BYG: Seed Catalogs

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It's hard to believe that I actually had a garden of any sort in the last year.  Between the insanely hot summer, and the move, my garden felt like more of a flop than a success.  My good soil is still packed up in trash bins with holes, waiting to make the debut in garden boxes at the new house.  While the workload is too overwhelming to think about on this chilly winter day, it is actually time to start thinking about what I want to plant this year. 

I just ordered a seed catalog, and I feel a little guilty about it, but I know I can cut and paste the pages or recycle it.  I just want something tangible that I can pour over for days while I make up my mind.  You can now do most of your seed purchasing on-line.

With all the genetically modified seeds floating around these days, I'm getting a little picky about my choices this year and I'm willing to pay a little more money for seed God didn't intend for us to tweek.  The catalog I ordered is from Seed Savers Exchange.  There are many great safe* seed companies out there with organic seeds, but this small company holds a special place in my heart.  They specialize in heirloom seeds.  Maybe it's just me, but when I bite in a tomato these days, I don't usually know I'm eating one.  What I mean is, they have been modified to pack well and travel long distances and the flavor has been taken right out.  If I'm eating a tomato, I want to taste it. 

Heirloom seeds have been saved from plants over the generations.  They have NOT been modified.  They are a big part of our heritage and I want to help preserve that movement by supporting this company that is working to make that happen. 

The January/February issue of Urban Farm has a great list of seed catalog companies and you can find more information in this post.

What are you planting this year? 


*A pledge that has been signed by some seed companies that states they will not knowingly sell genetically modified seeds.  Go here to see a list of companies that have signed the pledge.