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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Chaos We Choose to Love!



Yesterday I was working on juggling chaos and order...decanting 55 gallon vats of fermenting cucumbers and tomatoes to extract their seeds, pouring off the fleshy slop to reveal the beauty of accumulated seeds that settle to the bottom. I'll paint a visual image if it helps...55 gallons of fruity and cheesy smelling cucumber brew pours into a countoured swale to avoid erosion as ducks quack and dibble ankle deep (do ducks have ankles?) in the muck happily foraging for immature seeds, rollicking soul-jazz pours forth from the barns' stereo in time with the rhythmic whacking of Amy's machette as she chops open basketball sized Green Hubbard winter squash, scooping out their seeds into buckets for water processing, the sun's going down and the late November frost is settling, particularily noticeable on wet hands, and wait, low and behold, at the bottom of one of the seed barrels I am pouring out, LEGO guys emerge from the ooze along with about a dozen rocks...alchemical additions to the cauldron from my 4 year old son, Jasper.
As darkness settles in the flood lights illuminate the work area as the projects near completion (a laughable prospect on a farm, as the next projects eagerly jockey for position to be next in line), buckets of wet tomato, pepper and cucumber seed await being spread onto drying racks, a sticky paste of potentiality that will dry into seed "cookies" that must be crumbled and rubbed through screens to render them plantable in any practical fashion. And then there's the reality of my limited drying rack space and lack of sunlight for drying sufficiently in the greenhouse....the next project shuffles to the front of the agenda...build a seed drying rack system next to the barn wood stove and get a fire built, fan positioned and screens in place. Ahhhh...momentary completion...it's 8:45 pm, 27 degrees out and another day on the seed farm comes to a close, as I walk home breathing in the incredible array of starlight streaming into my eyes from millions of light years away as ducks quack awaiting food and shelter from predators and sheep shuffle into the barn for hay and I amble home for wine, cheese and olives! Living the good life, never a dull moment!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

2010 Seed RoundUp!


The spring of 2010 was a real doozy!
Going into March we were anticipating a very dry summer, with almost no snowpack in the mountains. Then the rains came. And they didn't let up until late June. While a blessing for summer irrigation use, it made for a very challenging year on a number of counts:
* Wet soils made springtime soil preparation work difficult, necessitating thoughtful timing
* Pollination of fruit trees was very poor. There was snow and horizontal rain in both April and May. We had no fruit set on our peaches, Asian pears, cherries and Asian plums. Our Apple crop was 30-40% of last years.
* Much of what fruit that did manage to set was beset by scab and other fungal diseases as a result of high humidity.
* Due to wet soils many vegetables were planted 2-4 weeks later than normal. This resulted in some seed crops flowering later than normal, when warmer temperatures fostered poor fertilization. For instance Broccoli pollen dessicates (dries out) over 85 degrees farenheit. So even though we had nice plants, good flower and pollen production, the pollen dried out and we had nearly no seed set. Hence my 2 broccoli seed crops wound up as crop failures. Urrghh...so much beautiful broccoli let go to seed only to feed sheep!
* Once again, with the late planting, many fruiting crops (such as tomatoes, peppers and melons) are maturing so late that we are pushing up against the threat of frost to have enough heat to mature their seed adequately.

As I have come to anticipate these types of experiences as normal in the rough and tumble world of farming. Fortunately, my devotion to diversified permaculture farming ensures that something will grow successfully and keep food on the table and yield seeds to share. It is interesting to contemplate these moments as a farmer who awaits at the virtual "tap" of mother nature waiting fill my cup from her over-running abundance, in anticipation of excess akin to previous years' experience and have the cup only filled part way, climate change, a freak year, or what have you and be able to recognize deeply the intricate relationship that we have woven ourselves and our sustenance into. As climate change weirds our seasonal patterns we can no longer anticipate the norms of yesterday. Rather we must diversify further and become more creative with season extension techniques and permaculture food system approaches. When we grow our Riverspirit Rainbow flour corn we try and grow a 2 year supply every year to cover the off years when summer is short or the corn worms, raccoons or crows indulge themselves on an inordinate amount of our harvest. I am beginning to get the feeling that we are going to have to do this with more crops as we drift into this increasingly brave new world. In the meantime let's save the seeds that the incredible green goddess gifts us with!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Siskiyou Seeds early catalog release (see website after 2/27 at www.siskiyouseeds.com)

Welcome to a new paradigm in seed distribution: farmers selling fresh, organic seed direct to other growers. How novel! Siskiyou Seed is a bioregional, certified organic seed bank and seed source for gardeners and small farmers. Our vision is to connect seed growers, gardeners and farmers in a mutually beneficial relationship to support small-scale agriculture with superior genetics selected for the Pacific Northwest. We grow and distribute certified organic, open pollinated seeds through seed racks, a catalog and our website (www.siskiyouseeds.com). Our goal is to produce most of the seed on our farm, Seven Seeds Farm and fields we manage in Southern Oregon’s Applegate valley. We also work with successful, organic seed growers to increase the diversity of our offerings. Varieties that are not successful seed crops here (due to climate or cross-pollination issues, such as Spinach, Cabbage and Carrots) are sourced from outstanding, organic growers in the Pacific Northwest. More information about the farms that grow our seed is featured under the grower profiles. In this way we are able to offer well-selected fresh seed of exceptional vigor and quality. Through developing this network of seed producers we are strengthening our local seed security.
In order to grow life-giving food in your garden,
you need sun, soil, water and seeds. Our hope is that
you receive the first three ingredients in the correct
proportions, and we are doing our best to ensure that
the seeds you plant contain ample life-force to thrive and
flourish. Thank you for supporting a family farm business!
Don, Kimberly, Wali & Jasper

ABOUT US:

Siskiyou Seeds was conceived here at our family farm, Seven Seeds Farm arrived after 13 years of growing certified organic seed for many national scale mail order seed companies, which we continue to do. In addition to commercial seed production, Seven Seeds Farm produces biodynamic fruits and vegetables that we distribute through a cooperative Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program called the Siskiyou Sustainable Cooperative (www.siskiyoucoop.com) in the Rogue Valley. We also raise ducks, chickens, turkeys and sheep. Seven Seeds hosts numerous on-farm classes and workshops in a variety of sustainable agriculture related topics. To see a current listing of workshops at Seven Seeds and classes that Don Tipping will be teaching in southern Oregon please see our website www.siskiyouseeds.com.

