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The First Seed Catalog

December 16th, 2009

I got my first seed catalog in the mail yesterday. I know a few bloggers have already talked about getting seed catalogs, like Chicago Mike and his Seed Savers book a couple weeks ago. It was from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Baker Creek offers 1400 heirloom varieties. They offer open-pollinated seeds: pure, natural & non-GMO! Started in 1998 by Jere Gettle, as a means to preserve heirloom seeds.
Baker_Creek_Catalog_2010
It’s awfully exciting. I flipped through it quickly, but I had a lot going on so I didn’t have time to read through it. I’ll be looking through it over and over I’m sure in the coming weeks, folding pages that contain interesting veggies. I ordered most of my seeds from Baker Creek this past year and I’ll be ordering some this year as well.

Have you received your first seed catalog yet? Are you eagerly anticipating a certain one?

26 Comments to “The First Seed Catalog”
  1. tigress on December 16, 2009 at 8:19 am

    yes! i received my seed savers exchange catalog. but this one looks very interesting! i must order. i love looking through them! – and pondering the endless possibilities of the coming season!

    at the end of the year last year we finally broke down and hired the greatest couple to help us with our garden, which after 5 year of protest from me (DIY to the max) i am very happy with did. they are totally cool, and know WAY more than we do – i have visions of a new and improved garden, lots of learning, and great new friends! can’t wait!
    .-= tigress´s last blog ..roast the toast: wild apple pie =-.

    Reply to tigress's comment

  2. Mangochild on December 16, 2009 at 8:37 am

    I hope I get mine soon! I am already reading about what might work for me in the garden next year… It provides so much scope for imagination – and for dreaming about what I might plant had I more space. This year I want to do a “fake garden” over the winter, choosing seeds from the catalog and over the winter months learn about the “care and feeding” of each plant I picked, how it would grow, etc. It might be a way to keep up the spirits through the winter.
    .-= Mangochild´s last blog ..Spotlight: 2009-2010 Dark Days Week Four =-.

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  3. kristin @ going country on December 16, 2009 at 9:11 am

    I feel like the seed catalogs never actually stop coming. The promotional e-mails from the seed companies certainly never stop.
    .-= kristin @ going country´s last blog ..Ice Breakers =-.

    Reply to kristin @ going country's comment

  4. megan on December 16, 2009 at 9:11 am

    I love Baker Creek! I pour through it every year circling pretty much everything I see. Then, it takes me hours and hours to narrow down all of my choices to a practical amount of seed.
    .-= megan´s last blog ..Pozloe – Sans Pigs Head =-.

    Reply to megan's comment

    • Susy on December 16, 2009 at 11:41 am

      I can’t wait to get a cup of coffee and a red marker and dream away.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  5. Daphne on December 16, 2009 at 9:45 am

    I received my first one in November, but the eagerly anticipated one was Fedco. How I love Fedco (which is a customer and worker owned coop). They sell all the varieties heirloom or hybrid (but not GMO). They have a lot of organic heirlooms. In addition they have little numbers by each variety that tells you were your seed is coming from. The number one means small farmers. Two means family owned or cooperatives. It goes up to six. Six is Monsanto. Though they really tried to not get any Monsanto seed this year, they have one left.

    My catalog is all marked up and I’m getting my seed order together.
    .-= Daphne´s last blog ..Seeds in Need of a Good Home =-.

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  6. Mike on December 16, 2009 at 10:29 am

    Like Daphne, we received a Fedco catalog that is quickly becoming our favorite. They seem like a very honest company. I’m sure all the rest of the catalogs will be showing up soon.:)
    .-= Mike´s last blog ..Full of Beans Part 2 – My Favorite Fava =-.

    Reply to Mike's comment

  7. risa b on December 16, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Yes, we got our Fedco and our SSE. We are members of SSE. We already have a lot of seeds we’re trying to finish off; this is what I ordered yesterday to fill the gaps:

    Broccoli, Calabrese
    Cauliflower, Early Snowball
    Cucumber, Japanese climbing
    Lettuce, Flame and Forellenschuss
    Leek, Giant Musselburgh
    Pepper, Bulgarian Carrot
    Soybean, Fiske
    Tomatillo, Green
    Basil, Genovese
    Dill, Grandma Eink’s

    All of these are viable for saving seed.
    .-= risa b´s last blog ..Just like summer =-.

    Reply to risa b's comment

    • Susy on December 16, 2009 at 11:37 am

      I have a lot of seeds I need to use up as well. I have to sit down in Jan and organize them and decide what to grow next year.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  8. Dan on December 16, 2009 at 11:34 am

    I love braker creek but they will not send me a catalog. I do order from them online though, great selection and fairly priced as well. Most of my fall crops came from them, one of the few that stock all the hardy things. I have had a few catalog’s come so far but not the ones I enjoy the most, William Dam Seeds (local) and Seed Savers Exchange. I’ll have to keep waiting……
    .-= Dan´s last blog ..Garden Blogger Bloom Day =-.

