My favorite Seed Sources

Turnip 'des Vertus Marteau' from L'Atelier Vert...

 
As a certified organic farmer, I must always order certified organic seed. However, if there is a variety of something that I can't find anywhere organically, I'm allowed to buy it, as long as it isn't genetically modified, pelleted, or treated. I also try to save seed from those plants for the next year. So this list reflects that - some of the companies below do not sell certified organic seed, but they sell seeds that can't be found anywhere else.

Here's the list - in no particular order!  

Irish Eyes Garden Seeds [many certified organic]

This is where I get my seed potatoes and shallot bulbs from. Fabulous assortment.   

Stellar Seeds:  [certified organic] 

A lovely company - very small; up in Canada, so shipping takes quite a while. My favorites are the He-Shi-Ko naturalizing green onion, and they have awesome lettuces: Drunken Woman varigated and blushed looseleaf, Freckles (Forellenschluss Trout's Back) romaine, Hilde butterhead, Yugoslavian Red butterhead. Love them! Even though they don't carry a huge variety, their assortment of varieties is well-crafted - you can easily get all your garden seeds from here and have an extremely unusual and exciting mix of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and greens.

Sandhill Preservation:  [not certified organic, but a company with a very strict heirloom philosophy; no GMO seeds.]

This place is intense; they raise and nurture heirloom seeds and heritage poultry. Sometimes they have the elusive Papalo seeds and/or Bolivian Coriander seeds - two of my favorite plants that are so hard to find! This is also where I get the Tendergreen mustard seeds. You can also get chicks and turkey poults. This company is very small and so give them time to get your order together by ordering as early in the year as possible. We've also bought chicks from Sandhill!

Horizon Herbs:   [certified organic] We now carry some of these seed varieties at Midsummer Farm!

If you want to find a rare and unusual herb seed that is also organic, this is where you turn! Owned by Richo Cech, who is the North American Guru of medicinal herb growing - this is such as huge resource!  We carry the following seeds from Horizon Herbs: Arnica, Astragalus, Borage, Calendula, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Elecampane, Evening Primrose, German Chamomile, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Marshmallow,Self Heal Skullcap, and Queen of the Meadow.

Swallowtail Garden Seeds:  [not certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds]  A fabulous selection of unusual pollinator-friendly flowers. I get my violas, agastache, foxglove, columbine, and a whole slew of other fun things from them every year. Nice clear growing instructions on their website.

Johnny's Seeds: [large percentage of certified organic, no GMO, Safe-Seed Pledge]  First of all, I have to mention the Johnny's Seeds Catalog - I carry it around in the spring. It is jam-packed with info and direction and insight. It really is a great reference tool. This is where I buy the bulk of my vegetable and greens seeds.

Seeds of Change:  [certified organic]  I've always been very happy with these seeds - this year I'm planning on ordering all my melons from Seeds of Change - they have some great new solid hybrids out this year that I want to try. Melons are one crop I usually go for the hybrids with as the heirloom melons can be very tricky to grow around here. 

Peaceful Valley Farm Supply: They carry the following brands: Renee's, Peaceful Valley, Horizon Herb, Turtle Tree, Tomato Fest, Seeds of Change: [mostly certified organic; Turtle Tree is Biodynamic; Renee's are not certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds] Great seeds from great companies - and they offer free seeds with purchases. I get all my bulk cover crop seeds from them as well. Their catalog really does contain everything anyone growing organically could use - fertilizers, greenhouse supplies, soil amendments, row cover, etc. etc. The only issue is shipping this stuff from California, which is where they are located. Shipping is costly for heavy stuff; seeds work out fine....
 
Bountiful Gardens:  [certified organic] This is John Jeavons' company. He is the pioneer of French Intensive Agriculture and has written How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine and The Sustainable Vegetable Garden: A Backyard Guide to Healthy Soil and Higher Yields, two of my favorite gardening books, that I have pretty much based my own gardening-philosophy upon.  

How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine

by John Jeavons by Ten Speed Press

Paperback ~ Release Date: 2006-10-01

List Price: $19.99

Our Price: $11.65

Buy Now 

The Sustainable Vegetable Garden: A Backyard Guide to Healthy Soil and Higher Yields

by John Jeavons by Ten Speed Press

Paperback ~ Release Date: 1999-02-01

List Price: $12.99

Our Price: $7.45

Buy Now 

A fabulous selection of unusual flowers. I get my colored achillea, morning glories, super-sweet-smelling dianthus, various hard-to-find primulas (an obsession of mine), as well as a whole slew of other fun things from them every year.

