White Doyenne Pear from Raintree Nursery
The seed and plant catalogues have been arriving in droves. I’m the target market, they know it, and the marketing efforts have been successful. About a week ago I placed an order for all the seeds I should need this season. I thought I was done. Then, I picked up the Raintree Nursery catalogue. In a few months, I will be planting a lovely White Doyenne Pear, purported to be the “world’s most delicious fruit.” Nevermind the fact that I didn’t need a pear tree. Last fall I order a pear tree grafted with three different varieties. I also ordered two more apple trees, and miniature peach and nectarine trees. Oh yes, there is also the asparagus and rhubarb that will be arriving and all sorts of seeds. I’ve ordered so many things (and I haven’t kept track) that I am sure to find a surprise or two in the nursery deliveries. But come on, how could I resist a pear like a “fine, rich buttery chardonnay, sweet yet tart, with musky undertones and a strong perfume”? I couldn’t. I couldn’t resist the high-bush cranberries I happened upon on the site either.
In addition to leafing through all the catalogues, I’ve planted my first seeds of the season. DoubleD at The Modern Victory Garden published a really great seed starting schedule page on her site. It’s just the thing an amateur food gardener like myself needs. Following the scheduling, the onion and lettuce seeds are now on the heat map under the grow lights and in a few weeks I’ll start the cabbage and broccoli. Thanks, DoubleD, for putting together such a helpful page.
Overwintered carrot in the greenhouse
Out in the greenhouse, there is some noticeable activity. The garlic I planted last fall has sprung up. The bunching onions are looking good. The mache continues to grow, although slowly. And the carrots and lettuce planted in the fall are perking up. I think they have overwintered successfully (so far) and I’m hopeful I’ll be able to have an early crop of each.
Happy gardening!
Sandy
The 10 Year Challenge 
Nice Site layout for your blog. I am looking forward to reading more from you.
Tom Humes
Your blog post made me bust out laughing! I don’t think a pear with those qualities really could be resisted! 😀
Raintree is a great nursery and I have had really good luck with their plants. I purchased 8 more cranberry plants from them myself this spring.
Glad you are finding the seed starting schedule useful. I also posted your butternut squash and bean soup recipe on the “favorite recipes” page as well. It has been a resounding hit with my family and it definitely deserved a place of honor in recipes that are big winners in our household. Appreciate your sharing it with me.
I saw the recipe posted and was happy to see it shared. I do love that soup. I figured, of course, you would have bettern alternatives than the canned tomatoes and beans and hopefully I will next year as well.
The ironic thing is Sandy doesn’t like wine. 🙂
I am extremely happy that the carrots have survived. We have both become carrot junkies this year (I have at least two large raw carrots / day if I can) and the cost of good carrots from someplace like PCC gets expensive.
-Derek
Oh, I’m so there! I always end up ordering so many things because of the catalogues and all of the “eye candy”!
A grafted pear with three varieties on it would be wonderful. Pears are so good.
As the light increases your greenhouse crops should keep getting better and better. This is the time of year you can start to see the end of winter coming and it is great.
I see I’m not the only one having seed choosing problems. And yes, whomever wrote that descrption for the pear should win a pulitzer. Thank goodness I have no room for more trees. I’m sure it will make a welcome addition to your orchard!
And I too should take another opportunity to thank DoubleD. She’s done a great job educating Puget Sound gardeners.
I’m seriously considering getting two black currant plants from Raintree. Dangerous catalog, that… 😉
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