>A few seasons back I waited too long to buy seeds. I didn’t get any pole beans, and my bush beans turned out to be both green and yellow. Surprise, Green Bay Packer colors! But seriously, I prefer stringless pole beans for ease of harvest and preparation.

Last summer compared my small backyard plot to the WWII era Victory gardens. Today’s news is full of a new term: Recession Gardens. Folks across the U.S.A. are figuring out what we backyard gardeners already knew: fresh home grown veggies are inexpensive and delicious, with less risk of contamination in the harvest or shipping process. But with the new found popularity of vegetable gardens comes a drawback: not a run on the bank as in the Great Depression, but a run on the seed companies!

I can’t get out to buy seeds right away. Despite the thick piles of snow still on the ground, I have Spring Conferences at school this week and next. I won’t have the time or energy to shop around. I could order online, but I’d really rather buy locally and stimulate my neighborhood economy. For what it’s worth, whenever I get it together, here comes the plan! Step one in any major shopping endeavour: make a list! So far, here’s what I own.

I think the beans are covered now: I have both pole and bush styles, green and yellow. Herbs are good: see the thyme, oregano, basil, dill, and more on the left. Only one package of spinach, and that’s about it. The black beans came from a plant I put in by mistake last year; I didn’t have my reading glasses on for the fine print. Oops! I like black beans in soups and chili, so I’m going to try them again. The painted rocks were a student gift a few years ago; I still love them.

The chives and green onions will come back, as will the rhubarb and the raspberries. It’s time to go back to the store and see if they still have a good supply next to the snow shovels, anti-freeze and ice melt!

Parent Bloggers Network is talking about green living this week. What can be greener than a backyard garden, complete with home-grown compost? They’re also featuring green cleaning supplies from the Nature’s Choice line by SC Johnson. Great idea, but I’d still rather play in the dirt, er, I’d rather weed the garden than clean my house.