I finally finished my seed orders. I placed 2 of the orders today, at Cook’s Garden and Jung. I will place the Territorial and Baker Heirloom seed orders April 1.

I just discovered Baker Heirloom. Next year I plan to order as much as possible from them. If you have not received their gorgeous catalog, try to sign up. It is a work of art from a young family trying to compete with the big guys. They offer an amazing array or heirloom varieties from around the world.

I try to buy local if I can but only big brands names are offered at the stores here. This is a dilemma for me…I want to buy locally as much as I can, yet doing so gives me few options for seeds.  So, I spread my seed dollars around: locally, heirloom companies, gourmet seeds, and stuff I just have to have, regardless!

My total cost for all seeds will be approximately $200.00. This output may seem high; however it’s an investment in high quality food.  I freeze and pickle large amounts of my produce, and each fall I store bushels of winter squash, potatoes, and garlic. I  purchased vegetables only a few times this winter.

My garden is also a source of gifts. During the season I share my flowers and give away lots of veggies. I give pickles and garlic braids as gifts. Considering all these factors, $200 is a small investment; however, I completely recover this investment by selling  at the Farmer’s Market.

Flower seeds and bulbs are another story that I will write about later in the spring.

See full seed lists below!

Seed I bought locally

Northrup King:

• Pea: Sugar Snap and Early Alaska
• Chard, Fordhook Giant
• Beet, Ruby Queen
• Winter Squash Mix: buttercup, gold nugget, acorn, true green Hubbard, spaghetti
• Carrot, Chantenay Red Cored
• Zucchini, Golden
• Bush Bean; Contender and French Filet
• Pole Bean, Kent:ucky Wonder
• Large Red Cherry Tomato

Plantation Brand

• Tomato:San Marzano and Roma
• Basil, Genovese

Lake Valley Seed

• Kale, Vates  Dwarf Blue
• Parsnip, Hollow Crown

Purchased in Cheyenne (Sam’s Club)

• Backyard Vegetable Garden Kit with: horseradish root, yellow/white/red onions, Italian/Silver Rose/California White Garlic, and red/yellow shallots

Cooks Garden- online order

• Cooks Soup Stock Collection (Celeriac, Leeks, Carrots, root parsley)
• Bush Bean: Hutterite Heirloom and Nickle Filet
• Okra, Greenie Hybrid
• Fennel
• Tomatillo, Pineapple
• Eggplant fingerling blend

Jung Seed- online order

• Cherry Belle Radish (will use as an early cover crop on main season beds)
• Joi Choi and Toy Choi (Pac Joi)
• Cabbage Babies Triplet (green, purple, and savoy mix)
• Stevia
• Onion Sets: Red and Yellow Stuttgarter
• Red Norland Potato Sets
• All Blue Potato Sets
• Kennebec Potato Sets
• Asparagus roots
• Radish, Purple Plum

Territorial Seed Co- will order online April 1, 2012

• Bush been: Speedy
• Corn: Succession Pack
• Cucumber, pickle,  Diamante
• Cucumber, Rocky
• Spinach, Bordeaux
• Kale, Nero Di Toscana
• Cabbage, Quick Start
• Tomato: Glacier and Beaver Lodge

Baker Creek Heirloom- will order online April 1, 2012

• Edamame
• Pole Bean, Chinese Green Noodle
• Ground Cherry, Cape Gooseberry
• Cabbage, Brunswick
• Summer Squash:  Romanesco and Green Tint Scallop
• Eggplant, Thai Heirloom and Japanese White Egg
• Gourd, Loofa
• Lettuce, Blend
• Okra, Star of David
• Hot Peppers: Thai Red Chili and Giant Jalapeno
• Sweet Peppers: Pepperoncini and Red Mini Bell

Later in season, I will order:  Pea/bean inoculate, cilantro and other herbs