    Reply to Dan's comment

  9. Andres on December 16, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    I love Baker Creek, I ordered some seeds from them this summer, and plan on ordering from them again if I need more seeds to fill in the gaps.
    .-= Andres´s last blog ..Winter Carrots =-.

    Reply to Andres's comment

  10. 1916home.net on December 16, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Of course as long as it doesnt have any Monsanto seeds in it, I will be interested.

    Ive heard good and bad news about Baker seeds on other forums and blogs. Mainly, people have ordered seeds and after planting the plants are the wrong varieties compared to what they ordered. When people have complained about this, the owner turned into an idiot on them. I think one person even labeled him the Seed Nazi. I wasnt going to post this, but Ive read about these sort of incidents with them several times now.

    I have no personal experience about them, but I did sign up for their catalog. So, if you buy some seeds and you eventually get a cantaloupe instead of a watermelon…. relax (I guess), its still edible.
    .-= 1916home.net´s last blog ..Tracking Santa =-.

    Reply to 1916home.net's comment

    • Susy on December 16, 2009 at 1:27 pm

      Yeah, I don’t mind if something doesn’t come out as thought. I find that when growing heirlooms sometimes they’re not quite what you expect.

      Reply to Susy's comment

    • viggie on December 16, 2009 at 5:00 pm

      I’ve heard this too, but only one report was first hand and a complaint about germination rates but didn’t say how many seeds or what kind of rate. But that sort of thing happens. I’ve seen far too many people swear by them (including above posters, friends, and the dervaes) for that to stop me. I am expanding my garden this year and switching to all heirloom, so I have a LOT of seeds to purchase. I already got half from Baker Creek because of their prices and other positive reviews.
      .-= viggie´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday #9 =-.

      Reply to viggie's comment

  11. Daedre on December 16, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    I got my first one from pinetree garden seeds, but my Baker Creek one hasn’t arrived yet.

    Reply to Daedre's comment

  12. Helen on December 16, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    I have received a few seed catalogs here in the UK and also ordered seeds through my clubs. I live the anticipation of seed packets

    Reply to Helen's comment

  13. Louise on December 17, 2009 at 3:41 am

    I just made a list of what I would like to order (on-line, no catalogs.) Susy, I read sometime ago that you are interested in exchanging seeds. Please email me if you are still interested; I have so many seeds and can forward you a list of what I have to share.

    Reply to Louise's comment

    • Susy on December 17, 2009 at 9:27 am

      I do sometimes trade seeds. Last year I got some very interesting tomatoes and some beautiful nasturtiums through a seed trade. I’d love to trade with you.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Louise on December 17, 2009 at 11:12 am

        Wonderful, how do I get in contact with you?

        to Louise's comment

  14. tigress on December 17, 2009 at 8:49 am

    wanted to jump back on and say that we order a lot from seeds of change. they are a great organization and we have always had great luck with their seeds.
    .-= tigress´s last blog ..indian spiced pumpkin tea cake =-.

    Reply to tigress's comment

    • Susy on December 17, 2009 at 9:29 am

      I do believe it’s important to order heirloom seeds from places like Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange. I could save a lot of seeds myself, but with limited garden space, it takes up valuable real estate. Plus I like supporting places that see the value in saving old varieties of vegetables & fruits.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  15. Daphne on December 17, 2009 at 11:12 am

    Hey Suzy. I wanted to comment (and read the comments) on your post about GM seed, but for some reason every time I try to go to the post there is nothing there. I wanted to say that Red Sails no longer has a PVP so it is no longer controlled by Monsanto. It happens to be one of my favorite lettuces and I just love it. I saved seed from it this year.
    .-= Daphne´s last blog ..Seeds in Need of a Good Home =-.

    Reply to Daphne's comment

  16. warren on December 17, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    We just got Baker Creek today! Burpee came last week but I am super excited about Baker Creek! Heehaw!
    .-= warren´s last blog ..It’s Traditional =-.

    Reply to warren's comment

  17. melissa on December 19, 2009 at 12:15 am

    I got the same catalog the other day :D Haven’t had a chance to look through it yet. <3
    .-= melissa´s last blog ..Christmas is a-comin’ and the egg is in the nog =-.

    Reply to melissa's comment

  18. Renee on December 19, 2009 at 9:03 am

    I just love this blog! Such an inspiration. You had asked for a tomato soup recipe before and I just stumbled on your blog today – (via flickr) but recipezaar.com has a great canning section.

    http://www.recipezaar.com/Moms-Best-Tomato-Soup-Canning-Recipe-44058

    It would be great if you posted a recipe there with a link back to your blog.

    Reply to Renee's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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