Edible or Ornamental +free seeds
Last fall I won a photo contest over at Renee’s Garden and they sent me a gift certificate *awesome*. What’s better than winning a gift certificate to a fabulous seed catalog? (I decide to share my winnings, see below for your chance to win some free Renee’s Garden seeds)
I was looking through the on-line catalog trying to decide what I wanted to order and I noticed that I’m definitely drawn to edible things, mostly vegetables and herbs. I have a few annual plants I start, mostly alyssum and zinnias, but I’m definitely a perennial gardener when it comes to blooming plants (or things that self-seed readily without my help).
I’ll definitely be ordering ‘Catalina’ spinach as it has done beautifully in my garden, the ‘Italian Aromatic’ sage was fab in my Thanksgiving meal, and I’m really loving my pot of ‘Amsterdam’ seasoning celery for winter soups and stews. I was also very happy with the ‘Romanesco’ zucchini, isn’t it a beauty?
So far on my list of seed to order I have:
‘All-Season’ broccoli
‘Endeavor’ kirby pickle
‘Trieste’ bulbing fennel
‘Crispy Winter Salad’ greens
‘Summer Bouquet’ lettuce trio
‘Ruby and Emerald’ container lettuce
‘Merveille De Quatre Saisons’ heirloom lettuce
‘Jewel Tones’ peppers
‘Delicious Duo’ scallions
‘Summer Perfection’ spinach
and one of the shaker cans of California Poppies to try on my back hillside, which is plagued with terribly dry lean soil. I think I’ll buy a few flowering seeds, maybe the 3 different kinds of allysum they have and some nasturtiums (also edible) and those window box sweet peas are adorable, perhaps I’ll get those to dress up my garage window!
Of course I didn’t want to keep all these lovely seeds to myself, so I’ll be giving three packs of Renee’s Garden seeds of your choice to one lucky reader. For your chance to win, head over to Renee’s Garden and choose 3 varieties of vegetables, flowers or herbs that you’d like to grow and list them in the comments below. If you win I’ll order your choice of seeds along with my order, I’ll choose a winner on Friday. We have a WINNER! 
Congratulations! Head on over to Morgan’s blog Grounded and read about things like: making your own seed balls, how to build a worm bin and what life is like in Southern California.
What do you grow most of, ornamental or edible?
For anyone interested Renee’s Garden if offering 10% off your entire order until Jan 31, 2011 with code: EARLYBIRD
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86 Comments to “Edible or Ornamental +free seeds”
About
This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.
Because of my limited time and very limited growing space, I concentrate almost entirely on edibles inside the house and in the garden. I do though try to make the most of pretty edibles – cute berry bushes, blue-flowered borage, brightly coloured chard etc. I always have them near the seating area or in clear view of there – not just for us but for our neighbours who overlook the same area.
to louisa @ TheReallyGoodLife's comment
Hi Susy! I have been following your blog for a few months, but am a first time commenter. I’m hoping to branch out in my garden this year, so I’ve chosen 3 things totally unfamiliar to me:
Arugula “Rustic”
Borage
Chervil “Fancy French”
Hope I win! Thanks for keeping me entertained, informed, and curious by your daily insights.
to Mavis's comment
Hello!
I enjoy your great photographs.
Here are my choices:
Cabbage, Baby Pixie
Cucumber, Bush Slicer
Lettuce, Summer Bouquet
Thanks,
Phillip
to Phillip's comment
good day all, and congrats on winning the photo contest! its jan 24 and i have all my seed orders sent already (lol) so making 3 choices that are different for me, 1. hibiscus herbal tea, Zinger (would be nice for the winters) 2. kale, Heirloom Lacinato (eating greens is hard to do!!) and 3. celery, Amsterdam Seasoning (never heard of this type before). Trying these would be a bit of an adventure for me, both the growing and the eating :) Happy Growing Season
to julie b's comment
I must say as Spring draws ever closer the gardening juices start to flow don’t they? I know mine sure do. I have been planning all winter long. My three picks are as follows:
Cucumber, English “Chelsea Prize”
Radish, “Crimson Crunch”
Squash, Dark Green Zucchini, “Raven”
We just received another 3 or 4 inches of snow so it doesn’t look much like garden weather yet. I just keep reminding myself that Spring is only 56 days until Spring and count down continues.
