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.

Ten Buying Tips & and a Top 10 for Herb Seeds

Ten Tips Buying Seeds  &  Top Ten Seeds to Buy

This year I am so focused on what my garden will look like next year, that I have had the seed catalogs online and in paper form out on the desk since December!  I am not going to let Spring planting sneak up on me and find me unprepared this year!  You can avoid this problem too by shopping for seeds in mid-winter.  It is a great way to spend a snow day (if we every get one) and gives you plenty of time to sort out the details of the next growing season. Whether you buy your seeds though the mail or from your local garden center, here are ten tips help you get the most for your money.

Tips for Buying Seed

For the best selection and prices, browse a variety of seed catalogs. Most of the major suppliers make their catalogs available online, which is a great way to start gathering ideas. When it's time to place an order, look for seed companies that specialize in plants that are grown in your specific region. Use the Garden Watchdog to type in your zip code and get a list of companies in your area.  

After placing your order, keep your catalogs, or print the relevant pages, for reference.  They contain important information about your seeds that you may find useful later. Remember that catalog statistics like height, spread, and days to maturity should only be used as an estimate. How your plants ultimately perform is dependent on local growing conditions.

Seed catalogs and websites include a lot of abbreviations in their descriptions. Most of these reference a plant's resistance to disease, or indicate a cultivar that has earned special merit. Look for a key to the symbols at beginning of the catalog or on the bottom of each page.

These are two types of seeds: hybrids and open-pollinated cultivars. Hybrids may produce earlier harvest and higher yields, but often at the expense of natural hardiness and resistance to disease. Seeds saved from hybrid plants may either be sterile or fail to breed true to their parent plant. Open-pollinated seeds are from traditional varieties that have been selected and grown for their desirable traits over a period of many years. They may taste better and are often more adaptable to local growing conditions. Seeds saved from open pollinated plants stay true to their parent plant.

Other things to know about Seeds

Fresh seed has the highest rate of germination. When purchasing seeds off the rack, check the date stamped on the packet. Be sure it's the current year. If you don't see a date, don't buy it.

 

Tiny seeds are sometimes coated in clay (pelleted) to make them easier to handle and sow. The pellets are sown on top of the soil, where the clay coating dissolves and exposes the seed when it comes into contact with water. Keep in mind that although pelleted seed packets look bulky, they may not contain as many seeds as you think.

Research before you buy. Choose cultivars based on plant size, habit, and tolerance of your soil conditions. If specific climate or growing conditions in your area tend to leave plants vulnerable to disease problems, make sure to look for disease-resistant cultivars.

Look for proven performers. For example, to receive the All-American Selections Winner Label, a vegetable or flower must have performed well in test gardens around the country and proven to be superior to all others on the market. Individual suppliers may also have their own marks of quality.

Seeds from commercial suppliers sometimes come pre-treated with synthetic chemicals to control seed decay and damping-off diseases (bright red or green colored seeds usually indicate treatment). Some studies have linked the introduction of these chemicals into the environment with the massive die-offs of honey bees. More data is still needed, but in the meantime, you can help protect these important pollinators by using untreated seeds.

Finally, any seed you buy should give good results if you follow the growing instructions. If it doesn't, contact the company for a refund.

Top Ten for 2012

Here is my list of the top ten herbs to grow from seed this year.  I have included a culinary and well as flowering herbs in the group for those who incorporate their herbs into a garden or landscape border.  These are not the “best” or the newest, they are just great herbs to grow from seed and if you have not tried them, now is the time.

Summer Savory
Summer savory boasts a warming, peppery scent and taste. One of the essential ingredients in Herbs de Provence (along with rosemary, thyme, and oregano), summer savory is also wonderful alone to season beans, meats and stuffings. The plant forms single stems 4-15 inches tall that are lined with linear dark green leaves up to 4 inches long. Whorls of lilac-purple flowers appear in summer. Plant spreads 7-30 inches. Sow in a well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Pick both leaves and flowers all summer to use fresh or dried.

Sorrel
120 days. One of the most useful of pot herbs, Sorrel offers a tangy, slightly sour bite. High in oxalic acid, it is a nutritious and palate-cleansing herb. The large, arrow-shaped leaves can be picked continuously as needed from spring through fall. Easy to grow in full sun to part shade and deep, rich soil, it reaches 16 to 24 inches tall and about 15 to 18 inches wide.

Parsley Italian Plain Leaf
Specially developed for use as fresh seasoning, the large, bright green leaves arise on 10-to 12-inch plants.

Flat-leafed Parsley is far more nutritious than the curly type. Harvest it as needed, but fairly regularly so that the plants keep sprouting new stems. In mild climates, you can continue to cut it throughout winter.