After SOW Organic Seeds (founded in 1978 in Williams, OR) closed shop in 2007 after the untimely death of pioneering seedsman, Alan Vanet we recognized that our bioregion was left lacking a cohesive seed bank. Although we are blessed with abundant summer sun here in the “banana belt of southern Oregon”, the Siskiyous can be a challenging place to garden with our winter rainforest, summer desert climate of harsh extremes. Uniquely situated to serve our local community we recognized an opportunity to try and fill this important niche and will be offering our seeds nationally through our web site, and a print catalog.

There is tremendous opportunity for the renaissance of the bioregional seedsman/woman to select and breed varieties for organic agriculture. I am committed to the notion that well-selected, open-pollinated seeds can outperform commercially available hybrids. Through focusing on this crucial work, we can cooperate with gardeners and farmers to address the agronomic challenges that we will all face as climate change shifts microclimates in North America. Population breeding with special attention to horizontal resistance will hopefully alleviate the hardships growers experience with plant diseases, pests and climatic stress.

Careful attention to plant selection for seed saving can contribute to the improvement of important traits such as disease resistance, pest tolerance, climate adaptation, flavor and nutrition. Domestication is not an endpoint. Rather it is a relationship that is ongoing and can go in different directions. We are much more concerned with breeding plants that will foster healthy food for people, rather than traits such as ship-ability and shelf life. When we consider the concept of “food security” I find it logical that “seed security” should receive equal attention especially considering the threats of genetic engineering and the corporate consolidation of the seed industry. Much of the seed currently available from the traditional seed houses is increasingly coming from overseas and every year hundreds of valuable varieties are dropped from production. Consider that in the last 13 years over 200 regional seed companies have disappeared in our country. Bioregional seed banks and distribution networks will emerge as one of the more important stores of wealth in the future. Anyone want to buy futures in seeds? Let’s get planting!
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“I have great faith in a seed.” Thomas Jefferson
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“Seed is the biggest issue of democracy in food. Seed is a common resource, and we have to protect it for future generations…I would call GM [Genetic Modification] a cruelty to seed…I will live to see the end of Monsanto.” Vandana Shiva
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Tithing: We wouldn’t be where we are now if it wasn’t for the prayers of our ancestors and the thoughtful, good work of those that came before us. To honor this we are donating 4% of our profits (1% to each group) to the following organizations and we encourage you to invest in the future too! The Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center (www.kswild.org) seeks to preserve the outstanding biodiversity of our unique bioregion here. Big Wildlife (www.bigwildlife.org) works to protect large keystone species, like bears, cougars, wolverines) and other carnivores. Rogue Advocates (www.rogueadvocates.org) works to protect farmland and open space in the beautiful Rogue Valley. We frequently collaborate with the Organic Seed Alliance (www.seedalliance.org), a non-profit education, outreach and advocacy group that is currently the most effective voice for organic seed growing and challenging the proliferation of genetically engineered crops.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mohandas Gandhi


Contributing Seed Growers:

SSF: Seven Seeds Farm, Williams, OR

Don Tipping and Kimberly Brown have farmed on the north slope of Sugarloaf mountain (as seen on the cover) since 1997. They have produced seed for many commercial seed companies that offer organic seeds including Seeds of Change, Fedco, Abundant Life, Johnny’s. Renee’s, Turtle Tree Seeds, Uprisings Seeds, Wood Prairie Farm, Bountiful gardens and others. Their approach to seed growing aims to develop varieties that is resilient and capable of thriving in low-input, diverse micro-farming conditions. Siskiyou Seeds lives happily at Seven Seeds Farm

WGS: Wild Garden Seeds at Gathering Together Farm, Philomath, OR

Frank and Karen Morton have been real pioneers in the grassroots organic seed industry. Overseeing an extensive breeding program, they are responsible for a number of new original variety releases, some of which can be found in this catalogue. They have done an impressive amount of work, mostly with salad greens, of classical breeding for disease resistance. They grow about 8 acres of seed within the context of the much larger fresh market Gathering Together operation. Growing conditions are classic Willamette Valley hot dry summers and cool wet winters.

MBS: Mt Baker Seeds, Skagit Valley, WA

Woody Derykx of Concrete, WA has been part of the organic food movement as long as anyone we know. With his collaborating growers in the Skagit Valley he is working to revive a wealth of classic varieties that have been cast off by the industrial seed industry, improve them, and make them relevant again to the growing community. His location is perfect for producing top notch carrots, spinach and cabbage seed.
ERP: Eel River Produce, Shively, CA
Seasoned farmer, Bill Reynolds farms amidst the Redwoods on the Eel River in Southern Humboldt county. Bill is a produce farmer, seed grower and plant breeder and has co-developed (with John Navazio) the best open pollinated zucchini available (see “Dark Star”). He also works with tomatoes, squash and melons.

SOW: Southern Oregon Organic Seeds, Williams, OR

Alan Vanet was a pioneer in the organic seed movement beginning back in 1974 with Stone Broke Hippie Seeds, later Peace Seeds (1978) with Dr. Alan (Mushroom) Kapular. When Alan died in 2007 he left behind a legacy and a seed collection that we are attempting to revitalize and clean up some old lines. The climatic adaptation present in the genetics of this collection is of a value for which we are only beginning to recognize.

