Our Thoughts Turn to Spring...

We began receiving seed catalogues in early December, giving us much more time than usual to look over the offerings for the coming year (or would have, if I'd been better prepared for Christmas!) !

One thing you need to be aware of is not all seed companies are created equal. Last spring, my sister, Laura, and I ordered seed from Totally Tomatoes. This was our first experience with this company, and likely, our last. Within the packets were seeds of tomato varieties we didn't order.

I understand from other gardeners that this experience isn't just limited to this company, but is more common than we'd like to believe.

One lady said the radish seed she'd ordered produced so many different types of plants she was certain the company from which she'd ordered had swept the floor under the radish seed bins, dumped the dustpan into a packet, and filled her order with it!

So, who can we trust? There are three good companies that readily come to mind:

1. Park Seed. Their phone number is 800-845-3369, if you wish to either order a catalogue or place an order. Their website is www.parkseed.com

2. Johnny's Selected Seeds. Their phone number is 877-564-6697. Their website is Johnyseeds.com

3. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. A wonderful company from which to order open-pollinated, heirloom varieties of seed. The caution here is, if you're going to go with open pollinated (heirloom) seeds, don't plant them alongside--or close to-- hybrid varieties. The seeds you save won't be of the heirloom quality, most likely. AND particularly NOT those GMO thingys!! Those aren't to be messed with!
One of the Baker Creek Facilities is located in Mansfield, MO. Delightful place to visit, if you have some time to go exploring. Just be aware that they're closed on Saturday, being Seventh Day Adventists. Sunday Thru Friday, they're open 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Phone: 417-924-8917 www.rareseeds.com

There's also a Baker Creek facility in Petaluma, CA, just 30 minutes north of downtown San Francisco. Their street location is 199 Petaluma Blvd. N.--on the corner of Petaluma and Washington Streets. Phone number is 707-509-5171. They, too, are closed on Saturday.

I highly recommend these companies.

4. Having said all that, if you're looking for hard-to-find, or unusual herbs (both culinary, medicinal, and crafting) the "Go To People" is:

Otto Richter's Herbs. This is a family-owned company located in Goodwood, Ontario, Canada. Their phone number is 800-668-HERB. Website is www.richters.com. Now run by second or third generation Richters, they still offer the same high quality that made them a trusted name in all things herbs.

They also offer classes in everything from growing and harvesting herbs, to making medicines, building your own drying equipment, beekeeping, etc. In addition, you can take classes on spinning and dyeing wool. Get acquainted with them. You'll be glad you did. Much of what they offer can be grown in our northern Missouri area.

It won't be long till we'll be planting our seeds indoors! Then, spring!

Wishing you a happy January,
w.