When I was a kid, part of the fun of Christmas was calling up friends on the day after asking “WhajagetforChristmas?” all in one excited breath, and then interrupting one another exclaiming over what we got for Christmas.
WhajagetforChristmas?
I got some antique seed packets!
Aren’t they beautiful!
And on the back of each is some wonderful garden advice!
Like on the Dwarf German Kale, it says, “…on a moist day after the plants are three or four inches high, transplant to two or three feet apart…” Of course, transplanting is best done on a “moist day”!
On the Early Red Turnip Radishes, it says to “use invariably when young and brittle”. I love that though I’m not sure what they meant by “invariably”. Oh well, radishes are best when smaller.
On the Black Wax Beans, I found this good advice “Never work among the vines when wet, as it induces rust”. That is good advice and I've tried to follow that for years.
And on the Long Green Cucumbers it says “When all danger from insects is past, thin out the plants…” I wonder how one knows when the danger of insects is past? That seems like a good thing to know even today.
I don’t know the age of these seed packets because they aren’t dated, but I did find some information on collecting antique seed packets on The Labelman's website and see some on that site that are similar to what I got for Christmas.
Many thanks to my sister-in-law who thought to buy these seed packets way back last spring, then rigged the Christmas name drawing so she would get my name. Wasn’t that nice of her? How in the world did she know that I would like antique seed packets? Hey, this might lead to a new collection for me!
But enough about me and my antique seed packets, now it’s your turn…
WhajagetforChristmas?
WhajagetforChristmas?
I got some antique seed packets!
Aren’t they beautiful!
And on the back of each is some wonderful garden advice!
Like on the Dwarf German Kale, it says, “…on a moist day after the plants are three or four inches high, transplant to two or three feet apart…” Of course, transplanting is best done on a “moist day”!
On the Early Red Turnip Radishes, it says to “use invariably when young and brittle”. I love that though I’m not sure what they meant by “invariably”. Oh well, radishes are best when smaller.
On the Black Wax Beans, I found this good advice “Never work among the vines when wet, as it induces rust”. That is good advice and I've tried to follow that for years.
And on the Long Green Cucumbers it says “When all danger from insects is past, thin out the plants…” I wonder how one knows when the danger of insects is past? That seems like a good thing to know even today.
I don’t know the age of these seed packets because they aren’t dated, but I did find some information on collecting antique seed packets on The Labelman's website and see some on that site that are similar to what I got for Christmas.
Many thanks to my sister-in-law who thought to buy these seed packets way back last spring, then rigged the Christmas name drawing so she would get my name. Wasn’t that nice of her? How in the world did she know that I would like antique seed packets? Hey, this might lead to a new collection for me!
But enough about me and my antique seed packets, now it’s your turn…
WhajagetforChristmas?
Comments
Meems
I didn't get anything gardening related, except--my hubby got a Lee Valley card and I got a card from a store I don't shop at for myself. We're gonna swap. Then look out!
I gave two gardening magazine subscriptions plus floral calendars to others, tho. I like the giving even more than the receiving.
I received a new pj which I am wearing because I am getting ready to go lay down and read the new book I received, 'Today's Botanical Artists'. I also got 'Flora Mirabilis'. I can't hardly wait to have time to read both.
Plus stuff to do with other areas of my life, hahaaha
Lovely art work on those seed packets xx
I gave my husband a piece of garden art.... a smallish metal word... "Dream". He gave me a wildflower calendar. My girlfriend bave me a large pinecone stuffed with bird treats to hang out and a beeswax candle with all sorts of herbs pressed into it.
In days gone by, "invariably" was used the same way we use "always" now.... you don't vary from doing .....whatever.
I didn't get anything garden related but I did get some much needed silverware.
Happy New Gardening Year!
Unfortunately, I didn't get any gardening gifts at all, but we did get a white Christmas. Right now I need a snowblower more than a garden hoe.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
The guys got me a Doug Tallamy book and a fantastic tripod. I am thrilled with both.
Gail
Hope you are staying warm!
I didn't get anything garden-related for Christmas, because people assume I have it already. I never did get the Chia pet I wanted (sniff)!