Seeds and Keylimes
Well gang, it’s March which means it’s time to get on the seed situation. I’ve gone as far as to move some plants around and hook up the *super fancy* electric warming mat. My lemongrass LOVES it, making me feel a little guilty about replacing it with a tray of seeds. I have to admit that I really haven’t spent much time looking through seed catalogues. I looked through the Richters catalogue but only got as far as deciding that this year I would suck up the $15 price tag and buy that wasabi plant I talked myself out last year.
I did manage to pick up some seed packets a few weeks ago although I admit that a lot of thought and planning didn’t go into the selection. I chose Dark Opal Basil because it’s one of my faves, calendula officinalis because I like to grow it along the edges of my community plot, and Cupani sweet pea because Colette, the owner of Urban Harvest (from whom I procurred the seeds) sold me on them. Apparently they’re the sweetest smelling of the sweet peas. Plus they’re a really pretty multi-toned burgundy and purple.
Well, I needn’t worry about being behind on my seed situation. There are two big gardening events happening in Toronto this month, Canada Blooms and Seedy Saturday. And if experience has taught me anything I should have more seeds than I know what to do with by the time they’re over.
A recent purchase I did plan was a key lime tree. Actually, I really wanted a Meyer lemon tree but have been unable to locate a Canadian retailer. In the meantime someone from the forums graciously hooked me up with a lovely key lime tree — complete with an abundance of smellerific flowers and teeny tiny limes. Lime blossoms are really fantastic! Sometimes the smell is so strong I can catch a whiff of it way over at my desk. It’s been a nice respite from the deep blahs of late winter.
March 21st, 2005 at 4:46 pm
My grandmother used to have a couple of potted lemon trees, which produce blossoms and fruit all summer long. In the summer she kept it in the front yard, and in winter she took it inside, and placed it in a well lit, but unheated room (which resulted in some leaf loss).
I am currently cultivating a couple of lemon trees that I grew from seed I saved from organic lemmons. The little treelings vary in size, but are growing quite nicely. They like their sunny location up against my kitchen window, and are quite thursty. They are just over a year old and already need a second and (one of them) third repotting. They got a lot of southern exposure on the balcony last summer and absolutely loved it.
I can hardly wait to move them outside and let them soak up the rays. I am majorly looking forward to the first blossoms, but that might still take a while.
March 24th, 2007 at 4:19 am
Hello …am looking for U.S Key lime grower(s)who will ship this hard to find fruit in south east U.S. area for a friend determined to make the authentic Florida Key Lime Pie .
Interesting to learn they can be grown in our Toronto area climate. Any info most welcome .