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This 'n That
A favourite book that after a long absence
has recently come back into print in paperback is SEEDS; Growing, History & Lore, by Peter Loewer.
A great book to watch for, it is a fascinating and entertaining look at the people obsessed with new plants and the science of seed germination. A
wonderful collection of stories. Here’s a short piece from one of them that any seed starter
will enjoy. Within the book it's in the context of a discussion of what makes for a good
potting mix for seed starting.
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“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up
where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed.
Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am
prepared to expect wonders”
Henry D. Thoreau, from FAITH IN A SEED
What is it that is so
magical and wondrous about seed? Perhaps it is that it all starts here – the promise that spring WILL come - new plants to fill gaps in the perennial bed - cheerful flowers for the wedding bouquet in July - tomatoes for
an August family picnic. Such possibilities in those tiny packages!
Last year's garden and the entire season ahead is all imagined clearly in those few
quiet winter moments when those little peat pots are filled with soil from last
year's compost pile and planted up with new seed. The circle complete. Secrets, dreams, and
promises for the future both near and distant wrapped up safely in tight shiny
coats.
Sowing seed is an act of confidence in new beginnings, a bountiful future, and that our faith in some things still being simple and sure is not unfounded. When we have “faith in a seed”, all seems possible.
Evelyn
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. . . an excerpt from
SEEDS, discussing the "best" potting
soil mix for seed starting,
by Karl Capek!
“Some people say that charcoal should be added, and others deny it; some recommend a dash of yellow sand because it is supposed to contain iron, while others warn you against it for the very fact that it does contain iron. Others again, recommend clean river sand, others peat alone, and still others sawdust. In short, the preparation of the soil for seeds is a great mystery and a magic ritual. To it should be added marble dust (but where to get it?), three-year-old cow dung (here it is not clear whether it should be the dung of a three-year-old cow or a three year old heap), a handful from a fresh molehill, clay pounded to dust from old pigskin boots, sand from the Elbe (but not from the Vltabva), three year old hotbed soil, and perhaps besides the humus from the golden fern and a handful from the grave of a hanged
virgin. All that should be well mixed (gardening books do not say whether at the new moon, or full, or on midsummer night); and when you put this mysterious soil into flower pots (soaked in water, which for three years have been standing in the sun, and on whose bottoms you put pieces of boiled crockery, and a piece of charcoal, against the use of which other authorities, of course, express their opinions) – when you have done all that, and so obeyed hundreds of prescriptions, principally contradicting each other, you may begin the real business of sowing seeds.”
Karel Capek, 1936, as it appears in Peter Loewer’s SEEDS
SOME BOOKS ON SEED STARTING TO WATCH FOR -
MAKING MORE PLANTS, by Ken Druse. All of Druse’s books are beautifully photographed, innovative views of gardens and gardening, and this time he turns his inquisitive mind, his camera lens, and his unique eye for simple beauty, to plant propagation. Basic botany has never been presented more beautifully. A visually stunning book that illustrates details on techniques and methods, with a master list of propagation recommendations for 700 genera of plants. Druse has turned a practical topic into something that appeals to all of the senses in a must own book - whether you wish to propagate plants or not! 196pgs / 8 ½ x 11 / colour photos throughout / $74.95hc
~ | GARDEN FLOWERS FROM SEED by Christopher Lloyd & Graham Rice. Experience advise and delightful disagreements in the format of a dialogue between these two giants of the gardening world. A witty and informative book on how to germinate and tend the seeds of over 230 genera of perennials and annuals. 276pgs / 6 x 9 / $27.95pb
~ | FROM SEED TO BLOOM, by Eileen Powell. In a user friendly format with line drawings of each plant, this book gives details on growing over 500 annuals, perennials and herbs. This is my most often requested book on starting flowers from seed since it is recommended by many seed companies and other gardeners. A nice feature of the book is that it lists virtually all common names each plant goes by as well as its Latin. 312pgs / 8 1/2 x 11 / line drawings throughout / $31.95pb
~ | CREATIVE PROPAGATION: A Grower’s Guide, by Peter Thompson. A thorough book on all methods of plant propagation from seed to cuttings, layering, etc. Chapters on annuals, bulbs, perennials, trees, shrubs, roses, conifers, heathers, and alpines – with detailed lists indicating individual method preferences. A simple, unflashy book, jam-packed with information. Detailed drawings demonstrate many of the techniques. 220pgs / 6 x 9 ¼ /$29.95pb
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