This is the time of year that gardeners get the itch to dig in the dirt. This mild winter is really fooling us into thinking Spring is just around the corner. Today is overcast and blustery like March normally is in Arkansas. Even though I'd love to plant something, I'll just be satisfied with thumbing through my seed catalogs. One of the most unique catalogs I receive is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Located in South Central Missouri near Mansfield, Baker Creek is not your ordinary type of farming business. The Gettle family started the company in 1997 and devoted themselves to preservation of old-time heirloom varieties that have practically disappeared. The unusual seeds are gathered from around the world. The Baker Seed Store is part of a dream that the Gettle's have brought to fruition.
The Gettle's own and operate "Bakersville" at Mansfield, Missouri. An Old Time Mercantile Store, Herbal Apothecary, Bakery, Garden Museum, Blacksmith Shop, Music Halls and Western Jail are there for customers to enjoy while they shop for plants and seeds. They supply free seeds to many of the world's poorest countries, as well as locally in school gardens and other educational projects. An American company with a conscience, I like that!
This video shows some great pictures of the fruits and vegetables in the catalog... if you are a gardener, it will make your heart beat a little faster when you watch it!
This video shows some great pictures of the fruits and vegetables in the catalog... if you are a gardener, it will make your heart beat a little faster when you watch it!
*Visit Baker Creek Seeds at their website HERE
That is good of you to recommend them. As silly as this sounds, in the event of a crisis, i.e., national disasters, wars, government financial collapse, etc. heirloom seeds are the only seeds that will keep performing year after year. The genetically modified seeds will die out in a year or two. The Huffington Post headline today reads that half of all Americans are one crisis away from poverty. It is scary that so many depend on the government and powers that be to take care of them.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about that Donna, heirloom seeds aren't just about pretty veges. My Dad was an avid gardener and saved seed so that the plant would stay "true." He would be knee deep in seed catalogs this time of year, planning his garden. How he loved it!
DeleteI am planning on making another trip there this year to get most of my seeds. It is not that far from where I live and makes for a fun family day! :)
ReplyDeleteKim
I've ordered from them but haven't been up to Mansfield... that's on the to-do list this summer!
DeleteI haven't had a desire to dig in the dirt, since I was a young kid. I learned, early on, that I have black thumbs and hate to get my hands dirty. However, I've always wished I could acquire an enthusiasm for it!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't do me much good to try and plant a garden since we live on the side of a mountain and the deer eat it up, but I just have it in me to plant. Inherited from my Dad I know! I have a stack of seeds waiting for warmer weather to arrive...
DeleteOoooo! Do I see a potential blogger get together at Bakersfield??? I haven't been there in several years and I hear it keeps getting bigger.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family, to share their heirloom seeds with the less fortunate of our planet. And giving seeds to schools. Children love to see the fruits of their labor.
ReplyDeleteTheir catalog is a work of art. Did you know his mother D.L. Gettle does the art found on the cover of the catalog. I have ordered from them several times but have never visited the store.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish that I could plant a garden... I have too many deer here in CT (and other critters) who'd eat everything. And I really don't have the funds to do a whole thing with a fence and all (nor the energy!) - I can't even plant a lot of flowers that I'd like due to the deer eating everything!!! Oh, well, I will have to just be content with looking at pretty flowers photos and trying to find nice tomatoes from the farm stands! Good luck and have fun with your planting though!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Gloria