To plant a garden is to have hope for the future

Why yes, I have been growing my hair out!

Right now, it seems like spring is just a far off promise. The cardinal in our yard is singing his little heart out, but I'm still looking at my winter boots.

After spending so much time indoors, with recycled indoor air and way less sunlight all winter long I go searching for things to remind me that there is still hope for spring.

Can you tell that I'm getting a little squirrel-y? 

Enter Canada Blooms 2014. Canada's largest annual horticultural and floral exhibition always lifts my spirits. Being married to landscape construction-turned-horticultural wizard, we always make the show a priority. I just love the earthy smells, the colors of fresh hyacinths and tulips, the giddy energy in the air and the incredible walk-through displays. My favorite part however is picking seeds!

In general, we try to aim for plants that are not super high-maintenance, and are drought, mildew and heat resistant with good yields. Last year we had a beautiful crop of Red Russian Kale from Urban Harvest. A Canadian company known for carrying a large selection of heirloom fruit, vegetable, herb and flower varieties, all of their seeds are also 100% organic certified. As much as I like to support my local greenhouses, I love knowing that I am helping to encourage organic producers to carry older, unique varieties rather than the standard few varieties you typically see in commercial seedlings. From a political point of view, small companies and individuals growing and saving unique cultivars decrease the absolute dependence on government and large-scale seed companies for supplying most (if not all) seeds for home and commercial food production. I always liked to go against the grain.

This year, we are trying our hand at Red Hot Rocket peppers, Lipstick sweet peppers, Tiny Tim cherry tomatoes, Eva Purple Ball tomatoes, Black Beauty zucchini, spaghetti squash, Pumpkin Winter Luxury Pie, Cippolini Yellow onions, Buttercrunch lettuce and a 5 Mustard Green Mix (including 
Mizuna, Arugula, Tatsoi, Red Mustard). We will also be giving our favorite kale a large reprise - it's just so good in salads, stir fries and smoothies!

If you are interested in growing your own garden and are looking for some inspiration, check out this awesome video - Roger Doiron - A Subversive Plot: How to Grow a Revolution in Your Own Backyard. I watch it every spring to get fired up about my own small revolution.

Happy dreaming!

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My haul from Urban Harvest. I can't wait to plant them all!