LKF: Lupine Knoll Farm, Williams, OR

Jesse and Jonathan Spero farm on the Williams Creek in Williams, OR doing tremendous work with developing new open pollinated, high nutrition sweet corn. They are also doing plant improvement and seed production work with broccoli, kale, tomatoes, and marigolds. Their forward thinking to plant breeding is resulting in varieties that have valuable traits for organic growers that the industrial farming model is sadly overlooking.

WGF: Wolf Gulch Farm, Jacksonville, OR

Tom and Maud Powell farm in a remote canyon in the beautiful Little Applegate river valley. They also coordinate a cooperative Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program called the Siskiyou Sustainable Cooperative (www.siskiyoucoop.com). They excellent genetic isolation and extensive farming experience make them invaluable growers of high quality organic seed.

LRF: L&R Family Farm: Provolt, OR

Liz Tree and Ryan Dolan farm organically in the Applegate River valley growing market produce and seeds for a variety of commercial catalog companies. Their approach to farming encompasses stewardship of grain crops, cattle, hogs, pasture, poultry and vegetables in a cohesive way that upholds good family farming ethics. They have their own organic garlic seed business with Taylor Starr; visit them on the web at www.organicgarlicseedfarm.com

Grower Code is listed after the variety descriptions (eg. SSF, WGS, etc..)
Hey! What’s “OOO”?

Throughout this catalog you will see this designation OOO - Oregon Organic Originals to highlight farmer-bred varieties uniquely adapted for organic growing conditions.

Vegetables (A-Z, Greens are grouped together)

BEANS Phaseolus vulgaris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Blue Lake” BUSH (62-75 days) – Straight and stringless, dark-green round 5-7” pods. Good fresh, canned, frozen. Originally bred in the Willamette valley. SOW
BE1: One ounce packet $3
“Domatsu” POLE (65 days) – Old farmer variety has been grown in the Applegate valley for over 35 years. Good adaptation for hot summers and extended picking period. Makes a good dry bean as well. Heavy yields from vigorous plants. SOW
BE2: One ounce packet: $3, Half pound: $8
“Giant Bush Romano” (60 days) – From the seed collection of the late Alan Vanet, they produce an abundant set of large (5-6” x 1”) flat-podded snap beans. They are stringless and richer in flavor than traditional green beans. Hold well in the field. Large speckled, lavender seeds make a good dry bean too. 40 beans to the ounce. SSF
BE3: one ounce packet: $3
“Pepe de Zappallo / Tiger’s Eye” BUSH (85 days) – Originally from Chile’. Vigorous growing bush dry bean a favorite for filling jars in our pantry with their gorgeous golden beans with maroon swirls on them. One of the earliest dry beans in our trials over the last decade. Beans are fairly large, 50/ ounce. Very nice cooking characteristics as the rich tasting beans hold their shape after cooking. Easy and rewarding to grow! HEIRLOOM, SSF
BE5: One-ounce packet: $3
“Scarlet Runner” POLE Phaseolus coccineus (65 – 90 days) – Rambunctious vines grow 6 to 18 feet tall, enjoys cool weather and is actually somewhat frost hardy. Beautiful crimson scarlet flowers attract hummingbirds. Large beans may be enjoyed at snap stage, fresh shelled or left to dry on the vine and used as a delightful creamy tasting dry bean. Seeds are black and maroon speckled. 20 seeds to the ounce. Native to S. America. ERP
BE6: one ounce packet: $3, Half pound: $8________________
BEETS, “Bull’s Blood” Beta vulgaris (65 days) – Intensely dark purple-red leaves add pizzazz to salads. Don’t disregard the deep red 2-3” roots as they make a nice table beet, steamed, boiled or grated raw on the aforementioned salad. Selected by seedsman Frank Morton. OOO. WGS
BT1: packet (350 seeds): $3, Ounce: $8
BEETS, “Early Wonder Tall Top” Beta vulgaris (48-60 days) – Standard production O.P. table beet. Vigorous 16” tops are tinged with purple make excellent eating greens. Roots are a 3” flattened globe that makes great bunched beets. Can be used as a storage beet. A workhorse variety!
BT2: packet (5g – 350 seeds): $3, Ounce (2100 seeds); $8
BROCCOLI, “ DeCiccio” Brassica oleracea (48-85 days) – Old reliable European variety, compact 2-3’ plant with 3-4” bluish-green central head, then lots of medium sized side shoots. Excellent eating quality. Variable productivity. Introduced in 1890. HEIRLOOM, SOW
BR2 packet (2g, about 500 seeds) $3
BROCCOLI, “Oregon Long Neck” Brassica oleracea (60-80 days) – Developed (and still in development) for organic conditions, this open pollinated broccoli from seed provided by Oregon State University in 2002. Grower/breeder Jonathan Spero provided heavy selection pressure by broadcasting the seed and selecting plants that thriving amidst this stress to produce this seed. The head stands high on the plant for easy harvest. This variety is still in development and should be considered a “gardener’s variety” only as it lacks the uniformity required of many commercial growers. OOO. LKF
BR1: packet (2g. about 500 seeds) $3


