tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post8821723524565078203..comments2024-03-04T20:37:43.516-08:00Comments on Noel's Garden Blog: Don't grow your own; get your credit card out instead! Noel Kingsburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09443137231998907024noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post-76059687440153190342016-03-21T18:13:01.213-07:002016-03-21T18:13:01.213-07:00I grow all my pollinator attracting annuals from s...I grow all my pollinator attracting annuals from seed since the ones at the nurseries are pumped full of pesticides but many people don't want to bother with grow lights, etc to start their own. I quite like having a mini-greenhouse in my basement. When I ordered one set of lights they came with a propane lighter. Apparently, the company assumed I was growing marijuana instead of zinnias. Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post-23401425000784599762016-03-21T07:40:26.481-07:002016-03-21T07:40:26.481-07:00I grow almost everything from seed, but that's...I grow almost everything from seed, but that's because I live in Italy and very few perennial or annual plants are available for sale where I live. However in defence of those who buy plants rather than seeds; how many times have you purchased seed, even from reputable sellers, and not one seed has germinated? It happens far to often; I read that for vegetable seed there is a regulation about what percentage of germination you should expect but for flower seed there is no guarantee at all. Sometimes buying a plant and allowing it to self seed or collecting to grow other years can be the safer option. Christinahttp://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post-28367306210897819592016-03-20T23:56:45.838-07:002016-03-20T23:56:45.838-07:00I completely agree, I am always amazed when I see ...I completely agree, I am always amazed when I see seedlings for sale such as Sweetpeas, Cosmos, Marigolds etc that will grow as soon as they see a bag of compost! RuthBChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18376750402939625809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post-61716820851225546062016-03-20T17:13:35.630-07:002016-03-20T17:13:35.630-07:00I agree with your concerns, Noel. But in their def...I agree with your concerns, Noel. But in their defense, beginning gardeners might not know which seeds are easy to sow directly, and which plants are easier to purchase already started. And let's be honest: seeds are mysterious and intimidating -- who understands by what magical process they germinate -- or don't germinate? Sowing seeds often seems like a vast leap of faith, paying money for something you toss into the winds and then walk away from. I'm forcing myself to try growing more things from seeds this year (like petunias, which I have my doubts about -- only about a third have germinated, and who knows what will happen between now and May...?). But as far as I'm concerned, the more options beginning gardeners have, the better. I do share your concern that gardening knowledge is becoming so specialized that home gardeners will soon be afraid to start anything from seed -- but the specialization started long before now, and is likely part of the societal change from rural to urban life that none of us can do much about. -BethGarden Fancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post-24858797431503148212016-03-20T15:25:30.998-07:002016-03-20T15:25:30.998-07:00Nice blog Noel. I'm always amazed to see Nastu...Nice blog Noel. I'm always amazed to see Nasturtiums sold as plugs! Literally the easiest plants to grow. <br /><br />I enjoy growing from seed, and if I could, I would propagate every plant we have. Which I can do most of the time, but due to lack of space sometimes I just go for the grown plant. <br /><br />It certainly feels like growing plants is one of the life skills that has gradually been lost. I think it is coming back though, I hope so. Jack Wallingtonhttp://www.jackwallington.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5223294603002782762.post-59981324806517550922016-03-20T15:25:08.762-07:002016-03-20T15:25:08.762-07:00Nice blog Noel. I'm always amazed to see Nastu...Nice blog Noel. I'm always amazed to see Nasturtiums sold as plugs! Literally the easiest plants to grow. <br /><br />I enjoy growing from seed, and if I could, I would propagate every plant we have. Which I can do most of the time, but due to lack of space sometimes I just go for the grown plant. <br /><br />It certainly feels like growing plants is one of the life skills that has gradually been lost. I think it is coming back though, I hope so. Jack Wallingtonhttp://www.jackwallington.comnoreply@blogger.com