fast grow the weeds

SEEDS: Would that I could find my own Michigan seed source, but alas, it’s why I save my own. Here are some of my seed sources:

• Fedco, Maine. What can I say: I love a co-op, and love their non-Monsanto/Sementis pledge. I have had just fine germination out of everything; the seed is clean, but sometimes the quantities are stingy.
• Johnny’s, Maine. The efficiency of this outfit is staggering. Great seed, wonderful gardening products; it’s my go-to place for row covers to field knives, too.
• Harvest Moon, Indiana. Don’t let the Hoosier in this outfit fool you: most of the seeds are Italian or French! Great source for large, rare (for here) European vegetables. It’ll just take you forever to get them, so be patient.
• Seed Savers, Iowa. I’m not wild about either the prices or the quantities from this outfit, but theirs is the biggest biodiversity preserving joint out there.
• J.L. Hudson, Seedsman, CA. Polemics, baby! And a nice slice of everything.
• Kitazawa, CA. The best Asian veggie source.
• Filaree Farms, WA. Garlic.
• But just because I can’t buy local seeds doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Are you a Southerner? Southern Exposure is your place to go. Northwesterner? Try Nichols. Southwesterner? Go NativeSeeds/Search.

FRUIT and NUT TREES: We all eat them, we would all love to grow them, right? Fortunately, I can buy local here, and I do.

• Grandpa’s Orchard (Coloma MI): Heirloom and not, bareroot fruit trees. Zones 3-8 from what I can tell. Apples, pears, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums.
• Hartmann’s Plant Company (Grand Junction MI): Berries galore, some nuts, small fruits. Hardy stuff, including figs and kiwis, zones 3-7.
• McKenzie Farms Hardy Citrus (Okemo, SC): A girl can dream, can’t she? Hardy citrus to zone 6.
• Freshops (Philomath, OR) Hops! Cover that arbor tout suite and brew your own beer!
• Nolin River Nut Tree Nursery (Upton, KY): Nuts to you!