Starting Your Spring and Summer Garden

Selecting Your Spring & Summer Seeds: A Gardener’s Guide to Seed Saving, Garden Cooking, and Chili Pepper Passion

Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to get your garden bursting with life—and it all starts with selecting the right seeds! In today’s post, I’ll share my process for choosing vegetable and flower seeds that thrive in warm weather, discuss my favorite products for seed saving, storage, and starting your seeds Plus, I’ll include links to some fantastic books on seed saving and Southern garden cookbooks to help you turn your harvests into delicious meals - and for those of you that don’t like cooking, growing your stuff makes it more fun - promise.

Selecting the Perfect Seeds

When planning your spring and summer garden, it’s essential to choose seeds that are well-suited to your local climate, garden soil and what you enjoy eating. I like salads, salsas, making sauces and squash. For vegetables, I focus on warm-weather crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, beans, and leafy greens. I also like to grow melons for the grand-babies and chickens. For flowers, opt for varieties that attract pollinators, repel pests, are easy to grow and add vibrant color to your space—think marigolds, zinnias, bee balm and sunflowers. Always consider your garden’s layout and how much space you have, as well as the specific needs of each plant. I went way too big last year and after a month it just wasn’t doable for my summer schedule which involves lots of travel.

Seed Saving: Tools & Techniques

One of my favorite parts of gardening is the art of seed saving. It allows you to preserve your favorite varieties and save money. Here are some products and techniques I use for saving and storing seeds:

• Seed Saver Envelopes & Journals: I rely on durable, moisture-resistant envelopes for collecting seeds. I also maintain a seed journal to record planting dates, harvest information, and unique characteristics. I like these colored ones as they help me stay organized - jhttps://amzn.to/4hZI8kj once in here I place them in an organized binder like this one on amazon https://amzn.to/42YEMtq which keeps things easy to see but also keeps the light out. 

• Glass Jars & Airtight Containers: Once cleaned and dried, seeds can be stored in small glass jars or airtight containers to keep them safe from moisture and pests. Honestly, I usually don’t get to this step. Here are some jars I love to use for my dried herbs though https://amzn.to/3EIjwhx

• Desiccant Packs: To ensure optimal dryness, consider including desiccant packs in in your storage containers—this is especially crucial in humid climates like we have down here on the coast. https://amzn.to/3ERcgjm

For those interested in diving deeper into seed saving check out these excellent resources:

• The Seed Garden 

• Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners 

  
  

Where to Purchase Seeds

Finding the right seeds is essential to cultivating a thriving garden.  Fortunately, there are many reliable sources, both national and local, to meet all your gardening needs. For a wide selection of heirloom and specialty varieties, I often turn to Johny's Selected Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, which offer an extensive catalog of rare and traditional varieties. Treat yourself to the catalog that can be purchased as opposed to the free one. It’s worth the images and recipes.

In addition to these national suppliers, I support local vendors for anything commonly grown around here. In Fairhope, Old Thyme Feed is a fantastic resource, providing locally sourced seeds and gardening supplies. Over in Robertsdale, Racines and Robertsdale Seed Feed & Supply offer a wonderful selection of seeds that are well-suited for our Gulf Coast climate. These trusted sources not only offer high-quality seeds but also help foster a sense of community by supporting local businesses and preserving regional gardening traditions. Happy planting!

Starting Seeds

I always start my seeds inside around the end of February. You can kickstart your garden with the right tools and eco-friendly practices. Here’s what you need to get your seeds off to a healthy start:

• Seed Starting Soil or Coconut Coir: Use high-quality seed starting soil like Back to the Roots for optimum germination Johny's has a good option as well and I love any gardening products from Espoma. For a sustainable twist, try coconut coir, a renewable byproduct that offers excellent water retention and aeration. Depending on how many plants you want to put in your garden you'll need to select the correct seed starting tray. If you select a failry large one such as this one by Burpee you will need a labeling system unless all of your seeds in that tray are the same. I like to separate mine inn something a bit smaller such as this one with a dome to keep moisture in.

• Grow Lights & Heat Mats: Supplement natural light with energy-efficient LED grow lights to ensure strong, healthy seedlings. I like ones I can place under kitchen cabinets so I don't forget about them. Here is one I use at home and school that is very simple. Heat mats can also provide gentle, consistent warmth, ideal for speeding up germination in cooler conditions. I purchased a large set of these smaller heating mats ones that are good for the seed starting tray size I use.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

• Potting Up: When seedlings are ready to move, pot them up into containers or 3-inch squares. This gives them enough space to grow robust roots before transitioning outdoors.

• Reading Seed Packets: Always check your seed packets for recommended planting dates and outdoor readiness. This will help you time your garden perfectly for your local climate and avoid transplant shock.

From Garden to Table: Southern Garden Cookbooks

Once your garden is thriving, it’s time to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor! I love exploring Southern garden cookbooks that showcase how to turn fresh produce into comforting, flavorful dishes. These cookbooks not only provide recipes but also celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the South:

• Southern Kitchen Garden

• The Southern Living Garden Cookbook

• The New Southern Garden Cookbook

My Chili Pepper Passion

No garden post would be complete without a nod to my all-time favorite—chili peppers! I’m excited to grow a variety of peppers this season, including:

• Jalapeño: A versatile staple with a medium kick.

• Serrano: Slightly hotter than jalapeños, perfect for salsas.

• Habanero: For those who love a serious heat punch.

• Cayenne: Great for drying and making spicy powders.

• Thai Chili: Adds an exotic flair to any dish.

For fellow chili enthusiasts, here are some must-read books on growing and cooking with chili peppers:

• The Complete Chile Pepper Book by Dave DeWitt and Paul W. Bosland

• Chilis, How to Grow, Harvest and Cook by Eva Robild and Kirstin Rosengran

Conclusion

Selecting seeds, saving them, and transforming your garden into a vibrant, edible, and beautiful space is a rewarding journey. Whether you’re drawn to the sustainable practices of seed saving, the culinary creativity of garden cookbooks, or the fiery passion for chili peppers, each step contributes to a more sustainable and connected way of living. I hope this guide inspires you to explore new techniques and enjoy the process of cultivating your very own spring and summer garden. Happy planting!

Feel free to leave a comment or share your favorite seed-saving tips below!