily. The Beautiful Scarlet Sage or Salvia Wildflower is a favorite. This herb produces a lovely flower that can range in color from pink, to white, and to red. The flower draws hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. That in itself is a plus, but that is not the best part of Scarlet Sage. Scarlet Sage has a smokey flavor that is great in soups, salads, and as a seasoning for chicken, veal, pork, and other meats. It is easy to grow as long as it gets plenty of water.
Plant your herb garden indoors or out, but bring them inside if there is a threat of frost.
Rosemary thriving in Montana’s Winter Sunshine
Other herbs that you can plant in April (direct sow) from seed include:
- Chicory
- Chives
- Dill
- Parsley
Veggies you can direct sow in April
While April is still cool in some places, it is the perfect time to begin to direct sow some of your favorite vegetables. Here are some examples of vegetables you can go ahead and plant now:
- Lettuce (leaf)
- Carrots
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Begin planting in April and stagger the planting over a period of several weeks to enjoy a very long harvest
- Radishes
- Spring Onions
- Peppers
- Watercrest
Ensuring your harvest
If you want to harvest healthy plants, you must start with high-quality seeds. It is important that you plant fresh and disease-free seeds. This is why it is never a good idea to buy your seeds from large chain department stores. You have no way of knowing how long they have had the seeds and under what conditions the seeds have been stored. Stick with a seed distributor, that can provide good seeds and can answer questions regarding the variety of seeds you are purchasing.
Fertilizer
You are beginning your crop from seed. You are watching it grow from the garden to your dinner plate. It is important that you fertilize your plants with organic fertilizer. Do not add chemicals to your food and destroy your nutritional investment. Instead, consider kitchen compost. The nutrition from the compost will feed back into your plants. The circle of life is complete. However, if you do not have access to compost, there are organic products you can purchase that will give your plants the help they need without the chemicals you do not want.
Mike adding compost to improve the soil.
Now is the time to begin your spring garden. April veggies, plants, herbs, and flowers can be sewn right now. Your food will be bursting with flavor in a matter of weeks.
This article was submitted to the Organic Gardener Podcast by Seeds Needs
A Note From The Owner (from his about page)
First and foremost, I want to send a shoutout to all of my wonderful customers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for purchasing our products. It means the world to me when I notice people have interest in the products that I sell.
I started this hobby, which later blossomed into a business in 2006. Originally Seed Needs was my username on Ebay when I was only 15 years old. As time progressed and I got older, I began listing to other marketplaces around the web, such as Amazon, Etsy, Bonanza, and Walmart. I have learned so much from selling seeds over the years. Your kind words have given me inspiration to continue on with this business. Although the constructive criticism from a small majority is tough to hear sometimes, it has driven me to better my products and services. To this day I am committed to providing you all with a quality experience, and I can only hope that you will share our wonderful products with friends and family members.
Through the success of Seed Needs, I have been able to do so many wonderful things for people all over the world. One of which I am particularly proud of, is to be able to donate to 14 children in poverty stricken countries. Every month a donation is sent to provide them with food, education and medical treatment. (Update: Between myself and my family, we now donate to 25 children thanks to all of your continued orders and generosity! These children are sponsored through childfund.org and Compassion International.)
I hope to serve you all with top quality products for many years to come!
– James Everly, Owner of Seed Needs
About the author, Jackie Marie
I'm an artist and educator. I live at the "Organic Oasis" with my husband Mike where we practice earth friendly techniques in our garden nestled in the mountains of Montana.