BRUSSELS SPROUTS, “Eco” Brassica oleracea (100 days) – Developed by Alan Kapular, this open pollinated strain produces plump green spouts on a tall stem with some purple coloration. Must start them early to get them to mature before fall frosts, which bring out their sweetness. OOO, SOW
BS1: packet (2g, about 500 seeds) $3_________________________
CABBAGE, “Red Express” Brassica oleracea (55-65 days) – An excellent O.P. compact, 2-3 pound red cabbage that heads up quickly. Uniform color, size and shape. Not a storage variety, rather enjoy them over the summer and fall.
CB1: packet (2g. ≈500 seeds) $3_________________________
CARROTS, “Nantes Fancy” Dacus carrota (65 days) – Smooth 5-8” roots with unmatched dark orange color and blunt tips, avg 1.75” diameter. Strong tops are disease resistant. Unusually uniform for an O.P., holds well in the field and keeps well. MBS
CT1: packet (3g. ≈ 200 seeds) $3
CARROTS, “Scarlet Keeper” Dacus carrota (85 days) A fall harvest and winter storage O.P. strain. 7-10” dark-orange roots, with a red core and a blunt tip. Heavy yields. Never bitter, even after prolonged storage. MBS
CT2: packet (3 g. ≈ 200 seeds) $3______________________
CELERY, “Giant Red Reselection” Apium graveolens (100 days) – The largest red-stalked variety. Has been selected for better color, cold hardiness and disease resistance. Very flavorful. Excellent in soups and stews and blanched pink hearts are divine in salad! WGS
CL1: packet (1g. ≈ 150 seeds) $3
CHINESE CABBAGE, “Nozaki Early” Brassica rapa (60 days) – Tall barrel shaped, heading variety produces 3-6 pound heads with light green leaves and broad white midribs. Heads up quickly. Best sown in spring or late summer. Dependable. MBS
CC1: packet (1g. ≈450 seeds) $3
CHINESE CABBAGE, “China Choy” Brassica rapa (70 days) – Similar to Bak Choy but with a looser rosette of leaves. Produces dark green leaves with wide, brilliant white petioles that are crunchy and tasty. Does well from spring or fall sowings. Good for Kim Chee. SSF
CC2: packet (1g. 450 seeds) $3
CHINESE CABBAGE, “Prize” Brassica rapa (50 days) –Grows quickly to produce a dense, open head with thick, flat, white stalks and dark green leaves. Succulent petioles are reminiscent of celery stalks and add crunch to salads or stir frys. Suitable for making fermented Kim chee/ Korean sauerkraut. Easy to grow, direct seed or transplant. SSF
CC3: packet (1g. 450 seeds) $3_________________
COLLARDS, “Flashy” Brassica oleracea (60 days) – Big, vigorous plants produce sweet, tender mild, blue green leaves all summer and then over winters well to provide greens through the fall, winter and early spring. Compare to the variety ‘Champion’. A real family feeder. SSF
CL1: packet (2g. ≈500 seeds); $3 Ounce (≈7000 seeds): $20
CORN, Zea mays____________________________________________________________
“Anasazi Sweet” (90 days) Productive, su, diverse, multi-colored sweet corn. Plants grow 6-8’ tall and produce 2 ears per plant that are 4-7” and 2” in diameter. Very flavorful. Ancient variety reportedly found by archeologists in Anasazi ruins. HEIRLOOM, LKF
CO1: packet (one ounce) $3, Half pound: $15
“Double Red” Sweet corn (85 days) – Open pollinated with deep purple stalks, kernels and mostly purple cobs. Developed by Dr. Alan Kapuler/Peace seeds. 6-7 foot tall plants with 1-2 ears per plant. The dark purple color is the anti-oxidant anthocyanidin-3 glycoside also found in blueberries and blackberries. Double red has potential as a natural anti-oxidant rich food and a dye plant. Wildly beautiful and tasty. OOO. LKF
CO2: packet (one ounce) $3
“Festivity” Sweet Corn (su with some sh2) Open pollinated, cold tolerant, rainbow colored, multi-stalked with frequently 3-4 ears per plant. Created with cool soil with higher latitude locations and low-fertility in mind. Most cobs have a blend of white, yellow, red and purple kernels. Variable. 5-6 feet tall. OOO. LKF
CO3: packet (one ounce): $3, Half pound: $15
“Hooker’s Sweet”(70 days) – The earliest sweet corn we grow. Very dependable in cool summers as seed can germinate at cooler soil temperatures and it’s short stature (4 to 5 ft.) doesn’t require as much heat as taller stalks. It produces 2 to 3 small (6-8”) ears per plant of deliciously flavorful bicolor corn that matures to dark blue when the seed is dry. We can grow 3 successions of this corn in our 120-day growing season. A tried and true farm favorite! HEIRLOOM, SSF
CO4: packet (one ounce): $3, Half pound: $15
“Riverspirit Rainbow” Flour Corn (90-110 days) – A stable & diverse gene pool of native flour corns including Anasazi, Hopi Blue, Hopi White and others that has been successfully grown on homesteads in OR & CA for decades. Tall (7-10’) plants produce 1-2 large (10-20”) ears in every color and pattern imaginable. Excellent for corn bread, masa, tamales and adding to any recipe that calls for wheat. Incredibly beautiful – shucking it is like opening a present from the Earth! OOO, SSF
CO5: Packet (one ounce): $3, Half pound: $15
“Sparkler” (se x su F1) Sweet corn. All the hybrid vigor. Twice the diversity. An F1 hybrid cross of an ancient Anasazi corn with a modern sugar enhanced variety. Big cobs (both in length and width) with large kernels. Tasty and highly productive. At eating stage, about ½ the cobs will be yellow-white bicolor, the other half will have varying amounts of red and purple in addition to the yellow and white. OOO. LKF
CO6: packet (one ounce): $3, Half pound: $15_______________
CUCCUMBERS: (Cucumis sativus)
“Lemon” (68 days) – Very productive variety introduced in 1894 produces copuis amounts of pale yellow round sweet and crunchy fruits that are delicious eaten right in the garden. Never bitter. Plants are sprawling vines that keep producing up until frost. Disease resistant. Children love them. HEIRLOOM, SSF
CU1: Packet (2g. ≈45 seeds) $3
“Mideast Peace” (70-85 days) – From the seed collection of Alan Kapular, also known as ‘Mideast Prolific’ 3-5’ vines produce several crops of 6-8”, non-bitter, smooth-skinned is thin and makes for excellent fresh eating or pickles. OOO, SSF
CU2: Packet (2g ≈45 seeds) $3
“Suyo Long” (60-70 days) From northern China. Ribbed, dark-green skin with heavy white spines. 10-18” long fruits are almost seedless, non-bitter burp less, crisp and tender. Very prolific. Heat resistant. PM resistant. Trellis for straight fruits. HEIRLOOM, SSF
CU3: Packet (1g ≈ 25 seeds) $3______________________
EGGPLANT, “Violetta di Firenze” Solanum melonega (60-80 days) Beautiful and unusual lavender fruit sometimes striped with white. Large and stocky and grooved fruit sometimes resembles squash, needs ample heat to mature successfully. Cloche or greenhouse culture recommended in colder microclimates. HEIRLOOM, WGF
EG1: packet (1/2g. ≈ 60 seeds) $3_______________________
FENNEL, “Perfection” Foeniculum vulgare (75 days) An excellent quality European, bulbing fennel. Matures quickly, even in cool weather, sow spring through autumn. Produces a large, round, succulent bulb with an anise flavor that is sweet and mild. Our children love this raw. Also great steamed, baked or fried. WGS
FN1: Packet (1g ≈250 seeds) $3