Turtle Tree Seeds: [Demeter Certified (Biodynamic)]

Turtle Tree features unusual European varieties that are steeped in Biodynamic Tradition, as well as being certified biodynamic. I've always done great with these seeds. They even have Mangels, a traditional winter feed for rabbits and chickens. I also make sure to buy the 4 of the 5 most important biodynamic herb seeds from here - Stinging Nettles, White Yarrow, Valerian, and German Chamomile (the 5th is Dandelion, actual dandelion, taraxacum,  for which I don't need seeds!

Gourmet Seed: [not certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds]  2010 was the first year I ordered from them - I was looking for new varieties of greenhouse cucumbers and ended up buying a whole slew of various seeds from them.
 
Territorial Seed: [not certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds]  Great prices and huge variety, but not organic. I turn to them when I can't find a variety I want in certified organic from.

Baker Creek: [not certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds]  I love these people - I've been getting Jere Gettle's catalog since I think he was high school, and he sure has turned his passion into a huge company! The catalog is absolutely gorgeous - the photos make it so clear that these people sincerely and truly love vegetables and plants! And the variety of totally cool things! Just awesome!

Botanical Interests:  [some certified organic varieties, and I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds]  This website is so much fun to navigate in - they have they seeds all categorized under a a whole bunch of different categories - everything from heirloom to bloom period to deer resistant to height even! Tons of info on their seed packets, very useful. And the seed packets are gorgeous.

Asian Vegetable Seeds / Evergreen Seeds: [not certified organic, but they carry so many things not available anywhere else!]  More than 350 varieties of Asian vegetable seeds - Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Thai. This is where we get the seeds for our much-loved Tianjin Green Chinese Celery. We're also planning to try a selection of Asian cucumbers this year to grow along with our favorite European cucumbers from last year's trials. I would also like to taste test some new and different Pak Choi (Bok Choy).

Kitazawa Seed Company:  [not certified organic, but they carry so many things not available anywhere else!]  Another fabulous assortment of Asian varieties. I want to try their version of Kinh Gioi Vietnamese Mint or Vietnamese Balm this year - last year I had terrible luck with germination of this herb from another company. This one seems to be a wider leaf style and worth another try!   

L'Atelier Vert: [certified organic (Agriculture Biologique AB)] This is where I get the Coco Tarbais Shelling Bean seeds that I can't live without! Fabulous French Melons as well! Ice Plant seeds! This site is made of seeds from a variety of organic French farmers. Order early in the year as it can take a while for the seeds to get to you.

Seeds from Italy / Franchi:  [some certified organic varieties: (Biologica)]  We carry some of these varieties at Midsummer Farm!  Franchi Seeds of Italy is the world's oldest family owned seed company founded in 1783.This is where I get my arugula, many chicories, erba stella, white gherkins, escarole, wild fennel. I will be growing 3 different types of Punctarella this year from Franchi as well as Agretti! At Midsummer Farm, we carry the following seeds from Franchi: Arugula, cultivated, Bean, Borlotto Bean Lingua di Fuoco, Carrot, Nantes di Chioggia, Endive & escarole mix, Lettuce, Butterhead, Regina Maggio (May Queen), Spinach, America, Squash, Winter, Marina di Chioggia, and Tomato, San Marzano!

Pinetree Garden Seeds:  [not certified organic, and can carry some treated seeds] A solid seed source though - very good prices and a great selection.

Garden Edibles: [not certified organic, but carries varieties you can't find anywhere else]  Exclusive US importer, mail order distributor for Emanuele LaRosa Sementi located in Bari in the region of Apulia. LaRosa Sementi is a family owned and operated company specializing in vegetables, some varieties unique to southern Italy. They also carry the Franchi Seeds, which I've always loved, and now carry 8 varieties.  

Hudson Valley Seed Library:  [many are certified organic]  This is a truly awesome place to get your seeds - you can join the Seed Library as a member. Members can save the seeds from the plants they grow and return them back to the Seed Library. You are a part of the whole process of building a Hudson Valley seed bank!

For Cool Tomatoes: 

This is another very small company - great variety of really unusual tomatoes. I always order "Stump of the World" tomatoes from here - and last year I tried a nice variety of smaller pear-shaped varieties - germination was solid.  

Tomato Fest:  [some certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds] 

I haven't yet ordered from here, but I keep hearing about them - they offer a large selection of different tomatoes - so I plan to try some this year!

