FedCo, Johnny's, Pine Tree, oh my!... It's the most wonderful time of the year, seed ordering time. I am admittedly completely obsessed with seeds and I will rationalize my way into each seed purchase. I have spent the past week curled up on my chair with seed catalogs galore splayed out in front of me and an ever growing wish list that is wearing down my pencil.
I am a proud FedCo co-op customer. Living in Maine, I tend to find more crop success sticking with Maine seed providers. I figure, if they've been able to do test trials up here, then I should have at least a fighting chance at success. I also love Johnny's Selected Seeds and Pine Tree Gardens. Pine Tree is especially great if you are looking for small packets of exotic vegetables at a really afforable price. FedCo seeds have delivered awesome germination rates for me, so they are my first stop each year. Their catalog is a definite keeper. Printed in black and white on newsprint, FedCo passes along the savings of not printing a bright glossy catalog to the consumer with cheap seed packet prices.
I do save all my seed from season to season, but I use each new year as an opportunity to try out new varieties or introduce my family to a new vegetable. This year I'm thinking of adding celeraic, turnips, parsnips, kale, mache, and beets to the mix. There are always new heirloom dry beans and heirloom tomato seeds that I try each summer as well.
My goal for this upcoming year is to go as four season as possible. I was fairly successful this past growing year, but it was more by luck than by plan. I've been reading Four-Season Harvest by fellow Mainer, Eliot Coleman. I'll be adding some more storage varieties of onion, carrots, and squash to the gardens. I'm also excited to break back out the row covers and maybe transform a couple of old windows into some coldframes.
Gotta go now... FedCo awaits!
11 comments:
I just ordered my seed, most from Fedco, some from Pinetree. Johnny's is my backup as I can zip over there from work at lunch is needed. I LOVE seed catalog season! Have fun!
I could sit on the couch as long as you looking through catalogs, too! I have Johnny's bookmarked but now must visit FedCo - thanks! I like that you "introduce" a new vegetable to your family each year. What a great thing! I also have been studying Eliot's book and will be experimenting with a row cover on one of my beds next year. I lived in Searsport right across the bay from their farm but sadly, never visited in person. A local farmer here is experimenting this winter and I will have to talk to her, too. Would be happy to give you my full report! Happy New Year!
I haven't done any seed ordering yet...the magazines are just starting to arrive. Your enthusiasm is catching though, I am getting excited about picking some new things and old standbys for this summer.
Cheers from Alaska,
Christine
Cold frames are a great way to extend the seasons. I cannot believe I let mine fall into disrepair! Ordering seeds is so much fun and hopeful! I use the same seed companies as you. Enjoy! Carol
It is challenging to find good seed companies with some sort of choice in Canada, but I am trying.
There are so many temptingly different varieties of everything. I am wishing that I had acres and acres of land.
But it all has to fit into the little plot that I have.
Looking forward to seeing what you get.
Jen
I haven't ordered any seed yet. I haven't even looked at the catalogues. I'm interested in seeing what you can grow year round in Maine . Four season gardening is not an option for me.
i trying to have some semblance of control, but frankly i just don't.
northern gardeners have to be optimists by nature. we sit by the wood stove watching it snow outside, yet we sketch out our garden plans and dreams for the summer and prep the seed trays for the next few weeks of planting. it's year round gardening if you think about it that way... start planting for the next season before you've even gone through all of last year's harvest.
I smiled when I read this post since all gardeners, as well as being eternal optimists, are inherent seedoholics!
I'm only growing about ten or so varities of each vegetables and flowers yet I have over 70 packets of seed!
Happy gardening in 2010! Flighty xx
I definitely have a seed catalog addiction! I have to carve out quality time with each catalog, and they all end up dog-eared. Last year, I bought something like 28 packets of different heirloom tomato seeds when I was only going to have room for 9 plants total. I couldn't help it - they all sounded so good!
Same over here...curled up with Fedco and Johnny's and Pine Tree.
I think I over-order so much from the seed catalogs because it's just a fantasy this time of year that anything will ever sprout and bud and burst forth with fruit. I do a lot of fantasizing. Then come the seed packets and spring and the work, work, work, and I wonder what I was thinking!
Enjoy!
i am so happy to be in the company of fellow seedaholics!
i placed my seed order in a garden-minded frenzy last week and, well, 72 seed packets later...
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