The seed catalogs are finally here en masse. They’ve been arriving for awhile, but most of my favorites just showed up the last two weeks. The only ones still missing are Baker Creek, Fedco and Territorial*. But I think my seed order is mostly sorted out.
Denise and I are putting in joint orders to Seed Savers Exchange and Seeds of Change. Now I just need to figure out which fruit trees/canes we might order from Raintree and if I “need” anything from Baker Creek, Abundant Life or Fedco.
It’s been tough this year to restrain myself from ordering more than I can realistically find room for. I ended up making the mother of all spreadsheets tracking what I have from last year, what I need (and from where) and what I simply want. Then I whittled down the wants and kicked the spreadsheet over to Denise. She reassured me that I wasn’t overboard, so I promptly added back in 6 or 7 things I’d just cut. Ha!
My resolution this year was to cut back on the things we had too many of last year (tomatoes, potatoes, spaghetti squash) and add things I’d like to try not to kill (blue hubbard squash, celery, dry beans, turnips, rutabegas, hot peppers). Then I chose varieties that I knew we’d like. Picking seeds also forced me to get my garden plan at least sketched out. I’m not willing to share it yet as I’m sure it will change (plus I’ll need fodder for another post soon), but I think I’ve come up with something workable for this year.
Got any favorite catalogs that I didn’t mention here? Any standards we should all check out?
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* For the record, I previously mis-spoke about Territorial. They weren’t sold, but one of their main suppliers was bought out by Monsanto. I’m limiting my seeds from them this year to things I pick up as needed at the nursery since they don’t currently identify their seed suppliers in the catalog or website.
For a list of the Seminis varieties they are sourcing this year, go here. For a list of all Seminis varieties, go here. Thanks to Sinfonian for the research.
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Oh no…. Seriously, our Territorial in Cottage Grove, OR? This is terrible news. Can I ask where you read about this? It sounds like I need a different plan for seeds.
Amy, you can find out more here:
http://www.seedalliance.org/index.php?page=SeminisMonsanto
And Sinfonian recently posted a list of the Seminis seeds that Territorial is selling this year (a couple I got from them last year are on that list, bummer): http://ft2garden.powweb.com/sinfonian/?p=432
As well as a complete list of all Seminis varieties commonly sold by our favorite seed co’s (see comments):
http://ft2garden.powweb.com/sinfonian/?p=424
It is so easy to go overboard with seeds – I am fighting the temptation too! Its hard reading of all the possibilities and dreaming. Besides the planning (and constant revision) on thing I am trying to tell myself is to order and plant seeds for things that I can’t get at my CSA or the local farmers’ market. This way, I have more room in my garden for *more* of a fewer variety of veg, so I really feel like I could sustain myself for those items rather than have only 20 carrots (e.g.) all season. Don’t know, but I hope it works!
LOL on Denise with the re-adding, she sounds like a great friend
Well there are two* others that I’d like to recommend, since we have many favorites in common!
1. Sandhill Preservation – they are a small operation here in Iowa but have the most marvelous selection of tomato varieties (and sweet potatoes!) among many other good seeds. They are a family run operation and interested in preserving the heirlooms. They also do heirloom poultry. Their ordering requirements are a bit more fussy than other operations but it’s because of their small size and the fact that they are family run.
http://www.sandhillpreservation.com
2. One Green World – such a delicious selection of unusual fruiting and ornamental trees and shrubs. I can never seem to limit myself on orders from them…
http://www.onegreenworld.com
*3. Okay, I lied, I have 3. Select Seeds. They focus on heirloom flowering plants (not fruits or veg) but they have so many delighfully fragrant flower seeds, I just can’t help but add them into my list!
Hey Laura, I got my Fedco catalog at least a couple weeks ago, maybe longer. You might bug them, given that it’s almost seed-buying time.
I’m borrowing a computer right now. Ours crashed and should be ready with a new hard drive Monday. They’ve almost retrieved all our old data.
Although my two main orders this year were with Seed Savers and Seeds of Change, I also ordered a bit from Bountiful Gardens and am getting ready to place one last order with Southern Exposure who specializes in heirloom seeds. I’ve probably ordered from Bountiful Gardens for about 15 years now, but this will be my first with Southern Exposure. Seeds of Change just arrived today and we’ll be starting our babies this week. Can’t wait.
Hopefully I can start posting our local meals again soon.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who puts together a spreadsheet to think about seeds. Great blog!
I believe (but may be wrong) that Seeds of Change is owned by M&M Mars, and Select Seeds is part of the Vermont Bean Seed, Totally Tomatoes, and Shumway Group which may be connected to Monsanto in some way.
It is getting harder and harder to find a company that hasn’t been at least partially sullied by these large corporations.
My Baker Creek catalog arrived about a week ago. It’s about the size of an LP and thick as all hell! It’s like garden porn on crack, and I love it.
I am actually considering a long drive from Portland to Raintree as well. I want their Mirabelle Plum and they are the only ones close that carry it. The drive would be fun, but I might have more plants make it in my car…
The mister looked it up and yes, Seeds of Change is owned by M&M Mars. I was briefly *extremely* confused, since I can’t keep Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange straight in my head. I was leafing through the SSE catalog going, “wow, that’s really weird, it doesn’t seem in keeping with what I know about SSE or what I know about M&M Mars either …” until he reminded me that Seeds of Change is NOT Seed Savers.
And then it made way more sense. Seeds of Change also sells packaged foods and has advertisements all over our ferries. I mistrust companies whose advertising is too slick, and they are one of them. So I’m not sad not to buy from them.
I would have been sad not to buy from SSE though.
Mangochild – that’s the perfect approach if you’ve got limited space. We’ve got plenty of room (within reason) for whatever we want to grow, so it’s harder to restrain myself. Plus, seeds keep, right?
Claire – thanks for the One Green World rec, I’ve been eyeing a couple of their apple and olive trees. I may go ahead and order from them instead of Raintree.
Audrey – thanks! I’m going to doublecheck the mailbox today (we’re bad about getting the mail) and then call if it’s not here somewhere.
Donna – so jealous that you’re starting seeds already!
Forge Village Farmer – welcome! and thanks.
Throwback – you’re completely right about M&M Mars and Seeds of Change. I’m just choosing the lesser of two evils (big corp vs Monsanto). I like their varieties and their philosophy, it’s not their fault that they’re owned by a giant corp.
Renee – if you can go to Raintree and only come home with trees you will have my undying respect. I can’t ever get out of a nursery with only one thing…
Lauren – Garth’s right, they are owned by M&M Mars. How funny you say that about their advertising. Being in marketing I’ve always kind of liked their approach, even if they are big corp. As Michael Pollan says, it will take more than small artisan companies to change the world – the small companies are the vanguard and leaders, but the big corp’s bring it to the masses. As long as we keep them in line they’re not inherently evil.
I just found your blog! I’m really enjoying reading your posts. I’m also in the process of picking out my seeds for this spring/summer. I ususally order mine from Johnny’s Seeds (in Maine). I’ve had good luck with their seeds. I was wondering about Seeds of Change versus Seed Savers Exchange. I’d like to order from Sandhill- I’ve heard good things about them.