Totally Tomatoes   [not certified organic, but I have been assured by the company that they do not use any GMO seeds] 

Fabulous variety of tomatoes as well as peppers and eggplants~

Please note! We had to make some changes and do some rescheduling due to the icy weather we had in February. Below is our current, revised listing.

You can register for workshops and events by emailing us or by filling out our registration form, which you can download here!  

Constructing Delicious and Nourishing Soups and Broths Workshop

Saturday, February 26th 2011, 11 am - 12 noon

One of the healthiest convenience foods is a big pot of minestrone soup or chicken broth full of carrots and escarole. Soups and broths make a hearty breakfast, can travel easily as lunches, and are a satisfying snack food. A big pot of simmering soup on the stove is a great comfort to the home. Learn how to easily make a variety of broths and stocks and take home an exciting collection of soup recipes. In the Farm Kitchen | $36.00 | Registration closes 2/24/11.

Plotting Out Your Home Organic Garden

Sunday, February 27th 2011, 11 am - 1pm

Cooking with Dark Leafy Greens Workshop

Saturday, March 5th 2011, 11 am - 1 pm

Dark Leafy Greens - The #1 Missing Ingredient in Today's Diets! We will demonstrate a wide range of ways to use dark leafy greens of all types. You will leave feeling empowered to live more healthily with a solid collection of great recipes. Workshop is hands on and tasting is encouraged. In the farm kitchen. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 3/2/11.

CSA Day

Cooking Eggs - Midsummer Farm's Best Egg Recipes and Methods

Sunday, March 13th 2011, 9 am - 11 am

Includes breakfast in the sunny greenhouse!

Everything from simple tips like how to tell the freshness of an egg, or how to hard-boil a freshly laid egg, to building our favorite egg recipes like Nicoise Salad, Luscious Acadian Style Scrambled Eggs, a variety of Frittatas and Omelets using seasonal ingredients, Shirred Eggs with Spring Greens, and more! Participants will also receive a copy of our new Midsummer Farm Egg Recipe Book. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 3/11/11.

Backyard Organic Poultry Rearing Workshop

Sunday, March 13th, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

For anyone who has dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this course will guide you through starting up your own flock and in organic and natural rearing methods. We will discuss all of our secrets to Organic chicken care that we have discovered over the years. Chickens are wonderful stewards of the earth; and kept in proper conditions, chickens are valuable assets to the garden, lawn, and compost pile. They also provide backyard joy. They are easy to take care of, are not noisy or smelly, and are an important part of the Organic garden. This is the optimal time of year to bring chicks home. And we may also have chicks and/or young birds available for sale at the end of the workshop. (Please be sure to check with your town to make sure that chickens are allowed where you live.) Workshop takes place mostly outside (dress appropriately - wear boots) and is weather permitting. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 3/11/11

Composting as an Art

Saturday, March 19th 2011, 10 am - 12 noon

How to develop a garden soil that is teaming with life forces. At Midsummer Farm, we consider our compost to be the center of our farm's success. Our soil health plan is approached as an art from. We'll go through the grace and the science of composting, as well as Biodynamic Compost Preparations, compost teas, foliar nutrient sprays, inoculants, and fertilizing in general. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 3/17/11.

Gardening For Good Bugs Workshop

Saturday, March 19th 2011, 1 - 3 pm

This is one of our passions! We love bugs. The focus of this workshop is to garden for your good bugs, provide them what they need (and maybe a little extra), and regain balance in your garden to prevent the bad bugs from damaging your harvest. We will get into native pollinators, honey bees, butterflies, predatory bugs and mites, etc. Cost is $36 | registration closes 3/17/11.  

Free Lecture! Take Your Health Up a Notch!

Sunday, March 20th 2011, 10 am - 12 noon

Plotting Out Your Home Organic Garden

Friday, March 25th 2011, 1 - 3pm

Making Homemade Dog & Cat Food Workshop

Sunday, March 27th , 10 am - 12 noon

Featured in the NY Times! Check out the article here!

Healthier, Economical, Delicious. Either as a supplementary meal or as your pets' regular diet, homemade food is better, safer, and easy to make. We will mix up a batch of balanced food using raw chicken as a base. We'll go over tons of options in food bases - raw vs cooked, various nutritional additions, dogs vs cats, special needs pets, and discuss the wide range of commercial diets and brands. You'll take home recipes, a clearer knowledge of the commercial pet food available, and resources for suppliers. We'll also make up a wonderful whole foods supplement that you can add to a commercial diet using higher quality ingredients and for a lot less money than the fancy brand names. Even if you're not ready to switch over completely to a homemade diet, you'll get a lot from this workshop. In the Farm Kitchen. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 3/24/11

Cooking Eggs - Midsummer Farm's Best Egg Recipes and Methods

Saturday, April 9th 2011, 9 am - 11 am

Includes breakfast in the sunny greenhouse!

