More about seeds

Continuing the saga of seed ordering, I now have my list just about completed. One of the advantages of ordering your own seeds is that you can get the varieties you want, and are not left at the mercy of store racks and the varieties they stock. For example, I have found over the years that “Cal Wonder” peppers are a usual store favorite, I suspect because the seeds are plentiful and cheap. I have not had good luck with those peppers, and I order, start and plant a variety named “New Ace” which seem to do better in our climate. You are also unlikely to find “Big Beef” tomatoes in either seed or plant form at a store. This is my favorite main season tomato so I have to order seeds. I usually start a few cherry tomatoes and set out a couple of plants in my raised beds. These are for snacking during the summer. Most of my seeds will come from FEDCO, but they have discontinued stocking Big Beef, so I have had to order them from another catalog. I used “R. H. Shumway’s” catalog both because they are cheaper, but also charge less for shipping and handling. I also got my cucumbers (Marketmore 76) from Shumway. They do not have an on-line ordering service, although you can order by fax. Since I don’t have a fax, I will have to do it the old fashioned way. Shumway has a web site if you are interested www.rhshumway.com. In a later posting, I will get into seed starting, although it seems a little premature while there is still snow on the ground.