It's midnight, and I'm up trying to keep two fires burning - one for the house and one in the greenhouse. What better thing do I have to do between stoking the fires than update the ol' blog?
Before I get into my catalog list, I want to give an update on what's growing.
I have several hundred one-gallon angel trumpet plants that I began rooting in November. Many are already large enough for sale, but it's still a couple of months before that will happen.
I've been doing some transplanting of various herb plants that rooted in late summer. I think I actually heard some of them sigh in relief when I pulled them from their cramped quarters in the rooting trays.
In an attempt to keep the seeds from rotting in the ground I have started about 1000 plugs of early peas for transplanting to the field at Oak Bluff Farm. I have about 1000 seeds for the plug trays then the remainder will go directly into the row. I hope I'm not putting all this work into preparing a fresh salad bar for the deer.
Now, on to the list.
Every winter I receive many seed and plant catalogs from all over the United States and Canada. As I said in my last entry, I try to do the bulk of my business with companies that are close by. The order usually arrives sooner and shipping across country isn't cheap, or environmentally friendly. Sometimes, though, you have to get it where you can.
Here is a list of catalogs that I have received that I have yet to order from, but may give me the opportunity to try something new. They are in no particular order.
J.L. Hudson Seedsman
PO Box 337
La Honda, California 94020
J.L. Hudson runs a respected seed house on the west coast. He was saving seeds before it was the cool thing to do. You will find many unusual seed varieties in this catalog, and you'll get an education by taking the time to read through it.
Irish Eyes Garden Seeds
5045 Robinson Canyon Road
Ellensburg, Washington 98926
I think this is the first year that I've received this catalog. They say that they offer the largest selection of potatoes, garlic, shallots, onions and organic vegetable seed in the U.S. I guess I need to take a closer look.
Annie's Heirloom Seeds
12123 Darby Rd
Clarksville, Michigan 48815
This is a nice catalog with a very colorful front cover and a lot of color on the inside as well. This looks like a family business that carries only heirloom varieties, so I may try to give them a bit of business this season.
Heirloom Acres Seeds
2529 CR#338
New Bloomfield, Missouri 65063
I received two of these catalogs for some reason, both with the same handwritten address and both bearing two 42¢ stamps. I think they may be trying to get my attention. Just kidding. This catalog has no photos, but there are descriptions of a wide variety of heirloom seeds that may be worth the look for something different. If you are local to me and would like to have my extra catalog just drop me an email and we'll arrange to pass it on.
Territorial Seed Company
PO Box 158
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
Territorial offers a great selection of seeds and plants. They also have a line of garden supplies. A good variety of vegetables, flowers and herbs with color photos.
Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Road
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Seed Savers is a catalog of heirloom, open-pollinated seeds. They also have books and gift items in this full-color catalog. They boast of having the largest non-government seed banks in North America. A large variety of seeds may be found here.
Kitazawa Seed Company
PO Box 13220
Oakland, California 94661
I was excited to find this catalog in my mailbox. This company has been offering nothing but Asian varieties of vegetable seeds for 94 years! Wow! I am going to trey a few things here and hopefully I'll have some fresh Asian veggies to take to market this season. We'll see.
Bountiful Gardens
18001 Shafer Ranch Rd
Willits, California 95490
I've received this catalog for a couple of years, but have yet to order from them. They have a good selection of heirloom, untreated, open-pollinated seeds. There are a few rather unusual items here, and have a good selection of grains and cover crops. Shipping these products to North Carolina from California would be quite expensive, though.
Tomato Growers Supply Company
PO Box 60015
Fort Myers, Florida 33906
Lots of tomato stuff here, if you're looking for it.
That's about it for now. Catalogs seem to keep arriving, so I may be able to post a few more.
I haven't yet posted any of the "plants or bulbs only" catalogs that I receive, so be on the lookout for that post.
It will be much shorter.
Stay warm. Speaking of which, it's now 1:00 am and I need to go out and check the fires. Outside temp is 31ยบ and falling.
Spring can't arrive soon enough. 66 days.