Everything from simple tips like how to tell the freshness of an egg, or how to hard-boil a freshly laid egg, to building our favorite egg recipes like Nicoise Salad, Luscious Acadian Style Scrambled Eggs, a variety of Frittatas and Omelets using seasonal ingredients, Shirred Eggs with Spring Greens, and more! Participants will also receive a copy of our new Midsummer Farm Egg Recipe Book. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 4/7/11.

Backyard Organic Poultry Rearing Workshop

Saturday, April 9th, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

For anyone who has dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this course will guide you through starting up your own flock and in organic and natural rearing methods. We will discuss all of our secrets to Organic chicken care that we have discovered over the years. Chickens are wonderful stewards of the earth; and kept in proper conditions, chickens are valuable assets to the garden, lawn, and compost pile. They also provide backyard joy. They are easy to take care of, are not noisy or smelly, and are an important part of the Organic garden. This is the optimal time of year to bring chicks home. And we may also have chicks and/or young birds available for sale at the end of the workshop. (Please be sure to check with your town to make sure that chickens are allowed where you live.) Workshop takes place mostly outside (dress appropriately - wear boots) and is weather permitting. Cost is $36 | registration closes 4/7/11

Micro Farming Open Discussion  

Sunday, April 10th 2011, 11 am - about 1 pm

This will be a gathering of like minded people wanting to either enhance the quality and artisanal productiveness of their own backyard, or people wanting to start a small business farming sustainably. Snacks will be served; Farm Tour. Free | But Please RSVP! 

Farm Tour Day

Saturday, April 16th 2011, meet on the hour 10 am - 2 pm

We'll walk the farm - and you can see our growing methods, talk about how permaculture works on our farm, pet the animals, taste and smell the herbs, and experience what makes this a sustainable farm. Kids can even harvest their own eggs! Tour includes the veggie garden plots, greenhouse, compost, poultry breeding facilities, rabbitry, and the greenhouse. $10 per person, $5 for children.  

Themed Container Garden Workshop

Sunday, April 17th 2011, 11 am - 1pm

Whether you only have a small patio to work with or acres of growing fields, themed container gardens are so useful and alluring. We'll go through the basics of setting them up, and discuss some creative themes like container garden for: flavored-waters, various salad options, pesto, bean salad, dark leafy greens, evening tea, salsa, mini-moon, etc. Bring ideas with you, we'll go over what you need and how to organize the plants for top efficiency and health. Cost is $36 | registration closes 4/15/11

Cooking Eggs - Midsummer Farm's Best Egg Recipes and Methods

Sunday, May 1st 2011, 9 am - 11 am

Includes breakfast in the sunny greenhouse!

Everything from simple tips like how to tell the freshness of an egg, or how to hard-boil a freshly laid egg, to building our favorite egg recipes like Nicoise Salad, Luscious Acadian Style Scrambled Eggs, a variety of Frittatas and Omelets using seasonal ingredients, Shirred Eggs with Spring Greens, and more! Participants will also receive a copy of our new Midsummer Farm Egg Recipe Book. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 4/29/11.

Backyard Organic Poultry Rearing Workshop

Sunday, May 1st 2011, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

For anyone who has dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this course will guide you through starting up your own flock and in organic and natural rearing methods. We will discuss all of our secrets to Organic chicken care that we have discovered over the years. Chickens are wonderful stewards of the earth; and kept in proper conditions, chickens are valuable assets to the garden, lawn, and compost pile. They also provide backyard joy. They are easy to take care of, are not noisy or smelly, and are an important part of the Organic garden. This is the optimal time of year to bring chicks home. And we may also have chicks and/or young birds available for sale at the end of the workshop. (Please be sure to check with your town to make sure that chickens are allowed where you live.) Workshop takes place mostly outside (dress appropriately - wear boots) and is weather permitting. Cost is $36 | registration closes 4/29/11

Open Farm Day to Celebrate Healthy Living!

Sunday, June 5th 2011, times to be announced  Children's gardening activities as well as discussions and interactive activities and cooking demos all centered on celebrating health and revitalizing energy! Free | Please RSVP by 6/1/11 so we can plan!

Cooking Eggs - Midsummer Farm's Best Egg Recipes and Methods

Sunday, June 12th 2011, 9 am - 11 am

Includes breakfast in the sunny greenhouse!