Have a great give away day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
Broccoli, “All Season Blend” (because we eat Broccoli all the time)
Peppers, “Jewel Tone Sweet Bells” (because they are so hard to get/expensive in stores)
Kale, Heirloom, “Lacinato” (because I just tried this variety of Kale last week and it was delicious)
to J's comment
Hello,
I always enjoy your posts. Good luck on your garden this year, and thanks for the generous offer. We have the space so we grow edibles and ornamentals on our farm.
I pick:
Beets, Golden
Zinnia, Pixie Sunshine
Hollyhock, Indian Spring
Thanks,
Ken
to Ken Toney's comment
I grow mostly edibles, but I love the look of zinnias and cosmos mixed in with the veges. And since I have the room…
Zinnias – Blue Point
Zinnias – Green Envy
Zinnias – Granny’s Bouquet
Thanks! :-)
to KimP's comment
Hi! I’ve thought about buying from Renee’s seeds since you mentioned them a while back and I liked the idea of buying heirloom seeds for my small garden plot this year. They also caught my attention since my name is Renee :)
I’m heading to work now but will definitely spend some time at lunch or later tonight poring over the catalog to pick out 3 varieties. Thanks so much for sharing!
to Renee's comment
I’m getting increasingly interested in gourds and pumpkins and I’ve only grown eggplants once in my life, so I’d like to try a few more of these!
Pumpkin, “Cinderella’s Carriage”
Gourds, Large, “Crafter’s Mix”
Eggplant, “Italian Trio”
to Daedre Craig's comment
I definitely would like to try the Cool Crayon Color Zinnias, the Rose Bon Bon Cosmos, and the Mailbox Mix Morning Glory…
to Michelle's comment
I’m definitely like you in that I prefer growing edibles and any flowers tend to be perennials though I’m just starting to learn how to save annual flower seeds (last year I saved loads of morning glories and some 4 o’clocks to sew again this year).
Renee’s has such a lovely variety of everything! I think I’d like to try:
Echinacea Purpurea “Starlight”
Carnation “Enfant de Nice”
Salpiglossis “Stained Glass” (which may just be some of the prettiest flowers there!)
to Kelly's comment
Thank you for sharing your good fortune! I would select Chamomile, Borage, and water cress. Mmmm.
to Annette's comment
How nice!
Amy
http://goatpod2.wordpress.com
to goatpod2's comment
If I won I’d love Strawberry Alpine Mignonette, Tomatoes Red and Yellow Mini Pear, and Globe Amaranth Mardi Gras. What a nice contest! Thanks for sharing!
to Anne's comment
Last year was our first for a garden, mostly edible plants. I’ve enjoyed following along with your blog for inspiration. Helps me remember that even with all this snow, spring isn’t really all that far off!
Peppers, Mini Salad, “Baby Belle”
Mache,”Gala”
Radish, “Watermelon”
to Dixie's comment
What a difficult choice to make!
May three would be:
“Endeavor” cucumber
“Heirloom Cutting Mix” lettuce
“Summer Perfection” spinach
to Karen's comment
What a neat giveaway; thanks for the opportunity! I’d choose: Sweet Marjoram, b/c I put it on almost everything I cook. Sweet Green Basil, b/c I’d love to make pesto from scratch. And Gourmet “Mixed Greens” Cat Treats, b/c hopefully it would keep my Figaro away from the Basil and Marjoram :)
to Melanie J.'s comment
I’m like you, preferring to grow edibles over flowers. But I have always loved flowers, I’m just not a master as the flower garden design, so I spend less time there. Plus, I enjoy harvesting produce more than looking at flowers!
