Gardeners know January is the month when gardening really begins. Before the soil can be worked, before the seeds can be planted, the dream of springs garden must be realized.
Plus, its when seed catalogs begin to arrive. They seem to show up earlier and earlier every year. I got the first one in December. While I do enjoy the variety of seed catalogs I receive, I rarely start any plants for the garden from seed unless I can direct sow them in the garden. I have several reasons, namely Big Al, Annie, Boo Boo, Nedda, Tina and Mike. Seed starts are attractive to cats, and the six that share my home think I plant them just for them.
And starting seeds takes a lot of space and a lot of warmth and light. Fortunately for me, there are a host of local and regional nurseries that offer starts, including some 19th century varieties that I prefer over the modern hybrids.
Open pollinated, heirloom plants are superior to modern hybrids for a variety of reasons, the main one being taste. They simply taste better. Produce from the grocery store has been bred to travel in the back of a tractor-trailer, picked green and artificially ripened. The home gardener and even family farms that grow food to sell at seasonal markets have an advantage when they choose to grow heirloom varieties: they dont have to worry about shipping their produce. It can go straight from the garden to the table.
A great deal of inspiration can come from a seed catalog. Some, like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, offer a free Rare Seed catalog with more than 1,700 different varieties of seeds with stunning photos to tempt your senses. Their second annual Whole Seed Catalog is $8, but its worth every penny because it contains histories, anecdotes, recipes and tips for growing, preserving and a guide to living off the land. You can order both catalogs at www.rareseeds.com
Still my personal favorite seed source is Le Jardin du Gourmet. This simple catalog contains no photographs, but has a wide variety of open pollinated seeds in smaller packages. Not everyone needs 300 carrot seeds. Known for their garlic, shallots and leeks, they also offer quality vegetable and herb seeds. You can find out more here: www.artisticgardens.com/
Seeds are a business, but protecting the diversity of what we can grow is as well. Outfits like Seed Savers Exchange, a nonprofit organization, conserve and promote Americas culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants. They offer their seeds and plants for sale, so home gardeners can carry on the tradition of growing tasty, nutritious food like their ancestors did long ago. Learn more about them here: www.seedsavers.org
As you peruse the pages of the seed catalogs this month, think ahead to what you might want to include in the garden this spring. Consider growing Mother Stallard, Jacobs Cattle or some other bean youve never tried. Try growing Chiltoma Grande de Ometepe, a traditional indigenous pepper from the fertile island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua, or the Golden Juniata tomato developed in 1870.
Youll be amazed at what seed varieties exist. If we dont plant them, the magic within these tiny seeds tied to our past will be lost forever.
