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Dear <<First Name>>,
I'm still content with our deep pack of lovely snow, both for cross-country skiing and a nice blanket for our plants. The big melt will arrive soon though, so we might as well pull out the seed box and make some plans!
I often get asked if I have started seeds... I have not, because I don't grow my own peppers or leeks from seeds, and it's still rather early for other veggies. If you come to a Seed exchange event below, I will share a handout with dates for starting vegetable seeds.
Update on Two Interesting Plants
In October I reported on my experiments with Sweet Potatoes (see archive here). We enjoyed many  of the small roots that traveled quite far and wide in my raised garden bed. I was not sure I would repeat my efforts. Until some of the smaller roots started sprouting in January... So I've decided to give it another try and pot them up. I will plant the slips into a very large black planter in late May. I'm hoping the extra heat might produce larger roots. Below, I have listed some companies that ship sweet potato slips - you will need to decide very soon as they will sell out!
In May, I also wrote about Ground Nut (see archive here), an edible perennial root that fixes nitrogen. Similar to my sweet potatoes, the roots of this plant wandered widely and it was a bit of a challenge to track them all down. Ground nut is a fairly large plant that can ramble on a tomato cage. The flowers are not overly showy but very similar to peas, except more clustered and pinkish. I had a few handfuls of roots about 3-4 cm in diameter (see photos below) and many more smaller than that. We roasted them with oil in the oven, and they have a lovely nutty taste - if you don't mind the slightly rough skin that is almost impossible to remove. Considering the size of the plant and the wandering habit of the roots, I think this plant is more suited to larger gardens or in a "wild space". Since it is supposed to overwinter in our climate, the plant could colonize an area and would be a bit of a challenge to remove if necessary. I am a bit hesitant to let it "invade" my landscape. If you are keen to try, let me know and I can share some small roots.
Events
Seedy Saturday - March 10 - Stony Plain, 10-3 pm, PERC Building (gymnasium) 5413-51 Street, Stony Plain
Facebook event
Seedy Sunday - March 17 - Edmonton Seedy Sunday, 11-4 pm
Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre, 11113-113 St, Edmonton
Presentation by Claudia: Container Gardening at 12:30 pm
Website and Schedule
Edmonton Home & Garden Show - Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands) - March 22-25
Presentation by Claudia: Spiral Gardens Tips and Tricks - Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 pm
Website and Schedule
I will be giving away some TICKETS at the seed events - please email and I will let you know if I have spares.
Seed Companies
Check out these prairie seed companies. I have added three other listings specifically for sweet potato slips, if you're keen to experiment along with me.
Alberta
A'bunadh Seeds
Broadview Farm
Casey's Heirloom Tomatoes
Eagle Creek Seed Potatoes - seed potatoes
EarthApples - seed pontatoes
Harmonic Herbs - veggies, grains, herbs
Wildrose Heritage Seed Company
Manitoba
Heritage Harvest Seed
Lindenberg Seeds Ltd
Sage Garden Greenhouses
Saskatchewan
Mumm's Sprouting Seed - seeds for microgreens and sprouts
Prairie Garden Seeds
Sweet Potato Slips
Burts Greenhouses (ON)
Gelert Garden Farm (ON)
Sage Garden Greenhouses (MN) - not ready for slips at the moment
Mapple Farm (NB) - sold out already, make sure to order early next year
Veseys (PEI)
Happy garden planning,
Claudia Bolli, Wild Green Garden Consulting www.wildgreen.ca
If you would like help with your plans, please contact me for a consultation or design, claudia@wildgreen.ca.
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