Seed are Becoming Big Business

Have you ever thought about the source of seeds?  Though this article chiefly involves seeds sold to farmers, companies that produce home garden seeds are being bought out, too.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/04/06/472960018/big-seed-consolidation-is-shrinking-the-industry-even-further?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=thesalt

It is difficult to find a recently updated list of small, independent seed houses, here is one to try (with some VA sources):

http://www.off-grid.info/food-independence/heirloom-seed-suppliers.html

Some Interesting Reads

On the very cool Southern Exposure Seed Exchange:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/southern-exposure-seed-exchange-nurtures-old-varieties-new-gardeners/2015/02/24/c860af86-b88e-11e4-9423-f3d0a1ec335c_story.html

Why do some people bury fig tees in winter?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/12/25/371184053/why-bury-fig-trees-a-curious-tradition-preserves-a-taste-of-italy?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2051

On rain gardens:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/09/garden/a-rain-garden-that-even-the-neighbors-seem-to-like.html?emc=edit_tnt_20141008&nlid=68474937&tntemail0=y&_r=3

New York bans invasive species!

http://earthwiseradio.org/2015/03/new-yorks-ban-on-invasive-species-goes-into-effect/#more-5923

Truth in Labelling

Lovely hot peppers, no?  Only one problem: they are grown from seed from a packet labelled

"Jalapeño!"  I have had minimal problems with mixed up seed packs before...I expect

this pepper is way more hotter that a Jalapeño!  Guess I need to send the seed company a note!

Happy gardening!

List of Heirloom Seeds!

For a comprehensive list of heirloom seeds, go to: http://www.offgridquest.com/read-more/15-giant-list-of-heirloom-seed-companies

Thanks to Madeline for sharing this with me!

(I had some difficulty remotely posting, so "A Tale of Three Gardens" parts 2 and 3 will be coming soon!)

Happy Gardening!