A Seed Saver's Garden

[heirloomgal]

Well, my conscience is eased somewhat now. As I was pulling out my dead clematis vine this evening I took one last look around the mulched base to see if I could see rot, which I had assumed was the cause of death via too much love inspired watering. And voila, there it was. A vole tunnel right into the root ball. So it wasn't me afterall. Darn vermin. Seems like there is always some animal/pest issue to be contended with in the garden game. I usually accept mild irritations as par for the course, but this year I've really had it with bothersome creatures.

I'm vicariously living through a gardening friend today, who has been having the worst groundhog problem I've ever heard of. There is so many at her plot that they make a symphony of clicking noises as she works, she sees them as she drives in. They have been eating tons of her stuff, and even though she's a vegan she's had it. She found some gas sticks today and that was that. If only things were always so simple.

 

[Triffid]

OK this celery discussion has piqued my interest. I wonder though if everyone is having an easy time getting seed crops from it because your climates are milder and summers are longer than mine? I've always felt that celery seed was out of reach to me for that reason, but maybe I made assumptions about it that I shouldn't have.

I'm not sure about their winter hardiness, which could be an issue, but I don't recall the seed being late to harvest. Celery is prone to bolting in its first year if the seedlings experience a bout of cold. Could be a way to get them to flower for pest/pollinator benefits without worrying about winter survivial