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Seeds 2003

© Erica Myers-Russo

Pinetree Seeds Also based in Maine (along with Fedco and Johnny's), Pinetree offers great prices on slightly smaller packs of seeds, which are frequently perfect for the home gardener. Check out their special sections on Continental, Italian, Latin American, and Oriental vegetables. They also carry a line of herbs used for making dyes, fall bulbs, soap making supplies, a huge selection of books (including many great discounts), and the usual gardening paraphernalia. My Picks: Masai green bean, Egyptian Walking onion (a hard-to-find top-setting onion that is a great addition to the perennial vegetable garden), Trionfo violetto pole bean, For Heaven's Sake sweet corn (which magically matures over the course of a month, allowing extended picking from a single planting), and Rucola Salvatica arugula.

Seeds of Change My second-favorite, after Fedco. A beautiful glossy catalog full of gorgeous pictures of rare, heirloom, and unique varieties. Most importantly, everything they offer is certified organic, and always has been. They are a tad pricier but I enjoy supporting their mission, dedication, and talent. My picks: First and foremost, Lady Godiva winter squash - I've been looking everywhere for this fabled naked-seeded green pumpkin which I suspect may be one parent of Johnny's Kakai pumpkin. Also, Tarahumara sunflower. I used to work in Ciudad Juarez and was always captivated by the Tarahumara women who were forced by circumstance to beg in the streets. I'll grow this striking green-centered helianthus in their honor. Additionally, Hungarian Blue bread seed poppy, Chires baby corn, Supai Red parch corn, Winter Giant leek, and Red Weathersfield red storage onion. Note: 5% discount for ordering online.

Seed Savers Exchange Selling seeds is only a small part of what they do, since Seed Savers Exchange is the largest non-profit organization working towards the preservation of biodiversity in the world. In addition to maintaining extensive trial gardens in Decorah, Iowa, the Exchange maintains a global network of amateur and professional seed savers. Their seeds catalog is free, but their yearbook is included in a $30 membership (for $10, you can join The Flower and Herb Exchange). To give you a sense of the worth, they sell one variety of soybean, but the yearbook lists 84 varieties for trade among individual savers. The SSE collection comprises over 20,000 varieties, including over 4,000 different tomatoes. Now that's biodiversity.

Territorial Seeds Territorial is the source for gardeners in the Pacific NW. Excellent selection of garlic, tomatoes, potatoes. They carry two open-pollinated naked seeded pumpkins, Snackjack and Streakerjack. If you've tasted pumpkin seeds, you know why I'm so intent on the naked seed varieties.