If January was unseasonably warm, February came in and reminded the PNW that sometimes winter does come. We went from days in the 50’s and balmy nights, that were leading to this in the greenhouse (and to Daffodils opening in January!) –

To warnings of snow storms coming. But the past decade the snow storms have petered out or just been icy cold.

The first wave was OK, and everyone was fine. After all, it wasn’t that bad. This is normal, that if it does snow, it melts quickly and little falls. Especially as low as we sit to sea level (and the open water). The boys were excited to finally use the sled that has now moved twice with us!

However I did cover everything in the greenhouse with frost fabric.

Which it turned out, was a good choice.

And the snow came. And stayed. And more came.

The little feral domestic black rabbit was down to eating blackberry leaves at one point. I took pity on it and fed it some old apples I had found. Between it and the deer, the apples were gone overnight.

But the sunsets and sunrises were amazing between the snow storms.

Then finally, after many days, it stopped and started to warm up a bit. We still have snow on the edge of the woods, where the sun doesn’t hit.

Once it was mostly gone we got into the woods, and started removing issue trees, a number of alders that were already dead or dying (this massive beast core was riddled by termites).

Then the other projects that had waited called to be done.

The dwarf Tom Thumb peas started coming up, tucked into the greenhouse. A side project I love doing is to plant in ground, and then in the greenhouse, and see which does faster – and by how much faster.

Slowly the herb seeds have come up. The front row is Marshmallow.

A big project was the berry garden/orchard that is now done.

There was a public seed swap on the south end of the island that was a lot of fun to go to, and I met more local folk. Some seeds I took from the farm.

I might have brought home some as well….

I donated a gift box to the raffle because everyone needs love for the hands!

I almost hauled off the big pots, that I had built a quick container garden in last Spring, right after we moved in. But then I thought about it. It was great for the kids. They loved being able to run out and pick carrots and peas. I added a 6th container, and got them all filled up, and planted cold weather crops for salads.

We got another large project done, the laying of the first sileage tarp on the lowest field.

It is 100 feet long by 40 feet wide. Once we get the large pile of trees and branches chipped in the foreground we will lay out the second tarp.

Next month we will roll it back, flame weed, then till the land, and most likely cover it again to smother weeds.

Pepper helping me plant pea seeds and getting trellis in position. The garlic is coming up nicely.

But yeah, March is here. Time to get to work. Daylight Savings Time is nearly here!

~Sarah

I have been asked a lot this year about what seed companies we do business with, and who we recommend. Our list of seed companies below contains notes – most are heirloom seed companies, but a few also sell F1 hybrid seeds. I personally have no issues with F1 seeds, you just cannot collect seeds from them is all.

Not every seed seller grows their seeds. Ask the company if you are concerned about this, and those who are ethical will tell you where they source from.

One of the more disturbing trends the past decade has been the buying up of smaller seed companies by the large players, just as it has played out in the food industry. A flow chart that shows how bad it is, that is already 6 years out of date: seedindustry.

Always follow the money. For example, Seeds of Change, an organic company that produces both food and seed, was bought out awhile back by Mars, Inc. Does it change them? That is open to discussion of course, but once the money is taken, the company is tainted. If that is all you can find to buy, then yes, buy it…but you’d do much better supporting a small company, that is family run – and supporting local economies. Even I have changed over the years – a few years back I still bought Burpee brand, which I no longer do. However, I won’t judge if it is all you can find (and if you have only big box stores to buy seeds at locally, you will nearly always see large displays for them). Because in the end, as long as you are gardening, that is what truly matters!

Baker Creek Seeds. Baker Creek is one of the biggest players in heirloom seeds and you cannot go wrong with supporting them. We have used them for years. One caveat though – read the days needed on the seeds. Some heirlooms just don’t do well in short summers, in a Northern area. For example, certain tomatoes may never fully ripen on Whidbey Island unless you have them in a hot-house.

Deep Harvest Farm. Their organic farm is less than a mile from us. I love what they do and their seeds are for sale on Whidbey Island in various stores. Support the truly local!

Uprising Seeds. Organic seeds based just outside of Bellingham, they grown many of their seeds – and they know who grew the rest. They carry a lot of unusual such as wheat seeds.

Territorial Seed. A Oregon based institution.

Seattle Seeds. It’s your local hipster seed store – and they sell a lot of truly cool things. If you urban garden, the packets of seeds won’t overwhelm you.

Ed Hume Seeds (F1 seeds) Having visited their seed company, it truly is a business run out of love for gardening. Their seeds rarely fail, even packets that have sat in a drawer for 5 years. Some of my favorite zucchini come from them. As well, if you want seeds that grow in ultrashort summers, this is THE company to buy from.

Johnny’s Seeds (F1 seeds) If you grow in large quantity, you will end up doing business with Johnny’s, especially if you are using a seeding machine or a paper pot transplanter.

Renee’s Garden Seeds. They sell some very fun options for the garden. They are based out of California.

Strictly Medicinal Seeds. This is the only place I buy herb seeds from now. From culinary, to medicinal, to rare and obscure, you will love their seeds. The company is run by amazing people who live for growing herbs and making the world a better place. Based out of Oregon.

High Mowing Seeds. Vermont based seed company.

Irish Eyes. They are an Eastern Washington (Ellensburg) seed company that often shows up in stores on the West side. Great company to buy from.

Adaptive Seeds. Oregon based, doing heirloom seeds. They grow most of their seed, and are open where the rest comes from.

And don’t forget to save seeds from your heirloom plants you have grown, and to participate in local seed swaps!

~Sarah