Basil Thai Siam Queen
Thai Siam Queen --A 1997 AAS winner, Basil Thai Siam Queen is as gorgeous in the garden as it is delicious on the dinner plate! The sturdy stems support extra-large, 4-inch-long and 2-inch-wide bright green leaves. Clusters of short terminal racemes of purple flowers are borne on the very top of the plant for a highly ornamental effect.

Basil Large Leaf Italian
Basils are loaded with volatile oils, responsible for the heady aroma and strong flavor so essential to cooking. The composition of oils varies greatly in different basil types, thus accounting for the wide range of scents available. Regarded as the essential variety for true Neapolitan cuisine, especially pesto, this Genovese-type basil grows 18 to 24 inches high and 12 to 15 inches wide. The dark green, shiny leaves grow up to 3 inches long on a tall, erect plant that is slow to bolt.

Basil Mrs. Burns' Lemon
60 days. A lemon flavor of mouth-puckering intensity! This heirloom cultivar offers larger leaves (2 1/2 inches long) and more tangy flavor than regular lemon basil. It loves hot dry summers. Pinch off the pink flowers as they arise to encourage even more side shoots. 18 to 24 inches high, 12 to 24 inches wide.

Cilantro Santo
The strong, zesty scent of this annual herb is unmistakable! Slow-growing, Santo allows you to harvest just the amount you need over a long, long season. And after the flowers pass, let them go to seed and collect the seeds for use as Coriander!

Calendula
Both the petals and the leaves are edible on this useful herb. It repels destructive insects very effectively, so it's essential to the vegetable garden. And it sets lovely 2-to 3-inch yellow blooms just great for cutting, so it's needed in the annual bed and the cutting garden. Best in full sun in the north, afternoon shade in the south and southwest, it flowers heavily in spring and, if cut back in midsummer, repeats in fall! Depending on climate, expect it to reach 15 to 30 inches high and wide.

Borage
Plant this herb for the ornamental value of its starry purple-blue flowers, to attract beneficial insects to your garden, and to harvest for teas and other summer drinks. Plants self-sow freely, so you can enjoy more plants next year! Pkt is 100 seeds. Qty 1 Pkt Seeds is all you need.

Fernleaf Dill
If you love the tangy flavor of fresh D ill weed with fish and vegetable dishes, Fernleaf Dill is the variety you MUST grow! Just 18 inches high, it's perfect for the kitchen windowsill or the sunny garden. Its feathery leaves are so lush and tasty that this hardworking little plant won a 1992 All-America Selection. Easy to grow and delicious!

Fernleaf Dill blooms from midsummer into fall, with flattopped blooms that may remind you of Fennel. You don't have to wait to harvest the leaves, however --snip them with nail or kitchen scissors as soon as the plant has a few branches to spare, and enjoy them fresh for months on end! In the garden, Fernleaf Dill is a nice companion to cabbage, onion, and lettuce.

So enjoy your garden planning for 2012! And if you are interested in growing some herbs indoors this winter, I recommend reading this article I found from The Oreganian: http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2012/01/13_herbs_worth_growing_indoors.html

Herb Garden Planning - How to read a seed catalog

Last week I gave you a list of print and online herb catalogs to look at and this week I thought I would help with some tips for reading those catalogs too!  Gardening catalogs contain more information than pictures and prices.  In fact if you follow this sort guide, you can learn the keywords and symbols found in seed catalogs and enhance your gardening experience.

Late winter and early spring is when attentions turn to the business of planning and planting. I am instantly reminded it is time, when the seed catalogs start arriving. I then get out the garden planning journal, look over my notes from previous years and lose myself in the pictures and descriptions.  However, this is usually the first place I make a mistake, because getting caught up in those wonderful images and descriptions of taste often results in buying too much or the wrong plant for my garden. So what I wanted to do was save you the hassle of making the same mistakes I have with a bit of information about the books you are delving into.

Don't Judge a Seed by Its Picture

The first thing that grabs your attention when you open a seed catalog is the pictures, especially if they are in color. What you need to remember when looking at these wonderful color pictures is that they represent the best of the best. The herbs, flowers and vegetables shown in the pictures were more than likely grown in the best conditions, with the very best of care. And, the photographer may have searched through hundreds of tomatoes to find the one that she finally took a picture of. Your results will vary, depending on the weather and the amount of time you spend working in your garden.

Words and Symbols are Clues

If you make it past the pictures to the actual item description, you may run across words and information that also need some translating.  The plant description is the place you go to determine if this is the plant you want.  It should include the variety name and the growing time, from sowing or transplanting to harvest or maturity.  Look carefully at the words used, as they can provide insight into what to expect during the growing season.  For example:

• Vigorous: This plant will want to take over your garden if you let it.
• Compact: Perfect for small gardens or container gardening.
• Early: This plant is perfect for climates that have a short growing season or for gardeners that like to use different varieties to extend their harvest.
• Hardy: Will usually survive over winter or self sow.
• New: This variety has not been offered before.
• Pelleted: Some catalogs offer pelleted seed to help make sowing small seeded plants easier. The coat the seed in a clay medium so it is larger and easier to see.  However once treated the seed will last only one season so don’t save them for next year.

