Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Name that Theme! (....and win a prize!)

Can you guess the name of the person that my vegetable garden pays tribute to this year?   Having a theme helps me narrow down the overwhelming selection of seeds that we're bombarded with this time of year. While I was seed shopping last week, I realized how much I love growing mixes. I love variety, color and the challenge of identifying the produce. I like the suspense and mystery. I wanted a more literary theme for the garden this year, since last year's was musical, and I wanted to honor a woman this time. Contenders included Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor and Laura Ingalls Wilder. When I thought about the array of plants that I want to grow this year, though, one little book came to mind, and one illustration in particular that is very close to my heart. Now I'm going to show you the drawing and a bit of text from this very special little book.

"In a garden, all the flowers are different colors....
but they live happily together side by side"


Ringing any bells?  Think Good Housekeeping magazine circa 1979....

Now I'm going to show you my seed order which might help you with a few clues. (I never got around to requesting catalogs from all those who took the Safe Seed Pledge like I intended. I didn't do all the research I promised myself I would. I ended up going with my two old favorites: Baker Creek and John Scheepers. Then I got the Abundant Life catalog, read up on their mission, and decided to spread the love.)

From Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Red meat radish, Sweet Dumpling winter squash, Five Color Chard, Sungold Select II Tomato; Big Rainbow Tomato, Stevia, Japanese Long Cucumber; Cimmaron Lettuce, Drumhead Savoy Cabbage

From John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
Rainbow Cauliflower, Rainbow Radish, Lovely Lettuce Mesclun blend; Tuscan Kale blend, Super Snap Pea; Sweet 100 Tomato, Alpine Strawberry, Bob's Pumpkin Mix, Arugula

From Abudant Life
Red Okra, Cippolini Onion, Red Ruffles Pepper, DiCicco Broccoli, Wild Mix Ornamental Kale; Goldy Summer Squash, Brush Delicata; Butternut Squash; Black Beauty Squash



Can you tell me the name of this illustrator? Or any illustrator that this might remind you of?  One of my kids will draw a name at random from those who commented on Sunday.  The winner will win a signed copy of Gretchen Rubin's book "The Happiness Project,"  which has just hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.   If you can tell me the name of the illustrator, I'll throw in a packet of "rainbow" seeds, too. If you know the name of the book, you'll just have my undying admiration!

I know what you're thinking...."just place the dang seed order already!"

Have you placed your seed order yet?  If you're in my area and you're not into starting plants from seed, you'll be happy to know that Hook Mountain Growers is now taking orders for their organic seedlings.  Go over there and have a look - some unusual as well as tried-and-true goodies!

14 comments:

patti said...

Now THIS is a fascinating post and as this will be my SECOND annual garden, a very helpful one.

I love stopping by here and breathing fresh air.

Patti

Ronda Laveen said...

Oh, I got nothin' on the guess. But looks SO familiar.

Lovely array of seed choices, though.

Karen said...

Ooh ooh, pick me, pick me!) Love your theme, it's up there with your Prince theme last year. You are the only person I know who does this, it is so cool. Nice that you chose some Abundant Life, I have heard good things about them. I also love Seeds of Change, have you tried them at all? And Territorial but not all of theirs are organic/open pollinated.

So, my guess is: "What Color is Love?" by Joan Walsh Anglund. I think I had it as a kid, it looks verrrry familiar.

sam said...

Joan Walsh Anglund! I have a copy of "A Friend is Someone Who Likes You" around here somewhere... though I don't think that's the right book for your garden. Boy, that brings back some memories.

tina said...

Absolutely no idea. Mary mary...?

Ash said...

Gr8 going!!!! Nice to know you on social networking too.... We would stay in touch now..... thanks for finding 'me'..... U come up with some twists for life.... KUDOS to you!!!!!

Ash....
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

MrBrownThumb said...

I have no idea. So, I'm not even going to try to guess but I just wanted to say that I love garden themes and I'm glad other people are doing them.

Joanne said...

I have no idea, the verse isn't familiar to me. But the illustrations are lovely, I can see why they'd influence you. And I love the way you "theme" your garden, it really adds a fun element to the season.

TALON said...

I feel like I SHOULD know because the illustration is so familiar and completely charming! Looks like you're going to have a fabulous garden this year, JGH! I love that you theme it - that adds such a beautiful element.

Anonymous said...

I sampled a few chapters of the Gretchen Rubin book on kindle, and it looks good! I'm putting it on my library list.


In my garden, all of the weeds are very different, but they thrive happily.

PamHMG said...

Red Meat Radish aka Watermelon radish is the new hot thing at Union Square Market. Bad name though :)

Stacey said...

My baker creek catalog never came! I'm ordering from Scheepers, Abundant and Territorial seeds this year.

Skeeter said...

I am impressed with your garden theme. Neat names in this grouping. I have no idea on your challenge but I did think of the little rhyme Mary, Mary Quit Contrary, How does your garden Grow? I believe Tina thought the same thing on this one. It also reminds me of a little girl named Strawberry Shortcake. How funny the mind works with thoughts of your childhood...

tut-tut said...

Joan Walsh Anglund is the illustrator, JGH.

See you in Oberlin.