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Why It's Good:
A lush garden can provide as much gorgeous eye candy and satisfaction (more, in my opinion) as a shopping spree. A windowsill filled with herbs and fresh flowers you grow from seed is a great way to accessorize your kitchen—and show off your green thumb. Order now to get the popular varieties before they're sold out; also so you can start your seeds indoors before the last frost date (catalogs with growing info for beginners indicated below).
Why It's Green:
Heirloom plants, fruits and vegetables featured in these catalogs are older, open-pollinated (not lab-bred) varieties whose seeds have been saved over generations. These seed companies help preserve diversity, which is important because the more species there are, the healthier and more balanced our ecosystems. And the healthier you'll be by growing your own organic, just-picked food.
Where To Get It:
To buy seeds, click on the names of individual retailers or call to request seed catalogs.
How Gorgeous Will Your Garden Grow?
There was a time when I'd rush to the mailbox in January anticipating what the oracles had to say about the New Year. What cutthroat couture would the sculpted-cheekboned models be wearing? What shade, exactly, would be deemed 'the new black'? Now I sprint for the post for a different type of printed matter: seed catalogs.
Instead of Prada boots, I lust for the latest heirloom varieties and rare seeds that will turn my garden patch into a fantasy nirvana of foliage, vegetable and fruits. After all, winter is a great time to dream of spring.
There are many from which to choose, and I'm so pleased that even big companies like Burpee are carrying a large number of heirloom varieties.
Following is a list of my favorites with websites where available. Of course, you can order online (many have discounts for doing so) but it;s not as much fun as browsing the pages.—Susie Quick
Abundant Life Seed Foundation:
Abundant Life Seed Foundation (order at 360-385-5660) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve genetic diversity by providing rare, heirloom, and native seeds. The catalog offers open-pollinated varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and grains.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds:
One of my favorites, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (417-924-8917) was founded in 1998 with the purpose of promoting rare and endangered vegetable varieties, including American, Italian, French and Asian plants. The site lists approximately 600 vegetables and herbs and a few flowers. Great artwork and descriptions make the catalog a fun read.
The Cook's Garden:
This nicely illustrated little catalog (800-457-9703) will inspire you to finally plant a kitchen garden, even if it’s in patio pots. Their descriptions and newsletters of unusual varieties are mouthwatering, and their growing information is helpful, even for beginners.
D. Landreth Seed Company:
The oldest seed company in the United States, Landreth's vintage looking, large-format catalog (800-654-2407) is lovely to browse and helpful for new green thumbs. Landreth offers a large variety of heirloom seeds that includes vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Plus they have a wonderful seed collection for children's gardens and patio gardeners.
Johnny's Selected Seeds:
Long a favorite of organic market gardeners, Johnny's Selected Seeds (207-437-4301) is a trustworthy source for more than 1,200 colorful varieties of vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs, cutting flowers and an array of soil products and tools for every kind of gardener.
Nichols Garden Nursery:
A good selection of easy-to-grow vegetables, fragrant herbs and cut flowers, Nichols (800-422-3985) also offers tea plants, unusual gourds, garlic varieties, as well as soap-making and winemaking supplies.
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply:
Peaceful Valley (888-784-1722) had their grass-roots beginnings in a California garage and has since become a one-stop catalog for organic farmers and gardeners. Seeds, native grasses, wildflowers and every supply imaginable can be found in their pages. Great varieties and excellent service.
Seed Savers Exchange:
Seed Savers Exchange (SSE; 319-382-5990) is a nonprofit group working to save heirloom garden seeds from extinction. They focus on varieties grown by American Indians and those of immigrants who brought seeds with them when they migrated here, as well as those preserved by Amish and Mennonites farmers. Thousands of members save and share these seeds and make them available to nonmembers through a catalog.
Seeds of Change:
Seeds of Change(888- 762-7333) offer certified organic, open-pollinated seeds and plants with instructions for every level of gardener. Seeds are grown on their research farm or within a network of approved farmers. The catalogs are beautifully photographed and also contain many tools, supplies and info helpful to new gardeners.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange:
Although Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (540- 894-9480) focuses on varieties that grow well in the Mid-Atlantic region, the company serves gardeners of all levels throughout the country. A large number of the bulbs and seed varieties are grown on their farm or come from a network of growers. The catalog carries open-pollinated heirloom and traditional vegetables, sunflowers, cutting flowers, herbs and garlic, as well as garden supplies. May you grow the garden of your dreams!