There’s a few new things I’d like to grow in the garden this year:
1. Chard “Bright Lights”
2. Pak Choi “Green Fortune”
3. Kale “Lacinato”
to Kaytee's comment
I’m renting a garden plot this summer since we live in an apartment. I ordered beans and peas from Seedsavers.org on Saturday- using a gift certificate my mom gave me :-) Here are the seeds I’d like from Renee’s Garden
Onions, Scallions, “Delicious Duo
Radish, “Crimson Crunch”
Peppers, Container, “Pizza”
to LB's comment
I would love to grow:
Zinnia, Bling Bling
Celery, Amsterdam Seasoning
Squash, Zucchini, Tricolor Mix
Beautiful!
to Kirsten Serrano's comment
I grow mostly edible but I am trying to change that by starting some safe-for-kitties houseplant action.
to melissa's comment
We grow mostly edible plants, though when we moved into our home we inherited tons and tons of perennial beds that we love. My picks would be:
Cabbage, Baby “Pixie”
Zinnia, “Cut & Come Again”
Chamomile, “Bodegold”
Thanks for sharing your plenty.
to Denise's comment
I ordered most of my new seeds last week, but my dill last year was so sad, I need to throw out the seed package and try from scratch again. Along with the dill, here are a few other plants I’d love to try this year:
Dill, “Dukat”
Tomatoes, “Rainbow’s End Heirloom Mix”
Onions, Scallions, “Parade”
Thanks for the giveaway!
to Kat's comment
Years ago I was only into flower gardening…then one day my husband’s grandfather said, “Why bother with flowers? What a waste of good dirt! You can’t eat them!” It changed my view of gardening forever. That next summer I began to teach myself how to grow food…along with a few phone calls to Grandpa Fred for guidance.
Grandpa Fred has since gone to Heaven…and I am still gardening. I think of him whenever I am choosing seeds…digging in the dirt…wish I could still call him for advice.
Anyway…a long story to say simply, I prefer to grow edibles! And I’d love to win some seeds! I would choose Heirloom tomato, Red and Yellow Mini Pear; Heirloom tomato, Summer Feast; and Heirloom Lettuce, Cut Again Mesclun.
Thank you for the chance!
to Michelle's comment
This is Renee from the 10:04am comment.
The varieties I’d like to try are:
-Spinach, Baby Leaf, “Catalina”
since I haven’t tried growing spinach yet but would like to
-Tomatoes, Heirloom ” Summer Feast”
I’d love to try heirloom tomatoes! I buy them at the Farmer’s market & love the taste!
-Carrot, Gourmet, “Round Romeo”
remember my carrots? http://www.flickr.com/photos/59064186@N00/4813667421/
OR
-Peppers, Mini Salad, “Baby Belle”
(you pick, I can’t decide!)
Thanks!!
to Renee's comment
Edible most always.
Golden Beets
Musicbox Sunflowers
Round Romeo Carrots
Congratulations on your prize and thanks for sharing.
to MAYBELLINE's comment
Great giveaway!! I do mostly edible, but I’m working on creating a potager garden and so I’m adding some flowers this year. I’d love to try…
“Summer Feast” Heirloom Tomatoes
“Black Watchman” Hollyhocks
“Blue Mirror” Delphinium
to Amy @ Homestead Revival's comment
I plant a big veggie garden and have flower beds as well, mostly perennial flowers with a few annuals thrown in. These would be my choices:
Nicotiana, “Jasmine Alata”
Spinach, “Summer Perfection”
Runner Bean, “Magic Beanstalk”
Thanks and I love your blog!
to Jennifer's comment
Oh my! My very favorite place to order seeds from….
I like…
“Tricolor Bush” beans
“Raggedy Ann” zinnias
“Circus Circus” carrots
It is so nice of you to share!
I looked at the picture you took. It is very beautiful!
Blessings from Kansas!
Gail
to Gail's comment
Thanks for the chance at seeds— I keep planting more and more each year, and need to find more room! I tried eggplant for the first time lats year, but didn’t have any luck with them. I’d like to try again this year.
My three choices are:
Eggplant–“Italian Trio”
Zucchini–“Romanesco”
Squash–“Delicata & Butternut”
Thanks again!
to Tommy's comment
Lace Mantle Sweet William
Lettuce, Asian Baby Leaf Mix
Larkspur Imperial Alouette
to Andrea's comment
Well now this is an easy contest for me to enter, I’ve been going over Renee’s Website for a few weeks now getting inspiration for the spring!
Here are three at the top of my wishlist:
Hibiscus “Herbal Tea” (I would love to grow my own roselle tea!)