You will also learn if the seed is disease tolerant, and if so, which diseases they are tolerant of. Other information unique to the variety of plant is included in the description.

Some of my favorite catalogs use a little symbol system to show zone, annual vs. perennial, organic, sun vs. shade and other tidbits you want to know about every plant, so you can scan the listings more quickly and leave out those that would never grow where you live.  Most of these types of symbols are unique to the company catalog, so look for a key toward the beginning of the catalog or long the bottom of facing pages, which will explain how they use their symbols. I also enjoy catalogs that slip in growing tips and recipes, so don’t overlook the little articles and information they tuck into the pages.  This year Nichols’ Garden Nursery catalog has the story of Turnip the Cat.

Read Before You Seed

All in all, by spending a little time reading your seed catalog, you will discover a wealth of information, some of which you may not have known before.  I credit seed catalogs with great improvements in my early gardening, because they gave height and shape information that helped me plan more space than my gardening books suggested.  Plus if you read carefully you avoid buying too much seed or the wrong seed for your climate conditions or season length.

Herb Garden Planning - Seed Catalogs

The seed and garden catalogs have just started to come in and I am studiously getting ready for the next season.  It is still a bit early to plant any seed (even indoors) in Illinois, so I thought I would share some of my favorite seed producers and you can start planning too!

I have used all of these catalogs at one time or another.  Some I like to use every year, like Seeds of Change and Nichol's Garden Nursery, others I use when I am looking to put in a theme patch or try something new, those times I look to Garden Madicinals & Culinaries or Crimson Sage.  Sometimes it is better to start with a smaller offering like Renee's Garden and Prairieland Herbs then work up to those that offer hundreds of varieties.  I shop for plants locally in Illinois at the Oak Park Conservatory Herb Sale becasue I like to touch and buy plants, but when it comes to seeds I look at reputation and speedy delivery.  All of these places have that.

Richters Herbs  www.richters.com

Richters is a fantastic herb nursery that is located in Goodwood, Ontario, which is approximately 30 minutes NE of Toronto, CANADA. Their greenhouses and gift shop are open to visits by the public. Visit their website to request a copy of their free catalog by mail or view the complete catalog online.

Richter's sells a variety of herb seeds, herb plants, herb books, dried herbs, herbal extracts and aromatherapy products. Many of the plants, such as arnica, bloodroot, comfrey, ginkgo, licorice and belladonna are hard to find at the average gardening center. Their plants are available individually, in 12 plant plug packs and in 120 plant plug trays for the serious grower.

Sandy Mush Herb Nursery  www.sandymushherbs.com

Sandy Mush is located in western North Carolina, approximately 23 miles NW of Asheville. They are open to the public, in season, Thursday through Saturday, but they suggest calling ahead to verify someone is there and to get specific directions.

Their catalog can be viewed online or sent through the mail at a cost of $4. Sandy Mush sells over 2,000 varieties of plants including traditional culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, scented geraniums, perennials, trees and shrubs along with a selection of herb seeds and books.

Mountain Valley Growers www.mountainvalleygrowers.com

Mountain Valley Growers, which is located in Squaw Valley, CA, specializes in USDA certified organic herbs and perennials. Their 40 page catalog can be downloaded from their website or a free copy can be sent by mail upon request. Mountain Valley offers a great selection of herbs, perennials and vegetable plants along with an assortment of books, gardening supplies and hydroponic equipment.

Crimson Sage Medicinal Plant Nursery www.crimson-sage.com

Crimson Sage is an USDA certified organic nursery located in Orleans, CA. They offer an extensive line of Ayurvedic, Native American and Traditional Chinese Medicinal herbs for sale. They charge $1 for their 80-page catalog, to help cover the cost of postage, or it can be downloaded for free on their website.

Well-Sweep Herb Farm www.wellsweep.com

Well-Sweep Herb Farm, which is located in Port Murray, NJ, is open from Monday through Saturday in-season. Visit the farm to view their display gardens, or shop for unique gifts in the gift shop. Their 84-page catalog can be viewed online, or request a free copy by mail. Well-Sweep offers a variety of herbs, flowering perennials, dried flowers, gardening supplies and aromatherapy products for sale.

Horizon Herbs www.horizonherbs.com

Horizon Herbs, located in William, OR, offers medicinal and USDA certified organic herb seeds and plants for sale. Co-owner Richo Cech, is a prolific author of many herb books, DVD’s and audiotapes, which can be purchased through the website. View the catalog online or request a copy through the mail.

