I know you are at home wishing you could stroll the aisles of your favorite
garden supply store. My local favorite is Plant Depot and they are open
until three o'clock, but call and make sure of the hours.
In late winter my mailbox fills with seed catalogs and I spend hours reading
them just as honored as the poetry books I ordered this year when so many
book tours and release parties have been cancelled. I only go to my post office
to pick up mail every other week, to avoid my elaborate mask, glasses, hat,
alcohol spray, avoidance of touching anything, and protocol.
alcohol spray, avoidance of touching anything, and protocol.
I want to share one of my life's pleasures with you. It's picking out seeds
to plant for the early spring. I'm Zone 9a - yes that's like some Zodiac
sign that people say on their Match.com profile, not.
I have posted photos of picture packets which I quite love, but serious organic gardeners or farmers would frown at the watercolor illustrations
and a small amount of joy inside the paper folder.
and a small amount of joy inside the paper folder.
For as long as I recall I've been a trader on free
seed co-ops and seed trade companies. You may search local for some affiliated with Garden Groups
on Facebook or your local Arboretum or Botanical Garden.
Many have annual trades, swaps or sales, and will mail out seeds to those who request them.
on Facebook or your local Arboretum or Botanical Garden.
Many have annual trades, swaps or sales, and will mail out seeds to those who request them.
You may also receive
some free seeds when you request a free catalog.
My favorite seed trade sites are:
Set up and account and post what you have to trade or are hoping to find. They are in Iowa. in addition to flowers, vegetables they also have herbs
Houzz Seed Exchange offers local seed exchanges, try searching for a seed library to find one near you.
Seed
Savers' Network (Australia): Similar to the American based
Seed Saver Exchange, above.
GardenWeb
Facebook group: Great American Seed Swap/Exchange/Trade
North American Lily Society
North American Rock Garden Society
You can order catalogs to be mailed to you for free from most growers. Many have lovely illustrations online and ordering is simple. Because of 2020 corona virus expect many to be short staffed, pretty much the owner is printing, bagging and mailing to you direct.
Here are some of my all time favorite companies:
Annies
request a free seed catalog
Facebook group: Great American Seed Swap/Exchange/Trade
North American Lily Society
North American Rock Garden Society
You can order catalogs to be mailed to you for free from most growers. Many have lovely illustrations online and ordering is simple. Because of 2020 corona virus expect many to be short staffed, pretty much the owner is printing, bagging and mailing to you direct.
Here are some of my all time favorite companies:
Annies
request a free seed catalog
Baker Creek The Finest with the BEST illustrations. I love this company. Super quality, tremendous descriptions and details about how to plant and what to expect.
www.rareseeds.com
Burpee
www.burpee.com
Fedco
A purist! They don’t make your grandmother’s picture packets but a poet writes the descriptions. They offer many cold hearty seeds.
https://www.fedcoseeds.com/trees/requests.htm
Johnny’s Seeds
www.johnnyseeds.com
Jung Seed
www.jungseed.com
Richters
Be prepared to spend hours here reading. Absolute cure for corona virus shut in depression, vicariously enjoy spring.
Experts on medicinal plants, advice for all types of gardeners, the finest of suppliers.
https://www.richters.com/show.cgi?page=requst2.html
Botanical interests
free seed catalog
Free Seed Catalog - Heirloom, Organic - Seed Savers Exchange
https://www.harrisseeds.com/collections/catalogs
John Fendley was nearly ruined by the Paradise Fire as many employees lived in Paradise, California.
I encourage you to order from this company which is a fabulous testament to America!
https://sustainableseedco.com/
gorgeous photos of flowers |
and an early peony from my garden |