Winter is well upon us here on the prairie and while I lament the passing of summer and ability to work outdoors, I know that a thousand tasks lay ahead and spring will be here before I’ve had time to accomplish everything that I’ve meticulously added to my “to do” list. It might be easier if the list wasn’t an ever evolving thing but I know from experience that I’ll no sooner finish one item than six new tasks take it’s place.
One of my shortcomings is the need to research everything to exhaustion. I suppose this is an attribute that served me well as a scientist but does not always make for the most productive day- depending on your definition of ‘productive’. Right now, I’m interested in measurable goals and let’s just say I’m falling short. I’ve decided, completely against my nature, to ask for assistance. Your assistance.
Of the many tasks ahead of me is to order seeds for our garden next year. I started building the gardens this year and have big plans for next spring. Okay, not so much ‘plans’ as ideas. Landscape design is on my list of things to do. So I need to find a company that sells heirloom seeds.
I’ve come across a site that features many Canadian companies that sell heirloom seeds. Too many companies. I find myself pouring over site after site, unable to make a decision. It’s quite possible that one’s as good as the next but I have trouble believing that and as seed purchases can be expensive (and by ‘expensive’, I mean in terms of financial investment but also cost in time and effort over the growing season) I’d like to feel comfortable with my choice. I hope to do a lot more seed saving next year than I was able to this last season.
Have any of you purchased heirloom seeds and, if so, what (Canadian) company would you recommend? Also, do you have a favourite book on seed saving?
Gosh, can I ever relate to the evolving task list and measurable goals… I’m definitely happy to help someone else cross something off their list.
My favourite heirloom seed company is Prairie Garden Seeds (http://www.prseeds.ca/). Jim has always run the small company and all varieties are grown in Saskatchewan, so you know they’re prairie hardy. I consider this choice a bit altruistic, however, because I have had some (fairly minor) germination issues, and I find Jim’s price a bit high for the amount of seeds.
Otherwise I really like Richters for rare herbs and greens, Heritage Harvest or Salt Spring Seeds for what I can’t get at Prairie Garden and Bedrock Seed Bank for Alberta native plants.
If you can wait to pick up some of your seeds Seedy Sunday is always a great place to find prairie hardy seeds. The dates are usually listed on the Seeds of Diversity website.
I hope this helps!
Thanks Carissa- that’s a tremendous help! I was looking at Prairie Garden Seeds earlier (and a whole bunch of other sites!) but am so indecisive these days. Learning what seems an awful lot from scratch, I’m somewhat unbalanced by the sheer amount of unfamiliar. I’m really glad to be able to borrow on your experience. Thanks again for sharing!
I realize this is not a Canadian resource, but the American non-profit Seed Savers Exchange (here: http://www.seedsavers.org/) is dedicated to protecting heirlooms. You can buy online. I’ve not purchased from them, but almost everyone I know does. I work at a university with several biologists who exclusively use Seed Savers Exchange.
I understand the need to research everything. I am the same. Good luck!
I would also recommend the Seed Savers Exchange, although they are south of the border. They do have a retail front, from the website, but also have a membership base that exchanges seeds as well, and that might end up more local, maybe some of your neighbors are members. I would definitley check them out. They have a great story behind their existence as well.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Nancy Bubel’s book on saving seeds, called The New Seed Startes Handbook. It has loads of info on both methodology as well as encyclopedic sections on all manner of common plants and specifics for saving and started them from seed. I am constantly surprised to find a particular plant in there once I have harvested/liberated seeds from my community.
And bravo on the earthbag house. It looks great and is so inspiriing to see what you guys were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. I found your through Owen Geiger’s Earthbag building blog, and must say that I certainly feel up to the task of using earthbag construction on my next several projects. I just wish I could find a local source of bags — the brewery is ignoring me, but I have some folks at the feed store asking around. I would rather not have to buy them if I can avoid it.
Anyhow, thanks for the motivation, and good luck with the seeds. Good news is that whatever energy you put into finding good heirloom seeds will truly be repaid many times over.
Thank you Ginger. We met a young man who worked with Seed Savers last year, on a trip to Oregon. I’ll have to check out the site. And on a side note- wonderful blog!
And thank you Ecofarmer (not sure if I’m speaking with Richard or Kerry). I will definitely check out that book. I just finished reading your blogs- both sites, the Green Desert Ecofarm and One Little Farm- wonderful writing! Do you have any trendy microbreweries around? We found those to be considerably more helpful than the bigger operations. If you do end up having to purchase bags though, make sure to get the misprints at a fraction of the price. Best of luck! I look forward to reading about your continued adventures!
Brandee
Oops, forgot to sign that last comment. The wonderful writing all belongs to my wife, Kerry.
Thanks for the tip on the brewery, I am now waiting for a call back from the local microbrewery. Hopefully the’ll have something. Did you happen to know any companies that might have the misprint bags? I have found several sources, but all for new bags…
Thanks again, and stay warm up there.
Richard
I don’t know any companies in the U.S. I’m afraid. We used Super Poly out of Edmonton, Ab. Are you sure none of the companies you’ve come across have misprints? They’re not normally advertised but if you ask, there’s generally some on hand. Funny, we called Super Poly at one location and they gave us a (considerably) different price on the exact same bags as a separate location did- so I think price may be somewhat dependent on the manager you speak with. You know who may know where to get misprint bags in the U.S. is Kelly Hart or Owen Geiger, or there’s a list in the back of the Earthbag Building book by Doni Kiffmeyer and Kaki Hunter if your library carries it… Best of luck & happy building!
As a scientist you know or should know that the term heirloom seed is defined more by the seller than the seed being sold.
Today Heirloom plant variety is a cultivator that was commonly grown during earlier periods in human history [generally within the past 50 years] , but which is not used in modern large scale agriculture today.
With that said, heirloom seed can and does include wild / native plants hand selected as best of class, Hybrids both natural and man made. Really the only class of plants that can not be classified as a heirloom variety is those that have been genetically modified.
Being in Southwest USA I can be of little help on recommending a seed seller, however, I think you will be better served to select plants recommended by local gardeners Canadian agriculture agencies.
As a seed saver, be selective and save only the best of the best plant seeds for next years garden.
Good luck and above good eating.
Ah, I do wish that being a scientist made me an expert in all areas. Would mean a lot less reading. Thanks so much for the advice.
Sounds like you might need a little extra humour to help keep you warm in the winter. Try Soggy Creek Seed Co.’s ‘renamed’ heirlooms (from Ontario): http://seeds.soggycreek.com/catalogue/
What an awesome website Yan! Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated!
I sell mostly heirloom and organic, non GMo seeds and they really are heirloom and non GMO. I am in Canada and I sell to the US, as well. I am just a small private farm, not a large seed company, so I don’t have a lot of variety, but I do keep my prices down and shipping to a minimum.