Can you believe its almost planting time? I'm feeling behind already-wishing I had started my seedlings earlier in the year. But I'm trying to catch up-and I have some exciting news to share with you on the gardening front.
Sow True Seed has signed on to sponsor the Blind Pig garden this year-as well as our 4th Annual Planting By The Signs Test. I first heard about the seed company last summer by way of Miss Cindy.
Sow True Seed is located in Asheville NC (they also have a website). I was intrigued by their selection of heirloom seeds from the start-and once I realized they strive to find varieties-both traditional and adapted-that do well in the Southern Appalachian Mountains I was sold.
With an eye on the future, Sow True Seed has taken a stand to help insure the purity of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds-so future generations can continue to grow their favorite veggies-save their seed from year to year and continue the circle of growing that our ancestors have handed down to us. You can read more about their endeavor by going here.
Sow True Seed has an impressive selection of vegetable, flower, herb, and cover crop seeds.
- They offer open-pollinated, non hybrid, and untreated seed-meaning you can save your seed from year to year with each new plant's yield staying true to the original yield.
- Much of their seed production is USDA Certified Organic-and they're striving to increase their organic varieties each year.
- Heirloom seeds-which are always open pollinated-make up most of Sow True Seed's inventory.
Sow True Seed also offers programs such as:
- A Wholesale Rack Program for retail stores
- A Fund Raising Program for schools and other organizations
- The Community Seed Exchange offers a great opportunity for gardeners local to the Asheville area.
In addition you can get seed collections, seed garlic, sweet potato slips, seed potatoes, and a variety of how to/gardening books from Sow True Seed.
Even though I'm slightly behind in my gardening preparations-I'm really excited about the coming growing season.
I'm tickled pink Sow True Seed has signed on as a sponsor; I can't wait to see how several new varieties I'm trying turn out this summer; The Deer Hunter has added to my raised beds; We're enjoying having our very own greenhouse for the seedlings; and lastly over the weekend I got some exciting news that would really help my garden-and my neighbors too-so keep your fingers crossed for me on that one.
Drop back by in the next day or so to find out the details about the 4th Annual Blind Pig & the Acorn Planting By The Signs Test.
Tipper
Got my finger crossed!
Congratulations!
I've got them bookmarked. I'll be ordering seed from them.
Posted by: Becky | March 02, 2012 at 09:06 AM
Eva Nell-Ive tried and tried strawberries and never had no luck-maybe someone else will chime in with some tips!
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
Posted by: Tipper | February 29, 2012 at 01:08 PM
Tipper: Speaking of EARLY our STAR MAGNOLIA is ALMOST in full bloom! I know it will bite the dust one of these COLD EAST TENNESSE nights!
What is your BEST advice for growing strawberries? I don't know why I have 'taken a notion' to grow them. Maybe the attractive packages I saw in Wal-Mart made me do it!!!
Eva Nell
Posted by: Eva Nell Mull Wike, Ph.D. | February 29, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Hurray, it's almost Spring! And hurray to seed companies preserving our heirloom veggies!
It's a bit early to start seeds up here, but not too early to spend entirely too much time staring at seed displays in every store I enter!
I'm looking forward to this year's planting by the signs test and curious about the exciting news you mentioned, keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Posted by: Ethel | February 29, 2012 at 07:33 AM
This is very, very cool!
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | February 28, 2012 at 09:38 PM
Thanks for sharing the info on the seed company, will be checking them out, I don't have alot of room in our yard, but I want to plant some tomatoes and squash.
Posted by: Darlene LaRoche | February 28, 2012 at 07:42 PM
You and the Deer Hunter have had such fine tomatoes the past two summers. I'm really looking forward to more.
It's really nice that you are able to work with a seed company right here is WNC. A company that has the same values that you do in preserving our heritage in the form of reproducible seeds.
Posted by: Miss Cindy | February 28, 2012 at 06:45 PM
I can't wait to eat some fried squash! I have been thinking of how early I could start planting. Now sounds good, lol!
Posted by: Nancy M. | February 28, 2012 at 05:14 PM
there's nothing more satisfying than sitting with the family around the table and eating a meal that came entirely from your own garden. Mmmmm good food for thought...along with some spiritual food. Can't beat it.
Angie
Posted by: Angie | February 28, 2012 at 04:39 PM
Good for you, Tipper. I'm looking forward to another garden, too.
