ujamaaseeds - a new seed co-op

Hey all, I have become a volunteer/member for a brand new seed company/co-op. I wanted to share their info (https://ujamaaseeds.com/) and start a thread for reviews - Probably not fair for me to vote, but I hope others will share feedback if they order. Some cool stuff is posted on the site already, and some of the more interesting seeds are still coming as they get germination tested and packed.  
Happy growing!

Lina, thanks for sharing.

Could you share where this seed company is located and a little about what kind of seeds they offer?

Absolutely!
Ujamaa is based primarily in Maryland, but is cultivating a network of growers throughout the US.
They are committed to providing culturally meaningful seeds, and in finding people’s seed stories and reconnecting them with the crops of their culture and families. They have a selection of vegetables, herbs, flowers and grains to support this, including collections of seeds for Caribbean, Asian, Southern Soul, African, Latin American, and First Nations focused gardens. So, they have a range of things like rainbow chard and Bloomsdale spinach alongside things like green amaranth callaloo, rice peas, and teosinte.

I recently bought a few things from thing.  The seeds arrived very quickly, germinated quickly and they are already growing (purple hulless barley which should produce here even with the late planting) and (perennial rocket).  I got a few things for next year like luffa and bottle squash.  I didn't know squash had such a range.  A friend had a kid's book with many of their uses so I want to make instruments out of them and have them take over for many of my bowls and glasses just cause it seems cool and unique to me.

I looked around on their site a bit.

Black MACA (Peruvian Ginseng)

COLLARDS, Ultracross

KALE, Bear Necessities

CORN, Astronomy Domine

CORN, Teosinte

CRESS, Dutch Broadleaf

EGGPLANT, Kitley

GREENS, Gbognome NIGHTSHADE

GREENS, NIGHTSHADE Njama Njama Landrace

ETHIOPIAN KALE, Texsel Greens

TOMATILLO, Everona Large Green

GREENS, LAGOS SPINACH, Sokoyokoto (Edible Celosia)

SPINACH, New Zealand

FLOWER / GRASS, Northern Sea Oats

FLOWER, Mauritiania Mallow

GINSENG, Chinese

GRAIN, MILLET, Dragon's Claw

GRAIN, MILLET, Lime Lights (Foxtail)

GRAIN, BARLEY, Purple Valley (Hulless)

HERB Dream Calea zacatechichi (Believe this is a banned / controlled substance in Alabama or somewhere, be careful and check local laws too)

HERB, Epazote

HERB, Milk Thistle

HERB, STEVIA Candyleaf

INDIGO, JAPANESE, Round Leaf

INDIGO, OSSABAW Botanical Dye

OKRA, Ultracross

SHRUB Goji Berry (Tibetan)

SHRUB, ARONIA, Black Chokeberry

TREE, CHERRY Wild Black

TREE, CHERRY, Eastern Sand

TREE, CHERRY, Evans (Sour)

TREE, PLUM , Wild Plum (Hog Plum)

SHRUB, CRANBERRY, American

SHRUB, GRAPE Purple Muscadine

SHRUB, Sweet Bay (Bay Laurel)

TREE, BAOBAB

TREE, Chinese Toon (North Red)

TREE, Cornelian Cherry

TREE, ELDERBERRY, American

TREE, PASSIONFRUIT, Northern Maypop

TREE, YAUPON HOLLY


They also sell a tepary.

Firstly, Gbognome is Solanum macrocarpon. Kitley is Solanum anguivi. These are uncommon / hard to find in the States.

Many of these species are hard to find in the United States. And look at all of those native Prunus species. Some of which can cross pollinate / hybridize.

Evans Sour cherry is probably the only non native prunus they have.

Toona has edible leaves. (Be sure to keep it short)


Some of these are listed on the Experimental Farm Network. I believe the American Breeders Mix is the same as the Elderberry that these guys sell.

I also see Ultracross and other familiar names listed here.


The two types / species of "Indigo" are pretty cool to see.

There's a lot of diversity here.


I don't believe a lot of people can grow Baobab here.

The millets listed - Foxtail and the Claw one.
Eleusine coracana is the Dragon's Claw. Setaria italica is Foxtail millet. I didn't see Echinochloa esculenta, Japanese millet.

Still. It's rare to see Dragon's Claw even sold, by a seller of Foxtail millet nonetheless.

Texsel Greens are a different species of Brassica than normal kale and collards - whatever people call them.

New Zealand spinach isn't true spinach. Lagos spinach is a Celosia.

Dutch Broadleaf is a large cress.

Sea Oats are rare in cultivation or even for sale.



I just figured that I'd mention some notable stuff and mention why they're notable.

Personally, different species being used or sold - ones that I hardly ever see sold here in the states.

This is all pretty cool. Haven't bought anything from them, but I would probably recommend them just for the diversity.

Livingseeds has a child company named The Seed Stead.

Makataan watermelon and Teff - other African crops are sold there.

I've also seen varieties of crops from Australia, Austria and elsewhere.


I've noticed that there are people who haven't eaten crops from their places of origin. Or even know of them.

That site would work well for those who want seed stock for things. A small look would tell me, that someone on ujamaaseeds specializes in African crops or multiple people do.


Figured I'd just post this site, just so that if anyone working with the co-op can tell others about that site and try growing out more crops they have - then doing whatever with them.


Always nice to see this sorta stuff.


I'm looking at a lot of stuff as "Oh haven't grown that before" or as breeding material.