Everything from simple tips like how to tell the freshness of an egg, or how to hard-boil a freshly laid egg, to building our favorite egg recipes like Nicoise Salad, Luscious Acadian Style Scrambled Eggs, a variety of Frittatas and Omelets using seasonal ingredients, Shirred Eggs with Spring Greens, and more! Participants will also receive a copy of our new Midsummer Farm Egg Recipe Book. Cost is $36 | Registration closes 6/9/11.

Backyard Organic Poultry Rearing Workshop

Sunday, June 12th 2011, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

For anyone who has dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this course will guide you through starting up your own flock and in organic and natural rearing methods. We will discuss all of our secrets to Organic chicken care that we have discovered over the years. Chickens are wonderful stewards of the earth; and kept in proper conditions, chickens are valuable assets to the garden, lawn, and compost pile. They also provide backyard joy. They are easy to take care of, are not noisy or smelly, and are an important part of the Organic garden. This is the optimal time of year to bring chicks home. And we may also have chicks and/or young birds available for sale at the end of the workshop. (Please be sure to check with your town to make sure that chickens are allowed where you live.) Workshop takes place mostly outside (dress appropriately - wear boots) and is weather permitting. Cost is $36 | registration closes 6/9/11

Legumes! Cooking with Beans Workshop

Friday, June 17th 2011, 11 am - 1pm

Crafting Herbal-Infused Salves, Ointments, and Lip Balms

Friday, June 24th 2011, 10 am - 12 noon

With a focus on organic, fair-trade, medicinal herbs and spices, we'll construct a variety of healing and soothing salves and lip balms. We'll also discuss different types of healing herbs, what they can do for us, and where to get them. You'll never want to be without a jar of Anti-itch salve made with white willow bark and plantain or Dry-skin healing Calendula salve made with self heal and chickweed once you see how fun they are to make and how effectively they work. Workshop takes place in the farm kitchen | Cost is $36 | registration closes 6/22/11

Pestos and Salsas Workshop

Friday, July 8th 2011, 11 am - 1 pm

Creating Pesto and Salsa Verde is truly an art in the artisanal kitchen. And although we'll do a great traditional Basil pesto, we also have a whole range of absolutely wonderful and creative mixtures using arugula, parsley, cilantro, lovage, chervil, dandelion, unusual heirloom Italian chicories, and more. All the Pestos and Salsa Verdes we will be making will also be fully balanced using nuts and seeds and can be thought of as the main course as well as the appetizers. Workshop is hands on and tasting is encouraged | Cost is $36 | registration closes 7/5/11

Too Many Zucchini! Workshop

Saturday, July 9th 2011, 11 am - 1 pm

By popular request - I'm doing a workshop on what to do with all your summer squash. I also used to feel overwhelmed and even bored by summer squash, but now I can't wait to get my hands on as many as possible! I have a wide range of truly delicious recipes that I am thrilled to share with you so you too can fully enjoy all those zucchini you're pulling out of your garden this time of year! As with my other cooking workshops, you'll take home a variety of recipes and building outlines for creatively designing your own meals. Workshop is hands on and tasting is encouraged | $36.00 | registration closes 7/6/11

Processing Meat from Your Own Poultry

July 16th 2011, 9:30 am to 12 noon

Workshop takes place at Two Pond Farm in West Milford, NJ and is taught by Allison and Randy Hosford.

This workshop focuses on how to humanely and properly process your own poultry for meat. There are two ways to participate: Hands-On: limited number of spaces available. You will slaughter and butcher 2 humanely and pasture-raised birds from Two Pond Farm with the option to take home your freshly dressed birds at $2.80 per pound! Or you can take it as an Observer-Only. (You can still purchase humanely and pasture-raised meat from Two Pond Farm.) Two Pond Farm is located at 176 Weaver Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. There is a 'Fresh Eggs' sign at the end of the driveway. Please dress appropriately, this is a messy process. Wear something over your hair as the feathers will be flying. Cost is $36 | Registration closes July 12th 2011.

Disclaimer

© Copyright 2011 Barbara Taylor-Laino, HHC / Barbara Taylor Health. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Barbara Taylor Laino is required.

This information newsletter is designed as an educational tool for better health. Recipes and information are included as examples for you learn from; they are not diagnostic or prescriptive. Everyone's health needs are different. This newsletter is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider. The entire contents of this newsletter and the websites of Barbara Taylor Laino and Midsummer Farm are based upon the opinions of Barbara Taylor Laino, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author(s), who retains copyright as marked. The information on the www.midsummerfarm.com website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Barbara Taylor Laino. You are encouraged to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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