Gardening - Heirloom Seed Sources

Print Page | Close Window

Heirloom Seed Sources

Printed From: Foods of the World Forum
Category: The Best Foods You Can Get - Your Own
Forum Name: Gardening
Forum Discription: A place to discuss the best ways to grow your own ingredients.
URL: http://foodsoftheworld.ActiveBoards.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=3286
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 20:34

Topic: Heirloom Seed Sources

Posted By: HistoricFoodie
Subject: Heirloom Seed Sources
Date Posted: 04 March 2013 at 08:18

More and more gardeners are making the switch to heirlooms. So it’s understandable that the number one question I get is: Where do you find the seed.

There are, literally, dozens of seed suppliers specializing in heirlooms; a far cry from when I first got involved more than two decades ago. The following is list of those I’ve dealt with, and have found to be reliable.

Historic Foodways: This is my own company, which handles several lines of 18^th and early 19^th century products. Seeds purchased through Historic Foodways helps support our historic plant preservation efforts at Fort Boonesborough and other venues. You can get a full catalog or just a seed list (please specify from mailto:HistoricFoodways@hotmail.com" rel="nofollow - Non-profit companies:

Seed SaversExchange: http://www.seedsavers.org/" rel="nofollow - Heritage Grain Conservancy: http://www.growseed.com/" rel="nofollow - Native Seeds/SEARCH: http://www.nativeseeds.org/" rel="nofollow - Southern Seed Legacy: http://www.uga.edu/~ebl/sm/" rel="nofollow - Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center: http://www.heirloomseeds.com/" rel="nofollow -

Commercial seed houses:

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: http://www.rareseeds.com/" rel="nofollow - Heirloom Acres Seeds: http://www.heirloomacresseeds.com/" rel="nofollow - Marianna’s Heirloom Seeds: http://www.mariannsheirloomseeds.com/" rel="nofollow - Rodger’s Heirlooms: http://www.rodgersheirlooms.com/" rel="nofollow - Southern Exposure Seed Exchange: http://www.southernexposure.com/" rel="nofollow - Tomato Growers Supply: http://www.tomatogrowers.com/" rel="nofollow - Victory Seed Co.: http://www.victoryseeds.com/" rel="nofollow -

Replies:

Posted By: Karl
Date Posted: 07 March 2013 at 12:34

Thank you for bringing this topic up. Most folks do not seem to understand that most commonly found seeds are "mules."

When I lived in E. TN there was also a local club that traded and sold heirloom seeds for plants that specifically thrived in that area. It might be worth looking for other such heirloom seed clubs.

Unfortunately I have had limited success gardening here due to the short season, RAIN, and surrounding 100'+ trees shading every place. There does not appear to be much heirloom seed support for our climate.

Rhubarb is the one things that absolutely grows like mad here no matter what you do. You can only eat so much rhubarb though so I might have to try one of the rhubarb wine recipes. I would be thrilled to grow a crop of common yellow squash but so far no luck.

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 07 March 2013 at 12:47

Karl - my cousin and I were recently talking about the rhubarb wine that our grandfather used to make. I'm going to see if my dad knows how to make it, and if so, I'll post about it. As I recall,it wasn't a specialised or scientific process - pretty basic.

-------------
If you are a visitor and like what you see, please http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/registration_rules.asp?FID=0" rel="nofollow - click here and join the discussions in our community!

Posted By: Karl
Date Posted: 07 March 2013 at 15:41

TasunkaWitko wrote:

Karl - my cousin and I were recently talking about the rhubarb wine that our grandfather used to make. I'm going to see if my dad knows how to make it, and if so, I'll post about it. As I recall,it wasn't a specialized or scientific process - pretty basic.

I have collected a lot of old wine making books but I would be glad to add more recipes to my collection. This is a fairly fancy recipe: http://www.savor-the-rhubarb.com/rhubarb-wine.html I was pretty much thinking chopped/mashed rhubarb, corn sugar, distilled water, and yeast. Maybe some strawberries?

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 08 March 2013 at 12:25

Karl wrote:

I was pretty much thinking chopped/mashed rhubarb, corn sugar, distilled water, and yeast.

I'm willing to bet this is probably very close to what my grandpa did - the strawberries sound like a great idea!

-------------
If you are a visitor and like what you see, please http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/registration_rules.asp?FID=0" rel="nofollow - click here and join the discussions in our community!

Posted By: MarkR
Date Posted: 22 March 2013 at 16:13

There is a seed exchange in this area, but I usually just harvest seeds from the produce I buy.

-------------
Mark R

Posted By: HistoricFoodie
Date Posted: 22 March 2013 at 20:23

That can work, Mark. Providing you're buying open pollinated produce. If it's hybrid stuff, well, you never know what you're getting.

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 09:34

Brook - If I am looking for an American source for San Marzano tomato seeds, would you recommend any of the above in particular?

-------------
If you are a visitor and like what you see, please http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/registration_rules.asp?FID=0" rel="nofollow - click here and join the discussions in our community!

Posted By: HistoricFoodie
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 10:15

I'd have to check the catalogs to see who offers them, Ron.

Frankly, I wouldn't bother. There are at least six tomatoes bearing the San Marzano label. And the fact is, unless you can replicate the soil and growing conditions of the region, all of them are just run-of-the-mill plum tomatoes.

Marianne Jones, who owns Marinana's, is a plum/paste tomato authority. You might contact her for recommendations.

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 10:17

I actually have access to thousands of square miles of of good, dark, rich, virgin volcanic soil, just a few miles south of us - it's not from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, but close enough for me.

My concern is always separating the "San Marzano" varieties from the "San Marzano-type" offerings. I managed to grow ONE tomato last year, and it tasted incredible.

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 10:48

Brook -

This source might be worth adding to your list:

http://www.growitalian.com" rel="nofollow - www.growitalian.com

I Just placed an order with them for a packet of San Marzanos - 3.15 + 3.95 shipping, which isn't too bad as long as the danged things grow! There were quite a different seeds, tomato and otherwise, that I would LIKE to have ordered - but I need to keep it simple this year, in light of my abyssmal failure last year.

Posted By: Margi Cintrano
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 12:12

www.sustainableseedsco.com

Here is another option to obtain seeds for tomato variety, San Marzano seeds which ships worldwide.

-------------
Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.

Posted By: HistoricFoodie
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 12:14

I dealt with them years ago, Ron, and was very happy with them.

Franchi is the oldest seed house in Italy, and all of their offerings are (or were, at the time) open pollinated. Most of them were Italian heirlooms.

Only reason I stopped dealing with them was because I changed direction in the types of heirlooms I grow; not because of any dissatisfaction with the company.

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 28 March 2013 at 12:20

Thanks for the source, Margi -

Brook - sounds like a good companyy to work with. I've used their seeds before, but have never actually ordered from them until today. They seem to be quite efficient; payment is processed and I am assuming that they are being shipped ASAP.

Print Page | Close Window