Anyone know a good place to get perennial vegetable seeds from? I am actually looking for some specialty greens like Good King Henry. Bountiful Gardens has some, but they're out. Of course they told me after my order was placed, shipped and received!
Thanks for the lead on another seed company. I don't know if you've tried Territorial Seed Company out of Oregon or not. I didn't see the seed you were looking for but they might have something you'd like. I've been using them for years for some local hertiage seeds and European imports http://www.territorialseed.com
Thanks, Jewell. I think I need a really specialized place, or perhaps a bit of patience until Bountiful Gardens replentishes their inventory of Good King Henry. I'm like a kid who couldn't get the toy he wanted right away. Waaaah! Yes, I have used Territorial Seeds and will continue to LOVE their stuff!
I found a great source for several hard-to-find perennial veggies.... Sylvetta Perennial Arugula, Good King Henry (like a spinach), and Nine Star Perennial Broccoli. The place is called the Garden Path and is in Victoria, BC, Canada. I'm still trying to get my hands on Perennial Kale, but have realized that Siberian Kale (and probably several other kales) is the next best thing. It handles heat and cold well and would make it through most of the year and would probably reseed some.
lulu ~ my kale winters over just fine. I let some go to seed this summer instead of pulling it in late spring. The plants gave me so many seeds that I will be using them for sprouts also.
Thanks Jewell. I will try over-wintering my kale and I'll also save some seed. Just curious, what is your zone? (I'm zone 7).
I live in zone 7b. We get snow, but temps seldom go to the zero mark. Very unpredictable, but generally temperate. Here is one site that tells about our growing conditions. http://www.humeseeds.com/falwint.htm I can winter garden most years with cole crops like kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower. (I grew up in Idaho zone 1 and most years we could keep kale and brussel sprouts to January and sometimes spring, so I grow a couple of different varieties every year.)
I also like the all season cauliflower. I can't seem to grow the other kind of cauliflower, but can get nice big heads in the spring from a June planting. Seeds of Change are also a source for some regional heirlooms that do OK in our usually cool damp summers with dry fall. Hooker's corn is one that will produce even in a rainy summer. Here we have the "Ides of July", where our winter crops need to be started by July 15th to be successful overwintering (time to harden off some so the slugs are less likely to decimate ). Of course with the change in weather who knows. Have had no rain here in forever, with long heat wave, 100+ till the end of the week . Good luck!
Thanks, Jewell, for all of the useful info, especially about kale. My bunny, Elmo, my son and I thank you...we love it!!!! We will never be a one-season (or even a 2 season) gardening family again! By the way, the perennial seeds from Canada arrived yesterday. They specify summer or fall planting. There's still time for anyone who's interested in starting some Good King Henry, Sylvetta Arugula, or Nine Star Sprouting Broccoli. Here's the source: www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath May your gardening knowledge grow and your carbon footprint shrink.
You might have a look here, Lulu: http://www.mammothonion.co.uk/ I buy my Heritage and Heirloom seeds here.
Thanks, Sjoerd! Great link. They even have red Welsh Onions! If these places only knew how much free advertising they get through referrals!!!!!
I hope that it is helpful to you. Word-of-mouth is always a good form of advertisement. More trustworthy, generally speaking, than advertising campaigns by the businesses themselves.
