If you know me at all, you know I have one weakness. O.K. maybe more than one. Let’s put it this way; my family is about to call an intervention because I am addicted to seeds! I can’t help myself. They have such hidden potential!
Hello, My name is Dash and I struggle with seed saving.
There it is, out there for all the world to see. Now that might not seem like a huge problem at first glance. I mean if you had to have an addiction, why not let it be seeds?Except for one small, well, really biggish problem. I sometimes, o.k. to be truthful, very seldom, have time to get the actual seed out of the flower, stalk or pod. So they end up in paper bags or bowls, hidden, tucked and stacked around my house. Each container has a little scribbled note included, in the mix, describing what that “seed” will turn into.
So this Spring when I was pouring over my favorite seed catalogs and feverishly making a list of all the seeds I would need to order, my husband came up behind me and casually asked, “What are you up to?” To which I , trying to sound just as casual, replied, “Why nothing, nothing at all?” All the while I was trying to shove all the seed catalogs under my gardening journal without success.
He wasn’t fooled.
My wonderful Knight in Baseball Cap and Jeans reached for the list. I thought about cramming it into my mouth at first, but ended up crumpling it into a ball and pitching it far across the room. We both ran for it. We found ourselves in a tangled mess on the living room floor(which wasn’t totally unenjoyable) struggling over a wad of crumpled paper. It was about this time when our kids began to notice our, err, unusual activity and gathered around with concerned expressions on their faces. My eyes scanned the small huddle for allies. Who could I throw my coveted seed list to? “The Wild One” is always up for keep away, no matter what the item is. For a while this mayhem ensued, with not all involved, even aware of what they were fighting for. Any-whoo, I think one thing is clear; I have a weakness for seeds.
Now most seed catalogs I can resist, the lack luster pictures, the dry descriptions. Need I go on… However, there is one seed catalog with THE most amazing photography and stories of where the seeds come from. I think they have collected seeds from around the world with the histories and origins to go along with them! Who can gaze upon this publication and not swoon with delight! (husband raises his hand ands says “me”) Ignore him.
This folks, is amazing seed saving excellence at it’s finest. The company I am describing is none other than, drum roll please…..Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Wait for it… it gets better! Everything in that catalog, you can save the seeds from to plant again and it will come true to the original plant! I know! It sends chills down my spine! Wait it gets even better…they sent me free seeds in my order! Like I have indicated above, the way to my heart is clearly seeds. So when someone sends me free ones, just because….be still my beating heart!
Full disclosure here; I am not being paid for this post, I JUST LOVE THEIR SEEDS!!
Because I write a blog and am always wanting to give the little guy a chance, I always try a new seed company every year. This year I tried a few different ones. Not naming any names, but when I got my seeds they were in little plastic bags. Now if you live down South like me, humidity is NOT your friend, neither is plastic, which traps in the evil seed killing dampness.
Furthermore, I have to add, that every experienced gardener is wanting, a description of that plant with dates until harvest, printed right on that seed packet; NOT on a slip of paper they are likely to lose, stapled to that seed packet! Nor is this gardener going to want to search through their seed catalog trying in vain to find this information. The worst scenario of all is to have your little garden helper of roughly 7 yrs old hand you a little clear plastic packet of seeds with NO identification whatsoever. NOOOOOOOO!
You don’t have to worry about any of this with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. The information you want is right there on a paper package with a stunning picture that makes you just long for Spring! You don’t have to take my word for it. You can experience this amazing seed saving excellence for yourself!
Happy seed shopping! Dash
I’m a Baker Creek fan, too! In fact, I’ve written posts about some of the different plants I’ve grown and loved, and I also toured their facility last summer and wrote about that. I love their catalog! I get tons of garden catalogs, but if they don’t have color photos, I throw them away. I’ve been ordering seeds almost exclusively from Baker Creek for many years now. I also appreciate their pretty seed packets. I’ve kept some of the empty ones, thinking I could use them for a craft project someday.
Thanks for working with me on this great post, Dash… I agree, part of Baker Creek’s alluringness is indeed their beautiful packaging. 🙂
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