Miscellany Leigh on 06 Feb 2010 09:45 pm
Seeds Have Arrived!
It’s that time of the year when garden bloggers, going crazy from winter…or in my case ice, snow, rain and drear, post pictures of the brand new seed packets, still fresh from the mailbox, they are secretly fondling by the woodstove while dreaming of spring… Sigh. Yep, me too. Above are selections from Baker Creek Seeds in Missouri, a seed company I really like that specializes in unusual, heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. (Open-pollinated being the kind you can then save your own seeds from your crop. Hybrids—which I also grow sometime—are often designated by “F1″ in the catalogs, may have special qualities or higher yield, but if you save seeds the offspring won’t be true to type. Neither of these types are GMOs, don’t worry!)
Baker Creek has nice big portions unlike those skimpy, skimpy amounts sent by Seeds of Change (which I otherwise love, but rarely order from for this reason). When it comes to seed packets, I feel ripped off if I can look in the packet and do an instant head-count of my newly purchased seeds. Anyway, Baker Creek is generous with great prices too. I’ve had good luck with the quality of seeds I’ve purchased from them. Plus they are just one state up from me and hopefully things that do well for them will do well for me! Baker Creek is doing good work in the world with promoting heirlooms, fighting GMO and doing programs like “Seeds for Peace” and I want to support that. I also want to stay on the mailing list for their huge and amazing catalog which I spend many happy hours with every winter.
This year’s order pictured above includes Monstreaux de Viroflay spinach which lives up to the name with monster-huge and vigorous spinach leaves. I’ve found spinach to be kind of wimpy, so this variety is a real favorite now. Candy Roaster squash, a huge, enormous sweet winter squash. And Giant of Italy parsley. Am I revealing a prejudice towards Super Sized items in this post?<LOL> Let’s just say that timid, tiny things just don’t survive well in my Darwinian Ozark garden spot!
Territorial Seeds is another company I enjoy. Generous seed packs, fair prices and wonderfully specific and educational “how to grow” information in their catalogs.
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply is another favorite. I bought my much loved T-tape irrigation system from them too. The big bags are bean and clover innoculant, which really works. The yellow submarine thing is a favorite gadget: it’s a handle to put on a five-gallon bucket to provide a good grip. Love it!
But even after all those postal arrivals, I couldn’t help it. I went to my local favorite “Chicken Holler” to buy a few more! Our household favorite, blue lake bush beans plus sugar snap peas and more. Just can’t get enough of those little packets of summer potential! Thanks for stopping by Larrapin Garden today!
5 Responses to “Seeds Have Arrived!”
on 14 Feb 2010 at 9:29 pm # Diane Carroll
i just came across your blog and love it. We’d like to add you to our Arkansas-based blog roster. We have a story idea we’d like to run by you–could you email me?
on 15 Feb 2010 at 3:02 pm # Leigh
Thanks so much Diane! Larrapin is happy to appear on such a lovely blogroll. I’ve emailed you too. I’m honored to have you visit the blog!
on 04 Mar 2010 at 2:59 pm # Stephanie
Hi Leigh!
I am embarrassed to admit that it’s been awhile since I’ve caught up on your blog. This winter has flown by with me getting a new job, the holidays and snow & sledding with Stephen!
Since this is the oldest post I can comment on, I will let you know here that I checked my library and am happy to report that they do have Gaia’s Garden (2nd edition)! I will be picking it up soon on your recommendation. I’m sure it will be helpful in learning what will grow well in my small (front) yard.
I even had dinner with a friend Monday night and she brought up sharing a plot in the community garden. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that big of a commitment, though. I may stick with the CSA again this summer since I’m at work about 50 hrs a week (ugh!).
The updates on the bird activity at Larrapin have been great. I may have to look into those holly bushes.
Nice to see so many updates from you while you are hibernating and dreaming of your bounty to come, as I’m sure longer days will bring less updates. We can all understand that!
on 04 Mar 2010 at 3:09 pm # Stephanie
Oh! And I also wanted to mention, since you made your own podcast, our local garden show that is aired on NPR. It’s called Homegrown. Thought you might enjoy it!
http://www.wfpl.org/category/homegrown/
on 10 Mar 2010 at 7:27 am # Leigh
I will check that out online. Thanks for that! I love garden podcasts — You Bet Your Garden from WHYY and The Alternative Kitchen Garden out of the UK are my favorites. Great to hear from you!!