Posted by: David Templeton | February 28, 2012 at 03:47 PM
Tipper,
It'll be so nice to get my hands
back into that black dirt again.
I'm really looking forward to my
garden again. And congradulations
on finding Sow True Seeds as a
Sponsor, right here in our beloved
mountains...Ken
Posted by: Ken | February 28, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Thanks for the good information. I usually buy plants already started, but I might consider starting from seed. I have only played with seeds for sunflowers, and a couple of other types of flower type. Of course, as soon as the sunflowers started to arrive, the delicious baby plants were found and became a delicious meal for a deer or two.
Posted by: dolores barton | February 28, 2012 at 09:33 AM
I always look forward to my garden, being raised in the country but now in the city i took half my backyard up for a garden, being 53 and disabled its something i truely look forward to. i cant get to far from home fearing i cant get back, so me and my little weiney dog pipijune plants the garden.my parents grew up in the hills of Tennessee.
Posted by: danny | February 28, 2012 at 09:32 AM
Congratulations on being chosen as a sponsor! I'll be watching for more.
Posted by: Charlotte | February 28, 2012 at 09:28 AM
The seed catalogs that arrive in January help me keep my sanity until spring. Can't wait to look at their website and maybe request a catalog. I've never planted or harvested by the signs as my parents did. Mom always checked the signs and refused to plant if the time wasn't right, even if she knew a rainy spell was coming in. I remember that planting in the twins allowed the crops to yield twice as much. She referred to the signs when she was killing weeds, too.
Posted by: Shirla | February 28, 2012 at 09:17 AM
I will check this site out. Casper built be 2 more raised beds. Last year the only great crop I got was gourds. And they were volunteers. LOL
Posted by: Just Jackie | February 28, 2012 at 08:50 AM
Can't wait for the fresh vegetables. I think we may try some new things this year also. I canned enough half runner beans last year to get me through one more winter so may try a new variety of beans. We haven't grown broccoli, peas and cauliflower in a long time but plan on it this year.
Posted by: Cee | February 28, 2012 at 08:42 AM
I am itching to get in the dirt, too, Tipper! I have never grows heirloom varieties before and this is intriguing!
Posted by: Jen | February 28, 2012 at 08:37 AM
Sigh, it makes me wish I could have a garden this year, guess I will have to stick with the Farmer's Market.
Posted by: Sheryl Paul | February 28, 2012 at 08:29 AM
congratulations on getting a sponsor like this company, whoo hoo on planting season and have fun planting.
Posted by: sandra | February 28, 2012 at 08:15 AM
thanks for the information. It's getting hard to find 'true' seed.
I will be looking into their products for use here in Missouri.
I saved some seed from some really good producers last year. Looking forward to 'garden time', and hopefully the preservation of the harvest as well.
Good luck with your garden this year.
Posted by: Mary Shipman | February 28, 2012 at 08:07 AM
I too and anxious to get my hands in the dirt(without gloves) and get busy a planting and I think it is great you have someone to sponsor your gardening adventure---keep us posted-
Posted by: LINDA L. KERLIN | February 28, 2012 at 07:53 AM
Tipper,
It seems like we are about two weeks ahead here...Although our forsythias are still not blooming and they are always early...The apples are showing their leaves...and the japonica is budding with some bloooms...So I am still thinking that the forsythia still knows something ain't right for blooming...
My turnip greens are still purty with big old turnips...and leaves..Usually by Spring the leaves start turning a dark purplish green..The parsley is so pretty and green. It must've just slept right thru the cold day or two we had, protected by a big ole rose bush that needed cuttin' back...
Had four big deer walk right thru the back yard (as Don said in a post a while back) about three good spits from the window...LOL
Husband saw 6 on the driveway...
So guess we are in for the deermunchers again this year...
Hope we can get some kinda garden in...The warm dirt sure makes you feel good in the Spring...Time to take a good tonic....
I'm a'thinkin' I'll send off for me a Sow True Seed catalog...
Thanks Tipper,
Posted by: B. Ruth | February 28, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Speaking of planting by the signs, you ain't planning on having any of them POSTED signs up are you? The only thing sweeter than a fresh pulled ear of corn picked from my own garden is one "picked" from the neighbors'. Know of any weekends you ain't going to be home this spring?
Posted by: Ed Ammons | February 28, 2012 at 05:49 AM