Show-and-tell seed packets

I am an incredibly thoughtful person.  Unfortunately, it really isn't the thought that counts.  It's pulling your finger out and turning that thought into action.

Sadly this is where I fall down.

Thankfully, some people are much better at this which is why, a few days ago, the children and I received a parcel of delights.  It came from Dave, an old friend of my husband's and his family, and now of ours.  He lives in the States but is a self-confessed anglophile and when over here, always makes the effort to catch up. Not only did he come bearing gifts on his most recent visit but on his return home, put together another package to send over. 

These were seeds he'd bought at the Philadelphia Flower Show from the Hudson Valley Seed Library.

Isn't this exactly how seed packets should look? And read?

Each of the packs is designed by a different New York artist and folds out into a flower shape.  What's more, they're of good enough quality that you can keep and even frame them. Then, of course, they elicit that Pokemon card style twitch telling you to collect them all.

Plus the names are so much more exciting than your run of the mill seeds; we have Tiny Tim Tomato, Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry, Calico Popcorn, Good Bug Blooms and Green Zebra Tomato.

All this makes them perfect for children.  If you still need convincing, I'll tell you that the reason I can only photograph four packs is that Ava has taken the fifth in to 'Show and Tell' today - and there wasn't even bribery involved.

Of course, I've no idea how we'll get on with the actual growing.  Most are heirloom seeds adapted to a New York State of Mind, but even if we fail, we can always just sit back and gaze lovingly at the packets.

Oh, and in other news...

...I survived the Ideal Home Show.

No-one threw fruit.

Some people even asked questions.

Best of all, my face healed in time - or at least well enough that Lancome was able to disguise any residual horrors.

Also thank you to everyone who left their 'perfect family garden' feedback - all of which was invaluable particularly as I was still tweaking the talk with two hours to go. Some may view this as disorganised, but actually it's a well respected technique to keep it 'fresh in the mind' (I used to work in PR - can you tell?).

Comments

[JamesA-S]

What absolutely no-one threw fruit? Not even a raisin?

That is not good. The budgets at these things is so tight that the caterers rely on thrown fruit to feed the back stage staff. If nobody throws fruit (or vegetables, or tins of beans and chipolatas) then the sound guy starves.

Shame on you.

[greenfingersmum]

The descriptions on the packets are lovely.
http://greenfingersmum.blogspot.com

[Damo]

They look great, the packets I get from Dobies are super dull by comparison, the kids would love these.

[Esther Montgomery]

I'm not a fan of fancy names, not even for children - but the packets are fantastic. They could be turned into a picture book, let alone framed!

Esther

[Dawn]

James - he did look ratehr emaciated, but I thought that was de rigueur for London-based sound crew

GFM - thanks

Damo - Have to say these are particularly fabulous although I wonder if the kids would prefer the garish packets of seeds sold with children in mind.

Esther - so true - and I think they recruit a new raft of artists to design packets each season so there will be plenty more.