All of this talk about what I’m planting deserves a review of where I buy my seeds.
A couple of things that are important to me when I buy seeds. First, I want unique versions of the vegetables I grow — no standard grocery tomato for me. Second, I’d prefer an organic seed although with many heirloom varieties that is not possible. Finally, I tend to buy from a few companies rather than one or many. It just makes it easier.
In non-scientific speak, an heirloom variety is a variety of vegetable that was grown “way back when.” Being in Illinois, I look for heirlooms traditionally grown here. Of course, we don’t grow very many peas in Illinois today, but “way back when” we grew Lincoln Peas.
Tomatoes
I buy my tomato seeds from Tomato Growers Supply Company. Tomato Growers has over 500 varieties of tomatoes and peppers to choose from. I will end up writing many posts on my selection of tomatoes, but I purposely grow early maturing, mid maturing, and late maturing tomatoes to try to get as many tomatoes as possible throughout the growing season. I also grow Green Zebras and a few other specialty varieties.
Vegetables
Baker Creek Seed Company has just about the best looking seed catalog out there. I will keep buying from Baker just to get next year’s catalog. Baker has an incredible selection of heirloom seeds that many other seed companies do not carry. With vegetables, in particular, their selection is broad, descriptions fun, and seeds always germinate.
Herbs
In terms of Organic herbs, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE) is my choice. They have a very classic looking seed catalog that makes me feel like I’m back in the 40s. SESE has a great selection of vegetables, herbs, and flowers of very high quality. I have had a lot of success over the past year with SESE seeds.
Others
A few other recommended companies that I use:
Peaceful Valley is an excellent source for the serious gardener. I’m jumping way ahead to the fall, but I buy my cover crops, beneficial plant seeds (more on this later, but I plant seeds to encourage insects to hang out in the garden), and fertilizer.
Gardeners.com is where I buy all of my supplies — vegetable stakes, trellises, etc. Good prices and very high quality.
Seed Savers Exchange is where I find the rarest of the rare seeds. Because I’m an urban gardener, it makes it very difficult to grow for seed (you must maintain a distance between plants so they don’t accidentally cross pollinate). I feel very guilty not giving back. I’ve always bought my potato seeds from SSE.
This should give you a hint of what is to come this summer in the garden. Things move quickly after the last frost!
Related articles:
