IT’S AN UNASSUMING little catalog; even in its printed incarnation, five-year-old Peace Seedlings is more a 20-page flyer than flashy or magazine-like. In its third season on the web, the company’s whole description and 2013 seed listing fits on one super-long, scrollable page, and you have to order by mail, with a check. Peace Seedlings makes me think of simpler days when there were more such treasure troves to discover as a gardener. It’s a list of what my retro-home-blogging friend Pam would call “woddities,” or wonderful oddities, and it makes me happy. I spent a delightful tea time yesterday imagining every plant in it in my mind’s eye, savoring each description from edible Andean tubers to a Hutterite bush bean that “makes epic creamy bean soup,” to purple-podded vining snap peas (‘Sugar Magnolia’ photo below) and long-stemmed marigolds and oh, those bodacious tomatoes up top. I’ll buy two lucky winners $20 worth of woddities from Peace Seedlings, in my latest giveaway.
When I began to garden, the really unusual stuff was always in unpretentious lists, un-fancy “catalogs” often organized by botanical Latin names, such as the famous one from the enigmatic J.L. Hudson Seedsman, or John Jeavons’ early offerings at Bountiful Gardens, or Dr. Alan Kapuler’s Peace Seeds. In more than 30 years of breeding plants, Kapuler has done it for the public domain—not to try to own or patent the resulting genetics, but to make available good crops to help feed people and the planet—making a little bit of peace.
No surprise that Corvallis, Oregon-based Peace Seedlings is an offshoot of his work, the undertaking of Alan and Linda Kapuler’s youngest daughter, Dylana, and her partner, Mario DiBenedetto.
I got my new-favorite beet, 3 Root Grex, from Peace last season; you might recall my article about that multi-colored wonder. Now I’m taken in at the possibility of other “grex” listings—grex means “flock” in Latin, and is not a true mix but an interbreeding population. The current catalog includes K-S Grex onions, in beautiful pinks and light yellows, and a turnip called 6 Root Grex—all Kapuler originals.
As are the crazy determinate tomato called ‘Geranium Kiss’ in that top photo of Dylana, described as, “stocky 2-foot determinate plants, w/ hyper-tresses of 20-70, 1-oz. fruits, 3-4 sets, a ‘one-stake wonder.’” Oh, my.
This is the place to explore unusual unusual edible roots and tubers, such as yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius, the “apple of the Andes”); or bright-colored varieties of oca (Oxalis tuberosa); or mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum var. pilifera), a nasturtium relative with an anise flavor, whose flowers attract hummingbirds…and listen to this:
“Traditionally grown in polycultures of potatoes, oca, ulluco in Andean South America because the tubers contain aromatic mustard oils that discourage rodents.” Any gardener who has harvested her potatoes only to find them chewed up by voles and the like should perk up at such a companion-planting possibility.
An excellent article in the “Corvallis Advocate” newspaper thoroughly details these interesting crops, and the Peace team’s work with them. That’s a mandala of them in the photo above, arranged by Mario.
I felt positively summery reading about big, bushy marigold plants covered in orange flowers that Alan Kapuler found in Baja, Tagetes erecta ‘La Ribera,’ or another shrubby-sized marigold with long stems and burgundy flowers edged in gold called Tagetes patula ‘Frances’s Choice.’ The Peace team strings them into leis for sale at the local farmers’ market (those are leis made from the China Cat Mix, above).
As you can see, this little list has me in deep trouble. I think the same will happen to you if you pay a visit, maybe over a cup of tea. Remember to close your eyes after reading each description and just imagine!
more from peace seedlings
- Browse the 2013 online catalog now
- Order a 2013 list by sending a SASE to 2385 SE Thompson St., Corvallis OR 97333
- Orders are placed the old-fashioned way, by mail–again, bringing me back to my happy recollections of my origins as a gardener!
how to win the peace seedlings gift certificates
TO ENTER TO WIN one of two $20 gift certificates I’ll purchase for you from Peace Seedlings, simply comment below by answering this question:
How many seed catalogs–in print, or online–have you found yourself browsing through this winter, and how many total places are you ordering from?
(My answer: More than 20, since I have lost count by now, and probably 5.)
If you’re feeling shy or just prefer not to say, simply comment with “Count me in” or some such answer, and you’ll be in the running. No worry.
I’ll select two winners after entries close at midnight Thursday, February 21. Good luck to all.
(All photos copyright Peace Seedlings.)
I browsed through maybe 5 and bought from 2. I have seeds saved in my seed bank so, I bought pretty conservatively!
I just moved to a new house, with no fencing yet to keep deer from munching everything–so I have restrained myself to browsing only 6 or 8 catalogs/websites. I plan to order from one catalog, ordering some things that require more summer heat than my climate can provide and sending the seeds to my parents, who have hotter summers. That way I get to at least taste new things, and the deer don’t.
At this stage I’m just learning by trial and error – from gifts from more knowledgeable gardening friends and saved seeds I’m discovering left by my mother in her old gardening cupboard…but hungry for more experiments. I’d love to be included in the Peace Seedlings Lucky Dip!
I have really browsed several.. Ummmm… 3 here in print and who knows online. I am trying to do some seed saving of my own to limit how much I order but I would certainly order from here! Hope I win! Have a great day!
I’ve browsed about 5 or 7 and purchased from 3.
I browse 5 or so catalogs and so far this year ordered only from Hudson Valley Seed Library with their beautiful art packs.
Itching to start seeds, but need to wait a little while longer. So now to check out Peace Seedlings! Thanks for the wonderful information!
5-6 catalogs looked at 2 ordered from.
I’ve drooled over about 8 catalogs and have ordered from four – Maine Potato Lady, High Mowing seeds, Fedco, and Johnny’s! Looking forward to adding one more to the list with Peace Seedlings!
I’ve browsed 4 and ordered from 2. Can’t wait to start planting!
Just a couple, but have have an opening coming up time wise where I will be ODing on catalogs!
None, so far, but as tax season ends, I shall have time to peruse my “wish books.” Just looking through them is a feast for the eyes. Can’t wait!
I’ve been through about four, and just got my huge order from Baker Creek for myself and the Garden Club at my high school… garden space and funds are limited, but I doubt that will deter further garden indulgences, like the eucalyptus and fig tree I just rescued from our local nursery, and the pack of lettuce and arugula I couldn’t resist. :)
I have browsed through 15-20, but will probably not order at all. We are selling our house and garden this year and I am trying to be brave…but it hurts.
Well Margaret, I’ve been lurking around on your blog for the past year and just read the first half of your book, and I am now ready to go 100% organic. You’ve convinced me! So, my next lurk was seed catalogues. To date, 4 ordered and three downloaded. There will be more. : )
Perhaps 9 received and 4 perused, plus linking to many online seed sites. I ordered for the first time from Baker Creek in Missouri and got their heirloom gardening book. Now to settle down long enough to finish deciding what to plant in my little urban yard.
I’ve browsed through 3 and so far plan to order from one, but need to dig out my saved seeds first (didn’t garden last year so I forget what I’ve got already.)
We moved recently, so I got only 2 print catalogs this year, which is fine with me. I will probably order from 3 sources.
Thanks!
I love looking through seed catologs and dreaming of the next growing season. Have perused many, many online and in hand, a way of dreaming of possibilities. Have ordered from 3 this year, but it’s only February.
I received 16 catalogs, I browsed probably another 5 or.6 online, and I ordered from 4 companies, both for my business as well as personal use. Is there anything better than the promise seeds hold? I can’t wait to explore Peace Seedlings–how were they not on my radar? Thank you for hosting this great giveaway!
I have received 3 catalogs. I am anxious to browse through the Peace Catalog. Not sure what I will order.
Counting this one, 9 and have thus far ordered from 3, but there is still time to order more.
I too am learning through experiment. I love to look through the seeds and seedlings at my local nursery. I have looked through two catalogs lately, which gave me lots of great ideas for what to plant this spring, and am now looking through the Peace Catalog. I would love to be included in the giveaway! Thank you for hosting this! What a sweet little place.
Ive browsed probably 5 and purchased from 2 so far. Im on the hunt for strictly gmo free seeds and open pollinators. Any suggestions from anyone please let me know
Received 1 printed catalog (that I’ll be unsubscribing from) . . . looked at 2 or 3 online . . . ordered from 1. I’m going to look at the Peace Seeds site right now.
I have not ordered any yet, but ate some orange beets at a restaurant in Montana last week so pretty and delicious, I’m going to find some to grow in my garden.