GREENS______________________________________________________________
Arugula “Sputnik” Eruca vesicaria (30 days) - A unique find from a pickling spice bulk jar in Italy by plant breeder John Navazio. Pleasantly piquant leaves contain a pleasing mix of lobed and strap shapes. Selected for bolt resistance over multiple generations. A delicious basil substitute for “rocket pesto” early in the season, simply blend with garlic, olive oil, and nuts or sunflower seeds and enjoy. HEIRLOOM, SSF
AR1: Packet (2g.≈500 seeds) $3
Cress, “Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled” Lepidium Sativum (35 days) – Bred by Frank Morton, “a cross between ‘Persian’ and ‘Curly’ cress, the leaves of this unique variety are held erect for easy cutting. The twisted, crisped and savoyed texture gives these leaves unexpected heft and toothsomeness for a little garden cress.” Late bolting. OOO, WGS
PC1: Packet (1g. ≈350 seeds) $3
Lambs quarters, “Magenta” Chenopodium gigantium (30 days) – I obtained this seed from seedsman, Doug Gosling 20 years ago, where this plant bedazzled garden-goers and salad eaters with its iridescent magenta leaves. Flavor is tender and uniquely rich. Self sows readily if allowed to go to seed. Heat tolerant. Flowering plants can reach 5 feet tall. SSF
LQ1 Packet (2g.) $3
Mustard, “Komatsuna” Brassica rapa (35-55 days) – aka ‘Spinach mustard’. This plant is a non-heading leaf-type of Chinese cabbage with a tender, sweet, non-spicy flavor. Great used young in salad mix or let mature for stir-fry. Grows very quickly to 12-18” height. HEIRLOOM, SSF
MU1: Packet (1g. ≈450 seeds) $3
Mustard, “Mitzuna” Brassica rapa (40-65 days) – A quick growing, tender, non-pungent mustard for use in salads or stir-fry. Slender leaves are deeply cut with thin stems and mild, sweet flavor. Selected for generations for non-hairiness and late bolting. HEIRLOOM, SSF
MU2: Packet (1g. ≈450 seeds) $3
Mustard, “Wild Garden Pungent Mix” Brassica juncea (30-45 days) – Bred by Frank Morton, “A mixture of 7+ diverse varieties. Bunches of this look like vegetable bouquets. Perfect for salad mix diversity. Leaf colors are golden, green, striped red, and solid purple; flavors sweet, pungent, and hot.” OOO, WGS.
MU3: Packet (1g.≈500 seeds) $3
Orach, “Purple Mountain Spinach” Atriplex hortensis (45 days) - A relative of spinach, Orach makes delicious heat tolerant greens all summer with gorgeous purple sparkly leaves. When plant it in flower it can reach 6 feet and reseeds easily. Direct sow. Visually spectacular in the garden and on the salad plate! SSF
OR1 Packet (4g.) $3
Purslane, “Golden” Portulaca oleracea sativa (30-60 days) – A big garden strain of the familiar weed, does not become invasive, but will self sow if tended. Thick and succulent grows to 14” tall. Juicy, lemon flavored leaves make a great summer salad addition. Very high in Omega-3 fatty- acids. WGS
PU1: packet (1/2 g. ≈500 seeds) $3________________________________
KALE, Black Tuscan” Brassica oleracea (50 days) this is an excellent Lacinato (or Dino) type kale from the late Alan Vanet and SOW seeds. With dark green leaves and resistance to both heat and cold, it provides tasty, nutritious, tender kale leaves for most of the year. Very winter hardy it becomes exceptionally sweet after frost. A proven farmer’s market favorite it is beautiful to behold as well. HEIRLOOM. LKF
KL1: packet (2g ≈ 500 seeds): $3, Ounce (≈ 8,000 seeds): $15

