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In Need of Seeds to get started....

 
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Hello, I am hoping to have a substantial grade this year inspired by the WWII Victory Gardens of the 1940s. If anyone has any heirloom seeds they could donate I would appreafe if, eveif there not on my list. I basically want envy thing but peppers and tomatoes as I found a free source of those seeds. I appreciate any help I can get and would rather heirloom varieties so that next year I can pass it forward and seed save for others.
I would like:
Arugula
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli
Beets
Berry bush grafts, root stalks etc...
Cauliflower
Celiac
Celery
Cardoon
Cabbage purple or green
Calendula
Companion plants for pest management
Leeks
Endives
Racchidio
Kale
Rainbow chard
Turnips
Radish
Rutabaga
Salsify
Garlic
Shallots
Elephant garlic
Onions
Parsnips
Carrots
Ground cherry
Peas climbing
Runner beans

Herbs for medicinals and teas
Ecchanacia
Lemon balm
Feverfew
Mint
Lavender
Cammomile
Anything else you recommend?

Flowers for companion planting
I would like to get ones for integrated pest management but I'm not sure what to ask for?
 
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Location: Ozarks zone 7 alluvial, clay/loam with few rocks 50" yearly rain
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Hi, Victoria...welcome to permies!
I think Baker Creek seed co. sometimes helps with seeds for school programs. I bet other seed companies do also if you don't find everything here.
I haven't got in to my seed stash yet this winter, I might have a bit of what you are looking for.

Do you have a large area to plant in? Can you tell us more about your project?


EDIT because you said 'substantial grade' in your post I thought you meant this was a school project...now I wonder if you meant 'substantial garden' and I misunderstood?
 
Victoria Gardner
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Hi Judith,
It is a school projectbut I havea small group of homeschooled children so we don't always qualify for donation programs since a lot of them require proof of being a non profit or public institution. I will ask at Baker Creek, thanks for the information! I did mean substantial garden not substantial grade:) my kids don't even get graded as I take a more holistic Waldorf based approach to learning than written grades.
Blessings,
Victoria
 
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Location: Left Coast Canada
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I don't know what town you are in, but a lot of places in the world right now have seed libraries, usually run out of actual book libraries. You 'borrow' seeds from the library in spring, and 'return' them in the fall (or next year fall for biannual).

Basically you grow the veg, then save the seeds. Save enough seeds for you to plant next year's crop and give the rest back to the library...

... however, I usually go by the third rule. 1/3 for seeds for my garden. 1/3 for my kitchen. 1/3 to return to the library.

The best thing about seed libraries is that they are free and/or included in your book library membership. If you don't have one yet, it might be a fun project to start with the kids.


Another source would be Seed Savers Exchange (in the US) or Seeds of Diversity (in Canada). You usually need to pay shipping on the seeds sent from individuals, and are encouraged to save and share your seeds in future years.


If you were in town, I could donate some seeds. But right now, seeds traveling away from Canada seem to get destroyed in the mail.


One last source of free seeds - your grocery store!

I say free. Basically you are paying for the food, and just save the seeds before you eating the rest of the veg/fruit. Depending on how much work you wish to do, you can get a huge variety of seed.

Simple seed saving is like scooping the seeds out of squash (BEFORE cooking), drying them, planting them.

More complex include fermenting your own tomato or cucumber seeds.

Even more complex include growing out carrots or potato for seed.

If you like, I can give you long instructions on fun ways to transform groceries into garden. Just let me know.

I don't have kids of my own, but the ones I borrow for labour on the farm, really enjoy transforming groceries into plants.

 
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