Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Heirloom Seeds

Following on Leatherneck's comment on my last post, I had no idea you could get heirloom seeds over the net. Do you know if this is a good company? If so, or unless you know of a better, I may order the tomatoes (The 'Caspian Pink' Heirloom Tomato plant has absolute knockout flavor! It has been voted ‘best flavor' by the majority of tasters, even against Brandywine. This was one of our most popular heirloom tomato plants last year.)

SM: since you me and my sister are all small time beginners, it might be interesting to see some stuff we are all interested in (e.g. heirloom tomatoes) and make one order of some stuff and split it three ways.

RSVP

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

found a cool catalog for heirloom seeds called "Baker's Creek." The story of their business is really interesting, so when you get the catalog, make sure to read the inside cover.Here is a catalog request link.http://rareseeds.com/catalog/

Anonymous said...

There are many heirloom seeds out there and I guarantee you, the taste is wonderful. That being said, there is a reason we go to hybrids, heirloom seeds have a tendency to get various diseases, etc. But they sure are good tasting. Give it a try though. Being as y'all are in town you probably wouldn't have near the problems I have trying to grow in a former pasture.

Civis said...

Is that a better company?

Civis said...

RARE SEEDS THAT IS.

Anonymous said...

Oh, sorry. I don't know anything about the company. I am such a
newbie. But, sure I would like to split an order no matter where we
order from.
I'll get busy on my list this weekend.

Marsh Arab said...

You might be aware of this, but the LSU ag center is a treasure trove of information. I find it especially valuable because it is tailored to our soils and climate.

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/

Regarding blueberries, here is their publication for download.

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publications+Catalog/Lawn+and+Garden/Fruits/Home+Blueberry+Production+in+Louisiana.htm

You can browse their publications here:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/Publications+Catalog/

Civis said...

Marsh:

A very cool website indeed. I didn't know you were into this kind of stuff. Cool.

Marsh Arab said...

I grew up on a family farm and raised everything from rabbits and chickens, to pigs and cattle for show. I learned then about the cooperative extension office and all of the ag center publications. For hard copies, call or visit the local cooperative extension office out by Burton Coliseum.

My folks always had a garden (and still do) and when I would run afoul of the rules, my punishment was often some sort of tending to the garden. Consequently, I learned a little, and contrary to what one would think, aquired an interest in gardening.

I have a small raised bed garden which I dedicate, for the most part, to the production of peppers. I also plant some yellow squash and zuccini.

Civis said...

I wish I would have paid more attention to what I was being taught when I was a youngin'--the main thing that did stick was composting, a skill at which I consider myself a grand wizard and wild-eyed fanatic. I've done ornamental stuff for years and at one time even dabbled in landscape contracting, but this is the first time I have seriously pursued growing vegetables on my own.

Sovereign Person said...

Civis,

Yes, I'd be interested in splitting an order in the future. Right now, I've already started probably enough tomatoes to fit the space I have, though. I have a feeling I'll be tearing up much more of my backyard as I see some sprouts coming up out of the earth & realize what can be done with all this wasted lawn!

Sovereign Person (SM)

bint alshamsa said...

Hey Civis,

I found your site through the Libertarian Republican blog. I'm down here in Louisiana, too. If you're ever interested in splitting an order, let me know and I'd be happy to go in with you. My partner and I are just getting started on our own vegetable and herb garden. We just kind of started with the stuff we like to eat, without having a real plan, and it has gone really well. We've grown enough herbs that we no longer have to buy a lot of stuff and we've been giving basil away to everyone who visits here, because that stuff just grew like crazy the second we put it in the hydroponic system we use to start all of our plants in.

Isn't it great to live in Louisiana where you can grow this stuff so easily? My grandmother has always had a garden. I mean a really serious garden. If it's a veggie that can be grown in Louisiana, she isn't going to buy it from a store. I remember when I was younger and going out there to pick garlic greens for salad, tracing the vines of peppers and muscadines that ran along the length of her fence, tasting the home-made wine that she made in big Kentwood bottles. It was great. When we lived in Algiers, my mother used to grow eggplants, tomatoes, greens, and even avocados. The ground was so fertile out there that you didn't need to add anything to it. Just turn the soil and it was good to go!

I'm stuck growing things out on the balcony of my apartment, but when we buy a house we hope to be ready to change over from pots to ground.

Civis said...

Sounds like you're on the Gulf on the other end of the state. I've tried a bunch of seeds from "Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds" but so far have not been real impressed with them, though they do have what is suppoed to be a native Louisiana Eggplant and Okra seed. I'm going to see if i have better luck with "Victory" heirloom seeds.

bint alshamsa said...

Civis,

let me know if the Victory seeds grow better for you. We're looking for a good seed source, too. It's a bit disappointing to buy seeds and then trying to get them to grow, to no avail.

Civis said...

Will do.

Oh by the way, rather than "going in" on seeds, it might make more sense to swap.

I've got limited space too (though more than a balcony) but was amazed what I could grow in pots. You can grow several bush bean plants in a 6 inch pot I discovered!

There are some people around here talking about a community garden. I wonder if you could be a part of something like that in your area.

heirloom seeds said...

Nice one! It is one of a cool catalog i've ever seen that is concerning about heirloom seeds. Very attracting especially to those who are interested in raising theses seeds. I have a good news for you! Some heirloom seeds are available over the internet! They are readily available through easier paying and shippings! Be the first to have it!