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HOMES PLUS FEBRUARY 2016 6 This is a wonderful time of year, if you're a garden- er. Seed catalogs are pour- ing in and you can hardly keep track of them. Right now I have 26, and counting, to review. Their chief appeal? Maybe you want to try something new or just want to make sure you get what you want. Either way, this is the perfect time to start planning this year's garden. I get questions all the time on how we start plants at the greenhouse. We try to do a lot by plugs because of lack of seeding space, but sometimes it's simply more cost-effective by seed. Also, many specialty vari- eties, especially vegetables and herbs, are only found in seeds. So in order to offer you the best variety, we must find seeds. Among the hottest food trends are spicy foods and hot peppers. In order to offer our customers some of these really hot and inter- esting pepper varieties, again I must go searching for seeds. Also, more people are starting their vegetable gar- dens with plants these days. This includes many things us old-timers always started from seed. Corn, lettuce, radishes, kale, cucumbers, squash, melons and many others are now offered as plants at garden centers. Many of these are only available by seed unless we start them for you. But what about gardeners who want their own seeds? Sometimes all these cata- logs can become over- whelming. Where do you start? Which companies are best? What should you start by seed and what should you purchase as plants? ■ First, start with a plan. Going in blindly does- n't help. Then pick out your favorites and things you know you want to grow. I also usually like to try at least one new thing every year so I start looking at the new introductions. Actually, sometimes it's all about what's new! There is always something out there. For me, it's usually a new hot pepper or tomato. ■ Which catalog(s) do I choose to shop from? Please don't always go by price. Price is important but quality seed is even more so. If you need help deter- mining which company to order from, talk to your local garden center or gar- dening friend. We've proba- bly tried them all and can give you good advice. Here at the greenhouse I also shop in bulk so that makes a difference. Only certain companies offer larger quantities. But, if you have a small farm or really large garden, find those companies that can offer you larger quantities at better prices. ■ What to start by seed. I like to start any- thing with a short- to mod- erate-growing season by seed. But like I said earlier, more people are starting many things from plants today. But lettuce, radishes, peas, beans, carrots, corn and any of the basics I start by seed. Because I don't want to wait until September to get my first tomato or pepper, I buy plants. Some of the hot peppers I grow need 100 days from transplant. I guess it's personal, what can you wait for and what can you not? You can also start your own seeds of tomatoes and peppers indoors. Start them around mid- to late March. So, don't get overwhelmed with all those catalogs: Sit back, plan and enjoy. If you hit a bump in the road, give your local garden center a shout. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is a horti- culturalist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia.) Seed catalogs: Sprouting up everywhere Michael Timm Michael Timm's desk last month bears the weight of some of the catalogs he receives in the mail. The winter months are a great time to germinate some thoughts for preparing and planting a garden in the spring. K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! WE OFFER: NORCRAFT CABINETRY MID CONTINENT CABINETRY OMEGA CABINETRY DYNASTY CABINETRY WOODLAND CABINETRY 248546002 Annual Showroom Display Sale Going On Now! Time to make room for new showroom displays, so we need to let a few go. Come on in and get a great deal! Small displays, vanities, tall cabinets….Come and see! We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment MICHAEL TIMM Annual rite poses fertile ideas, interesting questions Dear Jim: We are going to be away from our house for several months this winter. Is it better to leave the window blinds open to get solar heating or keep them closed? We have double-pane windows. — Wanda V. Dear Wanda: You should keep the blinds closed even though you will miss some free passive solar heating. Much more heat will be lost through the glass over 24 hours than the amount gained for the time the sun shines in. When you are back home, it does make sense to open the blinds, but only when the sun is shining in, even with very efficient windows. Heat loss from windows is great- est at night, so always close all blinds and curtains. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Free- man, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) Dulley: Close the blinds when gone for a while Continued from Page 3

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