Bachelor on the Cheap

By Mike Thayer

Even during the winter months there is the joy of gardening.

Today I'm taking some time to flip through some seed catalogs, making the joyful determinations on the fruits, flowers and veggies I want to add to my homestead haven in 2023.

I've got Burpee, Breck's, Gurney's and a half dozen or so others to thumb through.  What's available can really vary from one catalog to another, one nursery having more herbs than another; one company stronger on bulbs over others; one catalog featuring more accessories than the competition.  Then there's pricing and shipping (delivery schedule & cost) to consider.

While having fun doing that, I also put together a little weather average chart for 2023 for my planting zone 6B neck of the woods.  It's a handy tidbit of information, especially when setting plants out in the spring, using a cold frame and/or covering plants in the fall.

I'll be adding some more raised beds to my landscape this year.  The older I get, the more I appreciate them.  They're much easier on the knees, visually appealing and it's easier to extend the growing season with them.

Getting those raised beds in place before the last frost takes place is my goal and starting plants from seed will be key to a solid spring planting in those new beds.

Let's see...  those Vivacious Tomatoes look good, and the Burpless Beauty Cucumbers, I need Caladium, Coleus, some Nasturtium would be nice...

What is your favorite catalog?

Have a great 2023 garden season!

Coming Soon:  A store-bought plants vs. starting your own plants from seed article.