A Big Gift of Seeds

My niece called from BC a couple of weeks ago. We had not had a good chat for a long time, so it got to be a long call, but she knows that I'm a seed-collector. She told me her sister- in-law in northern Alberta has a rural address now and is keen to start a big garden. Like several acres worth! Especially vegetable seeds she needs but she would also appreciate flowers, knowing that is what attracts the bees and insects that will fertilize the plants so that you get vegetables, etc.

Yes. I assured her that I have lots of seeds. I'm a seed-saver like my Gr'ma Kroeker was! For instance I have several plastic bins full of yogurt 1 liter containers full of marigold seeds.

When I talked with my sister Elsie on her birthday, March 3rd, she reminded me that the bright gold/red/yellow flowers of the French marigolds attract bees, butterflies, etc., but they also will keep rabbits out of the garden. (If they jump over a row of marigolds and some of the pollen dust gets into their belly fur, the rabbits start stinking like something they really hate. So my sister always sows a border of marigolds all around her gardens and the rabbits will not come to eat her lettuce, and other leafy plants).

Personally, I've always liked the bold/sunny marigolds to border the sides of my cement path through the garden. However, I think I'll try to sow them at the borders with the neighbours' fences as well. I don't know if rabbits are found in this part of the city, but I know dogs and cats from the neighbourhood come to check my yard for edibles - often! Maybe it will deter them.

Anyway, the result of my niece's call is that I've prepared a big box of seeds to mail to her sister-in-law. It's all ready to go when I go tomorrow for a dental appointment. It weighs almost 2 kg or 4 lbs. It has quite an assortment of seeds and if she needs more marigold seeds... I can send her lots more!

This reminds me, if you should need some seeds, do let me know. I have 6 good-sized bins full up high on top of the cabinets in my bathroom, and more in the pantry, although most of those are seeds from this past summer that I have not cleaned out of their shells yet, and put into containers.

Yes, I know. I won't ever use up all my seeds in my lifetime but it is a shame to throw seeds away. They are so full of POTENTIAL! Besides, I enjoy being a Giver too!

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