#hlu

Happy Winter Star! This was my gift to Jessie Lightyear for our gift exchange event over on the Harvey discord server. She's the creator of the lovely farmer, Natalie! She spent her life working on Jojaway (Broadway!), but with her contract coming to an end, she seeks more beyond the stage. An outcast from her family, Natalie unexpectedly inherits her grandpa's farm... and encounters a certain town doctor! Read her fic here ->

I read “Hoe Fairy Literacy/Cinematic universe” and laughed so hard I scared my dog 😭💖 thank you babe, you hoes literally make my day

Today’s Horticulture Learning Unit is about seed companies.

Below is a list of reputable companies and shops I use when looking for fruit and vegetable, heirloom flower, and herb seeds. Some of the listed also have garden supplies, tools, beneficial insects, and live plant starts.

I always use a few companies that grow in climates similar to mine. I find using seed companies located in the Pacific Northwest and Maritime Northwest to be more successful in my garden. Purchasing seeds that are accustomed to your climate can help in getting a jump start/extending your growing season. I tend to lean away from seed companies that are located in areas which have tropical or desert climates since the Maritime Northwest is on the opposite end of the scale. However, that does not mean that there aren’t some fantastic seed sellers in those areas.

**Pacific Northwest Specific (WA, OR, CA)

Seed Companies

Seed Savers Exchange

Territorial Seed Company**

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Johnnys Selected Seeds

Park Seed

Filaree Garlic Farm**

Heirloom Onions

Urban Farmer

Siskiyou Seeds**

High Mowing Organic Seeds

Victory Seed Company**

Seeds Trust/High Altitude Seeds

Sustainable Seed Company

Seattle Seed Company**

Heritage Harvest Seed

Seeds of Change**

Gourmet Seed International**

Today’s Horticulture Learning Unit is on the topic of soil structure in your raised planting beds.

Here in the Maritime Northwest, we see constant rainy Winters and Springs. This rain, paired with the Pacific Oceans influence on the climate, causes our soil to be slightly acidic with an average pH of 6.0. Most garden vegetables won’t mind a pH of this number, however, if one wanted to have their soil a true neutral they could amend their soil with mature compost.

According to the Tilth Allience, “A gram of healthy soil is home to as many as 500 million beings: bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, yeasts, protozoa, algae, etc.*” We as gardener’s try to maintain and assist these organisms by keeping our soils healthy and balanced with the right nutrients and amendments.

When early Spring comes around, it’s time to assess your planting soil and determine the structure and if it needs any amendments. There are generally four (4) soil types.

Clay: heavy, compact soils. Clay soil is rich in nutrients and is very fertile. Retains all water and in summer, will dry out and crack. Slow to warm up.

Sand: light soils lacking in moisture retention. Dries out, drains, and warms up quickly. Usually very acidic and lacking in nutrients. Sandy soil can wash away easily by heavy rains.

Silt: fertile soils with a silky texture. Silt soil drains quickly and holds moisture, but compacts easily if pressed or stepped on.

Loam: a mixture of clay, sandy, and silt soils. Moisture retentiave, fertile, holds its shape, and is easily worked with. Loamy soils are preferred for raised beds.

How can you tell if you have a balanced loamy soil? (Preform this test in sunny weather and not immediately after rain.) Go out into the garden and grab a handful of soil from approximately 1-2 inches beneath the surface. Squeeze it into your hand to form a ball like mass. Toss the compacted soil into the air and catch it in the palm of your hand.

If the mass breaks apart and crumbles in the air (or even in your hand before tossing), you might have too much sand in your soil.

If the mass stays intact and does not break when it hits the palm of your hand (or even splats like mud), you might have too much clay or silt in your soil.

If the mass stay intact in the air, and breaks apart into clumps when it hits the palm of your hand, you have a more balanced soil.

Of course, this simple test is an old farmers trick. If you want a in depth test, you can send a sample of your soil to a soil testing facility. They will be able to give you a in depth report of your soils structure, fertility, and nutrients. The photo below** lists a few soil testing facilities for the Maritime Northwest area.

Cited Sources

*Elliott, Carl, et al. The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide: Planning Calendar for Year-Round Organic Gardening. Seattle Tilth, 2012.