The Postman Comes

Well, actually, I’m pretty sure today it was Postwoman, but Postman rolls off the tongue much easier, and always reminds me of the Kevin Costner movie that totally tanked in the theaters, but which I happen to love.

Oh! The package! That’s right.  Today I got my package from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  I had to smile, when I opened up the package and found a little note tucked in that said something along the lines of “Sorry it took so long to get your seeds to you, we’ve had more business than usual this year, and some storms that have delayed shipping as well. Our apologies, and thanks for your business.”  First, I think it’s fantastic that they are so busy- their care in preserving heirloom fruits and vegetables is first rate, and I think it’s wonderful that people recognize that.  It’s also a sign that more people are gardening- that is also fantastic.  But what really made me smile was that it didn’t even take two weeks for my seeds to get to me.  And they were apologizing. It’s so cute!

Additionally, they were out of one of the varieties of radish seeds I ordered, and when I opened up the invoice, there were two one-dollar bills stapled to the invoice as a refund for the seeds I paid for online.  I just love their service, their care, and their attention to detail.  Last year when they were out of cucumber seeds I had ordered, I had asked them to go ahead and substitute something else.  Now that I think about it, for some reason, that wasn’t an option at checkout this year. Hmm.

Anyway, this completes my seed shopping for the year. (I know, if I tell myself that enough times I’ll believe it!) I ordered Huckleberries, two varieties of radish (well, three, but one was cancelled), bok choy, spinach, red orach, two varieties of cucumber, and serrano chilies.  Baker Creek also always throws in one packet of free seeds.  Last year they sent me the patty-pan squash, but this year they sent a packet of Thai Yellow Egg eggplant.  I hadn’t planned on doing eggplant this year, but now I’m very tempted to see how this variety is.  The real gold in this order though was the order of heirloom tomato seeds.  After last year’s success with the heirlooms, I will never go back.  Flavor wise, there was no comparison, they were so much better than the tomatoes I had from the garden center.

So without further ado, these are the new tomatoes I’ll be trying this year, their color in parenthesis afterwards:

  • Malakhitovaya Shkatulka (green)
  • Grace Lahman’s (pink)
  • Black Krim (purple)
  • Pantano Romanesco (red)
  • Reisentraube (grape tomato)
  • Golden Monarch (yellow)
  • Yellow Pear (yellow)

IN addition, from last year’s tomato seed stock I’ll also be doing:

  • German Red Strawberry (red)
  • Dr. Wyche’s Yellow (orange)
  • Green Zebra (green)
  • Roman Candle (yellow)

I’m on the fence about the Fox Cherry tomatoes I did last year.  Mine didn’t produce for some reason, but the ones I shared with friend grew, and they were delicious, but I may have enough other varieties to keep me busy- no?  That’s eleven varieties of tomatoes in my small square foot garden.  Lol. I cannot wait.  If you’re curious about the varieties at all, you can check out the descriptions at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  Of all the plants I grow, these are my favorite.  I loved the tomatoes last year, and I can’t wait to get them going again.  I want to have plenty for in my garden, and plenty to share with others for their gardens.  Heirloom tomatoes.  There’s nothing like them.

2 comments

  • The green Zebra and Cherry Toms will have a home here this year….They like it here and we love hosting (and eating) them. The green zebra are simply unmatched for flavor…I can still taste them.
    As far as seed orders being finished you and I both know thats just hogwash as it can never truly be done…LOL..
    I am sensing an expansion to the garden this year? or some serious amending to withstand the intensity of your methods (which Rock Bty).
    I will definetly be checking out Baker Creek next year as it sounds as though they are one of the few companies remaining that offer some serious good old fashioned service!!!
    Now if it would just stop snowing….and get just a tad warmer LOL

  • No, no expansion, just some serious amending, and some serious gardening. For example, if the weather works just so, I can plant my peas and my tomatoes in the same spot, by getting the peas in the ground as soon as it’s workable. If I do it right, when I set the tomatoes out, they’ll go where the peas are just about finishing up. I’m also doing a bit more experimenting- trying out new things, but only a square or two to see how they do.

    Baker Creek is excellent, although I don’t like how the owner mixes his politics and business… however, it’s his business, and even f I don’t agree, the seeds are worth it.