Please visit us on the web at www.siskiyouseeds.com

KALE, “Red Russian” Brassica napus (50 days) The standard homestead/garden kale in the PNW. Leaves are blue-green, flat and lobed/toothed with beautiful purple stems and veins. Mild flavor can be used young in salad or mature as a cooking green. Selected for multiple generations for cold hardiness down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit and uniform color. HEIRLOOM, SSF
KL2: packet (2g ≈450 seeds) $3
KALE, “Red Ursa” Brassica napus (60 days) Bred by Frank Morton, “combines the broadleaf frills of ‘Siberian’ with the color of ‘Red Russian’. Great raw flavor for salads, especially the young mature leaves of full-grown plants. Gives good fluff to flat salad…also perfect for light stir-frying.”
KL4: packet (2g.≈450 seeds) $3
Kale, “White Russian” Brassica napus (60 days) – The most cold hardy kale, also bolts later in the spring than any other kale by 2-3 weeks, which helps to keep the garden on your dinner plate in the lean month of April. Looks like Red Russian kale, but with white veining and stems. Generally regarded as the best tasting kale by many. HEIRLOOM, SSF
KL3: packet (2g. ≈450 seeds) $3_________________________________
Leeks, “King Sieg” Allium porrum (85 days) - Beth Rasgorshek of Canyon Bounty in Idaho crossed King Richard with Siegfried Frost leek to create a versatile stable cultivar that has some of the good attributes of both. Its shanks are intermediate between the long King Richard and the short Siegfried, about 6" long but with a wonderful 3" thickness for a wide edible area. It also has some of Siegfried’s delightful blue-green coloration and delayed maturity. WGF
LK1: packet (2g. ≈700 seeds) $3
Leeks, “Tadorna” Allium porrum (110 days) A Large leek for fall production. Uniform, long shafts are east to clean and have that delicious mild flavor that brings just the right subtlety to fall and winter meals. SSF
LK2: packet (2g ≈ 700 seeds): $3, Ounce: $20
LETTUCE, Latuca sativa____________________________________________
“Bronze Arrow” (60 days) - Gorgeous mild-flavored heirloom with oak leaf tips and a tightly wrapped, sweet heart. Produces heavy heads that are a mix of greens, red, and of course…bronze. Good market variety. Slow to bolt and very cold hardy. HEIRLOOM, SSF
LT1: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Concept” (50 days) – My favorite green head lettuce. This Batavian type is a dense, large, sweet flavored variety that holds up well in the heat. Does well as a fall lettuce too. SSF
LT2: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Crispmint” (55 days) – Romaine type. A vigorous growing, uniquely savoyed upright, green romaine. Heads are large and tight. Fairly bolt and disease resistant. This beautiful, sweet tasting lettuce is a real standout and has become one of our favorites. SSF
LT3: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Devil’s Ears” (50 days) – “Les Oreilles du Diablo” One of the most unique varieties of lettuce that I’ve seen. Deer tongue type, produces a large rosette of pointed shiny, rusty-red/green leaves like a big star. A vegetable mandala. Heat resistant, without becoming bitter. HEIRLOOM, SSF
LT4: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Dark Lolo Rosa” (55 days) – Very dark purple/red, frilly leaves make an attractive addition to salads. Great salad mix variety as it adds color and loft. Slow growing and bolt resistant. SSF
LT5: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3

