January
has been so gray and dark this year. The
sun has been fleeting and there is no snow to liven up my days either. As a result all I can think about is the next
gardening season. Those thoughts made me
start looking for catalogs.
chervil seed |
Due to high costs of
printing and postage, many seed houses have gone to online only. Even if you
get paper catalogs, check out the websites for specials, sales, blogs and
gardening tips.
Here's a list of some
catalogs I'm perusing this month:
Botanical
Interests Seeds (877)
821-4340; botanicalinterests.com.
Paper catalog free. Large selection includes Asian veg, perennial flowers,
organic seed and info packed seed packets.
Hudson Valley Seed
Library
http://www.seedlibrary.org/ Online
catalog only. A great source for heirloom and open-pollinated garden seeds
packaged in frame able, beautiful garden-themed packages. The selection is smaller, but you know the
seeds grow in Zone 4-6 because they were raised in zone 4-6!
Seed
Savers Exchange (563) 382-5990; http://www.seedsavers.org/ You can get a paper catalog for a fee or shop
online. This is a not-for profit organization dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom
seeds. Members get a seed discount. Great
place to get exotic seeds and old time plants, they carry herbs, flowers and
vegetables.
Nichols
Garden Seed Catalog (800)
422-3985; nicholsgardennursery.com.
Online catalog only. Specializes in seeds and plants for the gardener/cook.
Good selection of herb and vegetable varieties suitable for container gardening
selected by Rose Marie Nichols McGee,
Renee's
Garden Seeds (888)
880-7228; reneesgarden.com. Online catalog only. Great selection of
seeds for heirloom and cottage flower gardens, herbs, and vegetables from
around the world.
Seeds
from Italy (785)
748- 0959; growitalian.com. Paper catalog free. If you like all things
Italian, this is the place to shop. Over 400 varieties of vegetable, herb and
flower seeds, all imported from the old country from a company, Franchi, that
has been in business almost longer then the US has been a country.
Richter's
Herbs (800)
668-4372; richters.com. Paper catalog free. A treasure trove for folks
looking for the unusual. Richter's offers mail-order plants as well as seeds,
so don't pass on this one even if you don't grow from seed. They are in Canada
so pay attention to when they are shipping so you get the plants you want when
you want them.
Peaceful
Valley Organics (888)
784-1722; groworganic.com. Catalog $2. A one-stop shop for the organic
grower – seeds, fertilizers, bare root trees and tools.
Reimer Seeds; reimerseeds.com.
Online catalog only, and contact is by Internet or fax (866) 716-4748. Almost
4,000 varieties of veggies, herbs and flowers. Specializing in tomatoes and hot,
hot peppers — a destination for chili heads.
Seeds of
Change (888)
762-7333; seedsofchange.com. Paper catalog free. Purveyors of certified
organic seeds and seedlings. I have
always gotten my bean seeds from them. They have a nice Native American component.
Pinetree
Garden Seeds (207)
926-3400; superseeds.com. Paper catalog free. Best prices on seeds. Now
selling plants and all sorts of do-it-yourself supplies including cosmetic
components. The selection of herbs, because
of the cosmetic theme, is wonderful.
They are located in Maine so understand a northern growing season.
With seeds in mind try this herbal tea
recipe while you are reading!
ORCHARD TEA
3 Tbls. Chamomile
3 Tbls. Lemon Balm
1 Tbls. Fennel Seed
1 tsp. crushed Coriander seed
1 tsp. snipped dried apricot
3 Tbls. Chamomile
3 Tbls. Lemon Balm
1 Tbls. Fennel Seed
1 tsp. crushed Coriander seed
1 tsp. snipped dried apricot
Combine the items in a glass jar and
shake to combine. Use 1 to 2 Tsp. per
cup of hot water and steep 5 to 7 minutes.
The sweet licorice taste of the fennel makes this both comforting and
soothing on a winter day. And you can
make it iced for warm weather drinking.
I can see that the rest of my day is going to be on the net looking at seed catalogs! Thanks for sharing ♥
ReplyDeleteWhat I want is a laptop so I can sit on the couch with my feet tucked under me to look at all the pictures! Thx!
ReplyDelete