I have only recived 6 but my neighbor gave me another 10, so 16 total. Only ear marked the pages, haven’t bought…..yet!
I’ve browsed through 7 different websites and have ordered from 3. I have also ordered some plants that will be delivered to me in late April. With the seeds I did not plant from last year I now have 120 different seeds and my garden is located about 500 miles from where I live. Last year I carried my plants on the train and bus. Most of them survived thanks to the rainy weather we had last summer. Do I need more seeds? No. Do I love to grow them? Yes! I have to look at the Peace Seeds site but no more buying this year! :)
I’ve received more than a dozen,browsed through at least 5 and will probably order from 3 or 4.
They are all stacked on my bedside table waiting patiently for me! Please, please, from what catalog, can I order more free time?
So many catalogs, so little time — just kidding. . . i think it has been 3 or 4 — while i do plant the kale, spinach, and other cold weather crops from seeds, i don’t have, at this time, the most idea set up for starting other seeds indoors — so I do rely on our local nursery to get some great starts (starter plants) in late April.
Thanks for introducing us to Peace Seedlings, I look forward to more research. I receive/browse about 9 different catalogs and purchase from 1-2 every year.
Count me in.
Browsed approximately 15, but will probably buy from 2-3. I just seem to have my favorites. :-)
I just received my 22nd seed/plant catalogue in the mail on Friday. I love spending snowy wintery days sketching new garden plot plans and imagining the view when I plant new items in my gardens come the late March days of tilling and planting and readying my little cloche collection of gallon and half gallon jugs with bottoms removed, strung ten on a clothesline ready on hooks for a quick run through the gardens as late hail or snow decides to visit the Rockies. I have orders ready now for six of the seed producers and live plant providers. Imagining is a huge part of my love of growing gardens here in my little city “farm”. Thanks for introducing me to this great seed source…some fabulous items available from them.
II have 3 favorites. Two have arrived & the 3rd usually shows up the end of Feb. we receive a ton of catalogs, but we know which ones are the best now. We’ll probably order from all three.
I have browsed about 12 with the addition of some great ones you suggested Margaret. I have ordered from 3 and will place a 4th order from the site you just gave us. Happy reading everyone.
Please count this vegetable seed fan in! Thanks!
I have glimpsed through 4 or 5 and felt so overwhelmed that I didn’t order a thing yet. :{ – however, I did plant over 200 bulbs of various species in the woods I cleared last Fall…… can’t wait for Mother Earth to start defrosting and notice shoots peeking out.
I leave all those decisions up to my hubby. I just use very pretty post it notes to tell him what I like!
Thank you!
I don’t even know how many seed catalogs I’ve looked at. I definitely lost count between the ones I have in print and the ones I keep finding online. I think I’ve already put in orders from 6 different places and I’ve maxed out my seed budget a few times over, so I’m having to put the brakes on until some magical form of extra income appears.
Definitely count me in! Love those marigolds!
Count me in, im ready for spring!
I have a pile of seed and plant catalogs waiting for me to spend time with. I have only looked through maybe 4-5 so far. I am way too busy trying to save the world, by educating professional landscapers ecological techniques. I am webmaster of EcoLandscape California, http://www.ecolandscape.org and it takes at least 8-16 hours of most days. My garden is planted, but not well kept lately. I am going to order some new seeds, but I too have a huge stash of seeds in my freezer that I like. Just have to find the time . . . Would love to try out this company, as I had never heard of them before.
I’m new to gardening – I’ve only perused 5 or 6 catalogs. All the flower photos are really helping me get through winter :)
I have looked through 2 print seed catalogues, as well as 20ish online, and will most likely order some hard to find seeds via mail, buying the remainder locally.
Having moved into a new house this past October, I am even more overwhelmed than I usually am at this time of year, as I know that I should wait to see what is already here before I invest too much in what I know I want…but restraint, when it comes to seed shopping, has never been my strong suit.
Thank you, Margaret, for being such an invaluable source of inspiration to those of us who dream of gardens to come.
I have lost count on the number of catalogs that I looked at. So far I have ordered from four.
As many as I can get my hands on… so far haven’t placed orders but I must get moving.. spring will be here before you know it ;-)
Way too many! I’ve lost count!
None yet but don’t count me out. No wait – count me in!
I’ve probably browsed 4 or 5 catalogues, but I’ll only order from one or two. Thanks!