Eggplant, Container “Little Prince” (How cute are these!)
Sweet Peas, Fragrant, “Zinfandel”
:)
to Meighan's comment
You are so generous! Thanks for the opportunity. I love the catalogue and will spend many hours browsing there. :-)
Celery, “Amsterdam Seasoning”
Hibiscus, Herbal Tea “Zinger ”
Watercress, “English”
I chose 3 things I have never tried growing…crossing fingers now! :-)
Janet
to Janet Anderson's comment
Ah, Susy, you’re the best!
My three wishes would be:
Hibiscus, herbal tea (a local Mexican restaurant makes delicious hibiscus-flavored tea and lemonade and I’m itching to try to copy it)
Catalina Spinach
Tomatillo
Fingers crossed!
to Morgan G's comment
I mostly grow ornamental flowers, but I get flowers that are good for birds. I would love:
Poppy “Heirloom Pepperbox”
Hibiscus Herbal Tea “Zinger”
Zinnia “Scarlet Flame”
Thanks
to Grant's comment
temptation, temptation…
for me it would be
1. Peas, “Super Sugar Snap”,
2. Thyme, “French” and
3. Lettuce, Container, “Ruby & Emerald Duet”.
and as they don’t send outside the us & canada… :-)
Susanne
to Susanne's comment
I’m a veggie gardener too.
Broccoli – All season blend
Lettuce – Container Garden Babies
Runner Beans – Magic Beanstalk
to Andrea's comment
I also usually choose veggies over flowers. This year I’m trying really hard to stick to things that are best suited for our garden’s location and our climate. I would choose:
Broccoli–“All Season Blend”
Lettuce–Romaine Caesar Duo
Radishes–“Crimson Crunch”
Thanks!
to Wendy's comment
I don’t grow anything that we can’t eat. We have a wonderful vegetable garden, but I love my herbs….I’d love to try the Hibiscus, edible poppies and broccoli raab.
to kits's comment
I am searching for info on edible seedlings. Can you eat tomato seedlings that have been thinned? They smell so good, I want to, but am a little afraid. Please HELP!
to kits's comment
I would plant “any” of the beneficial insect seeds. I planted Borage last year for the first time and it attracted lots of bees. I haven’t seen a category for this before….love it!
to Liz J's comment
I’m definitely a veggie gardener. My flower beds are mostly perennials.
The seeds that look interesting to me are: Lacinto Kale, Catalina Spinach and Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil (I love the smell of lemon basil!).
to Heather's comment
How awesome! I’d love to try:
1. Tomatoes, Heirloom ” Summer Feast”
2. Beans, Pole, “Rattlesnake & Purple”
3. Sage, “Italian Aromatic”
Thanks for sharing your winnings!
to Vivian's comment
Mostly edibles. It has to be REALLY pretty to be grown and not profit me anything!
Summer Scallop Trio Squash
Oregon Giant Snow Pea
Sugar Pearls Early White Corn
to Jerilee Costa's comment
Well, it was tough. I narrowed it down to three (just barely). First, the Edamame. I love it and only Walmart carries it (frozen) in my area. Yuck. I also would love to try the Baby Persian Cucs. I love the baby variety of dill pickles in grocery stores and want to try making my own this summer. And lastly, the Italian Pesto Basil, because, c’mon! Basil! Pesto! Yuummmm.
to Carrie's comment
This is hard! My three choices are:
Sage, “Italian Aromatic”
Chamomile, “Bodegold”
Sunflower, Edible, “Snack Seed”
to Selah's comment
Ronde de Nice-Squash
Sunflower-Chocolate Cherry
Sunflower-Container junior
Thanks so much!!
to Andrea's comment
Thanks for your wonderful blog.
I would choose super sugar snap peas, Italian Pompeii plum tomatoes and soy beans (edamame)
Thanks
to Candace's comment
So sweet of you to share!
My choices
Squash, Crookneck, “Supersett” (wouldn’t be summer w/out squash)
Cucumber, “Bush Slicer” (a favorite summer veggie)
Peppers, “Jewel Tone Sweet Bells” (color coded seed? Wow!)
Thanks!
to bonnie's comment