suggestions for fruit tree guild seeds, ordered from Richters Herbs?

I'm going to ordering a bunch of seeds from Richters Herbs (we're both located in Ontario).

Last year I planted a bunch of fruit trees, and I'm looking for suggestions for fruit tree guild seeds.

I've generated a list, based on what I've read here on permies and elsewhere.

Some of the postings on this topic don't go into enough detail. For example, several people have mentioned yarrow, plaintain, dill, mint, but don't say what variety they used. (Does the variety matter?)

Here's what I'm thinking of ordering:

S1870 Comfrey, Common Bulk Seeds
S1630 Calendula Bulk Seeds
S1630-001 Calendula SowNatural(tm) Bulk Seeds
S5170 Sage, Garden Bulk Seeds
S5290 Savory, Summer Bulk Seeds
S1570 Burnet, Salad Bulk Seeds
S1793 Chives, Garlic Bulk Seeds
S2420 Fennel, Sweet Bulk Seeds
S2055 Cumin, Black Bulk Seeds
S4494 Plantain, Chinese Bulk Seeds
S4493 Plantain, Greater Bulk Seeds
S1740 Chicory, Wild Bulk Seeds
S8016 Artichoke, Globe Bulk Seeds
S2141 Dill, Bouquet Bulk Seeds
S7000 Yarrow, White Bulk Seeds
S7005 Yarrow, Red Bulk Seeds
S7007 Yarrow, Sneezewort Bulk Seeds
S4902 Rhubarb, Gansu Strain Bulk Seeds
S4060-001 Mint, Korean SowNatural(tm) Seeds
S4064 Mint, Mountain Seeds
S4041 Mint, Menthol Bulk Seeds
S7610 Amaranth, Globe Bulk Seeds
S6140 Sunflower Bulk Seeds

If there is anyone near me that wants to go splitzies on some of these, let me know. I'm sure that I'm going to end up with a lot more seeds than I need, for at least some of what I've listed above.

Thank you for posting your LOCATION; it does make such a difference. If I lived where you do I would put in my rhubarb first thing! Of course I am biased, love rhubarb with a passion, and can't grow it here. But it is a great permanent food. My mom has been growing the same patch for decades and she eats about a cup of it a year. All of her friends and neighbors get the freebie crop.

BTW, except for the rhubarb and mint -- could you P.M. me about sharing your seed order? I just spent a bunch of money I didn't need to spend but your list looks pretty good. I'm interested in some if you have extra.

Oh yeah, don't need any comfrey either - just ordered some yesterday.

I have no experience with common comfrey, but have read that it can really take over an area by self seeding. Richters also offers a couple sterile varieties, only as plants, that you may consider instead. They are "Bocking 4" and "Bocking 14". They are easy to propagate by division, but do not spread by seed. I've had both for several years, and they have not spread.

Alex

Here's a few thoughts from me about your list:
I'd also go for 'Bocking' comfrey hybrid roots, if borage (a comfrey cousin) is any indication, I don't need it spreading by seed!
Another suggestion I have is, if it's possible to source rhubarb crowns, I'd go for that.
Mint is generally started from runners, I've never seen it grown from seed, but I know it can be.
I think my yarrow is Achillea millefolium L, but it just popped up, so I'm not sure.
I think cumin likess a sub-tropical climate, do you think it will go ok in Ontario?

Dill for sure and a mustard also. It is hard to find good dill for pickles when needed. Rhubarb is a great idea. Easy to grow and such. Hops too. Personally I would start small and see how it goes. I am planting blueberries, raspberries and paw paw's this year at my new place. They are no brainers and give amazing nutrition. For thats what I plant for. Food I will enjoy and love to fix.

Alex Brands wrote:Richters also offers a couple sterile varieties, only as plants, that you may consider instead. They are "Bocking 4" and "Bocking 14".

They are out of stock.

A friend grew comfrey from seed and I can confirm that it self-seeds everywhere and quickly becomes a real nuisance. After several years he has almost eliminated it. I promptly removed the comfrey that was growing at the place I bought after seeing what it did at my friend's place. I now have the sterile cultivar Bocking 14 and it hasn't moved. Someone somewhere near you is sure to be able to give you a little piece of Bocking 14 root. It grows easily from root cuttings.

Leila Rich wrote:Here's a few thoughts from me about your list:
...
I think cumin likess a sub-tropical climate, do you think it will go ok in Ontario?

It's black cumin on the list it seems, a different plant altogether, in the genus Nigella rather than Cuminum, even in an entirely different family.

Ray South wrote: It's black cumin on the list it seems, a different plant altogether, in the genus Nigella rather than Cuminum, even in an entirely different family.

That's weird, I thought I searched it, but must have cut out the 'black' bit somehow. Well, I know Nigella grows like crazy round here!

I wanted Symphytum officinalis after watching Michael Pilarsky's video about comfrey so I ordered both seed and plants from horizon herbs.

I have several things on the property that are supposed to be highly invasive and, despite being encouraged to do so, they have yet to take over. So I am hoping that the true comfrey will live up to it's reputation. If not, then it can join ranks with the horseradish, various mints, and blackberries that are just making a token showing but not growing enough to give me a real gangbuster harvest.

There's always Kudzu, Jeanine.

I need tough, prolific stuff here too. We have drought, 100+ degree days, bunnies, jack rabbits, free range cattle, wild pigs, ground squirrels... And recently discovered: leaf cutter ants. Grr. Difficult to get anything established.

your list sounds good ..it will give you a great start on your guilds..