It's Spring so Let's Peruse the Seed Catalogues!

Park Seed Company,  Michigan Bulb Company, Henry Fields, Territorial Seed Company, Schrieners and Stark Bros. are catalogs shown here.

Despite the fact that Spring is officially here, we woke up to below freezing temperatures and a layer of snow and ice!  It seemed like the perfect day to sit down with my accumulated seed catalogs and place a few orders. 

I use the term "seed catalog" loosely.  There are catalogs for seeds, bulbs, flowers, plants and trees.  All of these colorful books that you see here are free!  Even if you have a very small container garden, there's something for everyone in these beautiful publications. 

This is what we woke up to this morning!  Hopefully tomorrow, the first entire day of Spring, the weather will be better.

Sitting with my coffee and my pile of seed catalogs warmed me up since the sun was nowhere to be found.  Catalogs from Schreiners, Raintree Nursery, St. Lawrence Nurseries,  Territorial Seed Company, The Growers Exchange and The Maine Potato Catalog from Wood Prairie Farm are shown here.

Catalogs from The Cook's Garden, Gurney's, Burpee, Four Seasons Nursery, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Stark Bros. are displayed here.

Does your town have a seed library?  I absolutely LOVE this concept.  You may join the Seed Savers Exchange or the Hudson Valley Seed Library.  Check individual websites for membership benefits.  Click here for the 2013 US Seed Library Directory and check with your local library to see if they offer one.  If they don't, consider starting one!

This is one of my all-time favorite covers.  The artwork is colorful and creative.  It immediately draws us in to open and enjoy.

I feel as though I could sit with him on the Old Granite Step for hours while we chat about our gardens!  Another favorite cover.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I don't like to cook!  I like to bake.  I appreciate, however, the use of home-grown vegetables, herbs and spices in the kitchen.  Love this cover too.

This is the first year I have received this catalog.  It is full of terrific information.

The photographs in these catalogs are always fun to look at on a dreary day.

YOU might not grow Jelly Melon in your garden, but you might know someone who will!

Make an educated decision and read all of the information offered to you in these informative booklets.

Garden tools and tips are also offered.

You might find a marvelous recipe too!

I ordered some iris bulbs from Schreiners last year.  Here are the beautiful results:

Remember, although it's convenient and exciting to order from a catalog, it's also a great idea to visit your local greenhouse!  Keep in mind that occasionally companies run out of the current catalog.  In that case,

you'll be put on the mailing list for next year.  Also, depending on where you reside, it may be too late to   plant certain things.  If you're unsure, check with the company you wish to purchase from.  They'll be more than happy to help!

Note - Another terrific source for heirloom seeds is Select Seeds.  Unfortunately the paper copy of their 2014 catalog is no longer available but you may shop on-line.