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“Forellenschullus” (55days) – A loose leaf Romaine from Austria whose name means, “speckled like a Trout’s back” in German. Leaves are bright apple green with maroon-scarlet blotches. Winner of many tastes tests for its excellent mild sweet flavor. A good salad mix variety for its unique leaf coloration. HEIRLOOM, SSF
LT6: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3, Ounce (25,000 seeds): $25
“Lettuce Mix” (30 days for baby leaves) – A mixture of all of the varieties we offer. Instant salad mix diversity! Direct seed in succession for a continuous supply of cutting salad leaves. SSF
LT7: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3, Ounce (25,000 seeds): $25
“Marin” (55 days) – A nice, refined green head lettuce that achieves a large stature with its open whirl of slightly savoyed rumpled leaves. As good market head lettuce that has been largely dropped by the commercial seed trade. SSF
LT8: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Merlot” (30 days baby, 60 days head) – Leaves are intensely purple, red with a nearly metallic sheen. Terrific for a real stand-out salad mix. Doesn’t have the weight for head lettuce culture Very disease and bolt resistant. Good source of the antioxidant, anthocyanin. SSF
LT9: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“New Red Fire” (50 days) – Grand Rapids type. A reliable market standard red head lettuce has filled many cases on organic farms around the country. Leaves are a nice combination of red and green. Versatile plant can be grown as a 3-season head lettuce as it’s bolt resistant and has good disease resistance. SSF
LT10: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Optima” (60 days) – Butterhead type. A large, dark green butterhead with a succulent blanched heart. Very good disease resistance, which is helpful in butter as most others are fairly wimpy. SSF
LT11: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Outredgeous” (50 days) – Bred by Frank Morton, this variety had intensely red-pigmented leaves in an open romaine shape. Great for cutting for salad mix, although it can make a nice smaller head. Pretty. OOO, SSF
LT12: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Redina” (55 days) – Grand Rapids type. Good red head lettuce, but works equally well cut young for a mix. Frilly, medium-red leaves. Exhibits good disease resistance. SSF
LT13: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Red Iceberg” (60 days) – Forget what you know about Iceberg lettuce and picture crunching your teeth into the thick sweet, juicy midribs of this French crisphead/Batavian lettuce. Forms a tightly wrapped, softball sized head surrounded by a satellite dish of reddish-green leaves. Very bolt resistant and doesn’t become bitter in summer heat. Delightful! SSF
LT14: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3
“Red Sails” (50 days) – Grand Rapids type. Ruffled, fringed leaves frame a nice large head lettuce that is among the most bolt resistance red lettuces. Crisp midribs make for crunchy summer salads. SSF
LT15: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3, Ounce (25,000 seeds): $25
“Romaine Mix” (30 days for baby leaves) – A wonderful assortment of 25 different types of upright romaine lettuces for direct seeding into a cut and come again salad bed. Includes reds, light greens, dark greens, speckled, and unique combinations. Easy pickin’s! OOO, SSF
LT16: packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3 Ounce (25,000 seeds): $25
“Verte Mar” (55 days) – A big, dark-green tall heading Romaine type. Uniform heads are surrounded by tasty, crisp, slightly crinkled leaves that are sweeter than other romaine’s. HEIRLOOM, SSF.
LT17 packet (1g. ≈ 800 seeds) $3, Ounce (25,000 seeds): $25
Melons, Cucumis melo_______________________________________________________
“Athena F2” ((79 days) – This is the first step down the breeder’s road of stabilizing this workhorse hybrid variety. Selected from choice fruits within a 3-acre field at Fry Family Farm. Long grown for its disease tolerance, crack resistance, good shelf life and thick, exceptionally sweet orange flesh. 4 pound average fruits, oval shape. SSF
ML1: packet (2g.≈75 seeds) $3
“Eel River” (90-100 days) This long season melon is worth the wait for its 3-8 pound fruits with thin skin and dense luscious orange flesh that’s remarkably creamy. Also referred to as ‘Crane melon’ it has been improved and reselected by seedsman, Bill Reynolds in southern Humboldt county for many years. HEIRLOOM, ERF
ML5: packet (2g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3, Half-Ounce (500 seeds): $20
“Galia x Haogen F1” (80 days) – An early glimpse into a breeding project to confer the netted rind trait of Galia to the awesome flavor of Haogen. We have loved Haogen for its unique pineapple-like luscious flavor, its productivity and the eye appeal of its green and yellow striped fruits. However it has a very thin rind that bruised easily. Galia improves on this aspect, but we found that it sacrificed some of the flavor and texture. So see for yourself what this novel mating yields! SSF
ML2: packet (2g≈75 seeds) $3
“Haogen” (80 days) – An Israeli perfume melon held in high esteem for its creamy, sweet green flesh that is much richer than any honeydew. Smooth skin with no netting. Worth growing for the smell of the ripe fruits alone. One of our favorite tasting melons hands down. Good dependable short season variety for northern growers has vigorous vines that produce 10 or more fruit. 1-5 pounds. SSF
ML3: packet (2g. 75 seeds) $3, Half-Ounce (500 seeds): $20
“Mountain Honey” (85 days) – A very productive traditional netted cantaloupe with excellent flavor. Texture is smooth and firm. Highly prolific, each plant can produce 10-12, 2-4 pound melons successfully even with the cool nights of our mountain farm. A good open pollinated melon for market growers. SSF
ML4: packet (2g.≈75seeds) $3
ONIONS, Allium cepa______________________________________________
“New York Early” (98 days) – An improved strain of early Yellow Globe. Long day, Northern type with globe shape and very hard bulbs that store very well. Sweet enough for sandwiches and salads, but more bite than Siskiyou Sweet below. WGF
ON1: packet (2g. ≈ 450 seeds) $3
“Siskiyou Sweet” (110 days spring sown, or 300 days over wintered) –A reselection of Walla Walla sweet onion. Light brown skin with white flesh that is very mild and sweet. Summer ripening from a spring sowing is convenient for fresh use, not a keeper. Fresh tops useful as scallions. Very cold hardy. Can attain mammoth proportions with ample fertility, our record is 2.5 pounds without trying anything fancy. SSF
ON2: packet (2g.≈ 450 seeds): $3, Ounce (≈6500 seeds): $20
“Southport Red Globe” (100-120 days) – Large globe with glossy purple-red skin. Mild firm white, pink-tinged flesh with pungent flavor. Long day type. Heavy yields possible because it can easily attain 10-12 ounce bulb size. Good market and medium storage variety. HEIRLOOM, SSF
ON3: packet (2g. ≈450 seeds): $3, Ounce (≈6500 seeds): $20
“Valencia” (115 days) – Large, sweet Spanish type with a full globe covered in a bronze skin. White flesh is very mild and sweet, although not as sweet as ‘Siskiyou Sweet’ above. Keeps well for a sweet onion. Thick necks require careful handling and drying for good storage. SSF
ON4: packet (2g. ≈450 seeds) $3
PARSNIP, “Cobham Improved Marrow” Pastinaca sativa (120 days) – An old English variety with 8-10 inch tapered white roots with excellent sweet flavor. Selected for a gentle taper with a nice wedge profile. Vigorous foliage. Very high sugar content makes for sublime winter dishes. Very cold hardy. HEIRLOOM, SSF
