My neighbors and I love our Swiss Chard!
It’s that time of year when the seed catalogs start pouring in. Glossy pictures showing burgeoning beets and luscious tomatoes make me forget January rains as I dream of the harvest to come. Just as I was about to lose myself to their siren call I got a text message from my neighbor suggesting we get a group together to share last year’s seeds and bulk buy new ones.
Buying with neighbors is a great way to both save money and do a communal growing plan. Does one neighbor have the microclimate and skill to grow squash while another is skilled at beets? This can make for some nice variety even with limited growing room. It also boosts interest in taking care of each other’s gardens during the busy summer months.
Coming to your yard soon!
If you want to get really fancy you can also divvy up who grows what starts. I have a big south facing garden window and grow lights that encourage me to grow way too many tomato and basil starts. Knowing I will be sharing these lets me go wild.
You can save seeds from some plants year to year and build up varieties that are super well suited to your particular soils and growing conditions. How about a Columbia City carrot or a Mount Baker melon?
To get started email or call anyone in your area you think might want to join in. To make this work you only need about four other people but getting communal things started can be a bit hard the first year. Once you’ve got your core group together pick a night, make a big pot of soup and see if others can bring sides and dessert; you’re nearly there! The night of the party talk about what varieties have produced well in the past, what you like to eat and who likes to grow what veggies. Once you have a good list then look at the seed catalogs, make your selections, divide up the cost and order away. When the seeds come in have a second party and pass out the seeds.
Happy growing!
I'd love to hear from you!