Enjoying Seed Catalogs - My list for 2015

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

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.