Garden Medicinals & Culinaries www.gardenmedicinals.com

Garden Medicinals, which is located in Earlysville, VA, offers a great mixture of medicinal and culinary herbs along with a selection of heirloom vegetables and flowers. Garden Medicinals does not have a print catalog, it can only be viewed online.

Territorial Seed Company www.territorialseed.com

Territorial Seed Company carries many varieties of herb, vegetable and flowering plants and seeds, along with some gardening supplies. Request a copy of their free catalog or order products through their online shopping cart.

Territorial products are available at select retailers in Alaska, Washington, California, Oregon and Virginia. The Territorial Seed company store, located in Cottage Grove, OR, is open to the public.

Seeds of Change www.seedsofchange.com

All of the Seeds of Change seeds are USDA certified organic; they also have a selection of organic seedlings and books available. Request a free copy of either their gardening catalog, or their professional growers catalogs. There herb offerings are somewhat limited, but they have all the starting gardener will want and more.  Online ordering is available through their website.

Goodwin Creek Gardens  www.goodwincreekgardens.com

Goodwin Creek’s nursery center is open Fridays and Saturdays, from March through September. Request a copy of their free print catalog offering herb plants, seeds and books. Goodwin Creek, located in Williams, OR, offers a fantastic selection of medicinal, culinary and Native American plants along with plants that will attract birds and butterflies to your herb garden.

Sand Mountain Herbs www.sandmountainherbs.com

Sand Mountain Herbs was founded by outdoor enthusiast and native plant expert Larry W. Chandler of Geraldine, Alabama.  He has vast knowledge of the medical values of herb plants from around the world including North Alabama. They have an online seed catalog that you can puruse and the list is extensive.  Sorted by common name, it then provides scientific names so you know you are ordering what you really want.  When you click the link it shows a photo and detailed growing info including hardiness zone.  You can order easily online.

Prairieland Herbs  www. prairielandherbs.com

Located in Woodward, IA the catalog is only available online, but you can print your own pdf version of it.  Prairieland Herbs is a mother-daughter team, Donna Julseth and Maggie Julseth Howe.  A small business, they have great quality and know their herbs.  They started Prairieland Herbs as an official, full-time business in September, 1998 and by July, 1999 they moved into a renovated shop where they offer classes.  The shop is open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays, 12-5 CST.

Nichols Garden Nursery  www.nicholsgardennursery.com

Nichols Garden Nursery has served home gardeners for more than 60 years, making it one of the oldest herb suppliers in the US. Still a family run business specializing in fine food gardening.   They are an original signer of the Safe Seed Pledge and offer no genetically modified seeds or plants. They are adjusting their offerings as a result of the pledge so seed names are changing a little. An online catalog as well as a paper catalog can be requested. Visitors to the gardens in Albany, OR are always welcome during regular business hours.  In addition to herb and vegetable plants and seeds, they have a nice variety of herb related gardening items, including lotions, soap, cheese and wine making supplies.

Renee’s Garden Seeds  www.reneesgarden.com

If you’ve been gardening long enough to remember Sheppard’s Seeds, this is the same person.  Specializing in flower, herb and vegetable seed and located in Felton, CA, Renee's Garden offers varieties that are great for home gardeners, based on flavor, easy culture and exceptional performance.  Strong supporters of sustainable farming practices they do not sell treated or GMO seeds and have signed the Safe Seed Pledge developed by The Council for Responsible Genetics.   Retail resale of seeds is also available. Not a huge variety of seeds, but all of good quality and her two cookbooks, also available on the site are great.  I have owned both for many years and use them all the time.

Companion Plants   http://companionplants.com/

Companion Plants is an internationally recognized herb nursery established in 1982 and located in the scenic rolling hills just outside Athens, Ohio. They started with 30 varieties and now offer over 600 varieties of common and exotic herb plants including medicinal, culinary, ceremonial, aromatic, butterfly, fiber, and dye plants as well as over 200 varieties of seed, most of which they grow ourselves using environmentally friendly methods.  The catalog is available online and sorted by name and topic.  Customers are invited to come visit the greenhouses Thursday through Sunday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm from March 1 to October 31, and stroll through the 2 acres of display/production beds containing dozens of varieties of Thyme, Salvia, Rosemary and Basil, as well as native medicinal plants and wildflowers interplanted with their cousins from around the world.

The Thyme Garden Herb Company  www.thymegarden.com

Also located in Oregon, this place has been around since 1990.  Their catalog offers 650 varieties of herbs as well as dried herbs, teas, spices and seasonings. Catalogs include interesting folklore. You can also visit to see the display gardens.  I can’t resist a place that knows the value of Thyme!  They sell 6 different varieties of thyme seed and some creeping varieties by the pound for making a lawn.

Later this month I will discuss how to read seed catlogs and how to start seed.