PN1: packet (4g. ≈850 seeds): $3, Ounce (≈6100 seeds): $20_____________
PEAS, “Cascade” Pisum sativum (58-70 days) – A bush pea with 3 foot vines that produce prodigious quantities of 3” stringless pods with fabulous snap and sweet flavor. Thick pod walls. Out performs Sugar Ann in our experience. Multiple disease tolerance. Bred by Dr. James Baggett, OSU
PE1: packet (one ounce/28g.) $3
PEAS, “Sugar Daddy” Pisum sativum (68-75 das) – A dwarf bush snap pea with 24-30” vines that need little support. Heavy yields of 2.5-3.5” pods with thick, crunchy sweet flavor. 3 harvests common.
PE2: packet (one ounce/28 g.) $3
PEAS, “Sugar Snap” Pisum sativum (70 days) – This is the classic snap pea with vigorous vines that grow to 6-7 feet, requiring staking. Pods are 3” and are borne over a long season. Incredible flavor is unmatched.
PE3: packet (one ounce/28g.) $3
PEPPERS(Capsicum annum, unless noted otherwise)_____________________________
“Bolivian Rainbow” Capsicum baccatum (75-90 days) a different species than other commonly grown peppers, this variety has purple=green foliage and stems. The fruits go through a rainbow of colors: green, purple, yellow, orange then red. Often all colors are seen on a plant at once. Very ornamental. Fruits are small, ¾” and very spicy, actually make that very, very spicy! Can be grown in a pot as an edible houseplant. SSF
PR1: packet (1/2g ≈ 100seeds) $3
“Cayenne- Aci Sivri” (80-90 days) – This strain from Hungary is incredibly prolific, producing up to 25 fruits per plant that are about 5-10” long. Fruits ripen from green to a brilliant shade of red and are larger than traditional cayenne’s without sacrificing the heat. Excellent for making ristras. Very impressive. SSF
PR2: packet (1/2g. ≈ 70 seeds) $3
“Pimento Mix” (90 days) – A blend of round red pimento and ‘Lipstick’ elongated shapes. Selected for generations for productivity and lodge-resistance. Delicious, thick juicy fruits that endear these peppers to many. Plants grow to 18-24” tall and set about a dozen fruits in our climate. We grow many in our greenhouse and enjoy them for 2 months after the last frost, a little taste of tropical fruit in the winter. SSF
PR3: packet (1/2g≈ 70 seeds) $3
“Rellano” (80 days) – Big, beautiful mild chile for making chile’ Rellano. Stocky plants are reliably productive in northern areas. Fruits emerge as green and mature to a waxy, scarlet red. Quite mild flavor can be enjoyed by even those why traditionally shy away from chile’s. SSF
PR4: packet (1/2g ≈ 70 seeds) $3
“Yankee Bell” (60days green/ 80 days red) – Developed by Rob Johnston in Maine for short season growers. This is a blocky medium sized pepper with 3 or 4 lobes that ripens to a bright red. Compact growth habit helps to shade fruits from sunburn and resist lodging. SSF
PR5: packet (1/2 g. ≈ 70 seeds) $3_______________________________
PUMPKIN, “Winter Luxury” Cucurbita pepo (105 days) – An old variety that’s making a comeback because of its excellent flavor for pumpkin pies. Uniquely netted orange skin over thick flesh. Sprawling vines produce 3-4 fruits that are 5-7 pounds each. HEIRLOOM, LKF
PK1: packet (5g. ≈ 30 seeds): $3, Ounce (175 seeds): $10
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RADISH, Raphanus sativus_____________________________________________________
“French Breakfast” (25 days) Classic heirloom with an elongated shaped with a pleasing mix of scarlet-red on top and white on bottom. Grows very rapidly and is best enjoyed while they are young and tender. Distinctly mild pungent flavor. Grown since 1880s. HEIRLOOM, SSF
RD1: packet (7g, ≈650 seeds) $3
“Plum Purple” (30 days) – Rescued from PVP private domain by seedsman, Dr. John Navazio. A delightful quick-growing garden beauty that retains its crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor to a larger size than most other radishes. Beautiful amethyst skin over bright white flesh. Selected for resistance to wire worms over multiple generations. SSF
RD2: packet (7g. ≈650 seeds) $3
“Rondo” (25-30 days) – An old German round-red variety with a nice globe shape and crisp and mild bright white interior. Rediscover radishes! HEIRLOOM, SOW
RD3: packet (7g. ≈ 650 seeds) $3
“White Finger” (30 days) – A unique addition to the early spring garden, White Finger makes long slender roots with a blunt tip with bright white skin and flesh. As with most radishes they are best enjoyed when young and tender. SOW
RD4: packet (7g ≈ 650 seeds) $3_______________________________
SPINACH, “Bloomsdale Longstanding” Spinacia oleracea (45 days) A classic open pollinated strain introduced in 1925 that is well-selected in the Skagit valley of Washington for its upright, dark-green savoyed leaves and terrific spinach flavor. Performs better than most varieties in the heat, but really excels in spring and fall plantings. HEIRLOOM, MBS
SP1: packet (3g. ≈ 225 seeds): $3 Ounce (≈2200 seeds): $10
SPINACH, “Winter Giant” Spinacia oleracea (45 days) Also known as ‘ Geant Hiver’ in France. Smooth, semi-savoyed variety with medium green leaves that are exceptionally cold hardy. This is an excellent strain for late summer and fall seeding. HEIRLOOM, MBS
SP2: packet (3g. ≈ 225 seeds): $3 Ounce (≈2200 seeds): $10
SQUASH, SUMMER, Curcibita pepo___________________________________________
“Costata Romanesca” (55 days) Delicious Italian heirloom with pale green fruits with distinct ribs. Although it yields lower than hybrid varieties, its flavor is far superior, creamy, nutty and with great texture. Exceptionally large blossoms lend themselves to frying well. WGF
SS1: packet (5g ≈ 25 seeds): $3 Ounce (≈150 seeds): $15
“Dark Star” Zucchini (50 days) - A new open pollinated zucchini developed by Eel River, California organic grower, Bill Reynolds that has been bred as an OP market gardener workhorse alternative to hybrids. Spineless stalks prevent damage to fruits while harvesting. Long harvest window is a good trait for farmer and gardener alike. Remarkably vigorous. ERP
SS2: packet (5g. ≈ 25 seeds): $3 Ounce (≈150 seeds): $15
“Yellow Crookneck” (50 days) – An tried and true variety with exceptional productivity of tender, smooth yellow fruits with an intriguing twist. Bush habit helps to save space in the garden. The flavor of this variety is rich and creamy, delightful steamed and mashed with butter! HEIRLOOM, SSF
SS3: packet (5g. ≈25 seeds): $3, Ounce (≈250 seeds): $15
SWISS CHARD, Beta vulgaris__________________________________________________
“Fordhook Giant” (50 days) – An incredibly vigorous green leafed chard with very wide, brilliant white petioles. Leaves can grow to 3’ tall with good fertility! Lots of variation in leaf shape, but generally heavily savoyed. An old standby in gardens across northern latitudes. HEIRLOOM, SSF
SC1: packet (5g ≈350 seeds) $3

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“Prismatic Rainbow” (60 days) – Our selection that has leaves in shades of green, red, pink, yellow, orange and stripes. Highly ornamental, it’s a beautiful sight to behold! Selected for resistance to leaf miners, wide petioles and upright growth habit. This strain was tops in a recent trial in Washington. OOO. SSF
SC2: packet (5g. ≈350 seeds) $3 Ounce (≈2, 100 seeds): $10
“Pink Passion” (55 days) – Gorgeous deep magenta leaf stalks and venation over dark green lightly savoyed leaves. Very beautiful! Selected for wide petioles, upright growth habit and winter hardiness. SSF
SC3: packet (5g.≈350 seeds) $3
Ounce (≈2, 100 seeds) $10
“Rhubarb” (55 days) – This is the standard for red chard. A selection by John Navazio, it has deep ruby, red stems and dark green leaves with a pleasing savoyed rumple. Can be used young as a baby leaf in salad mix for some color. Try sautéing with balsamic vinegar and sweet onions, delightful. WGS
SC4: packet (5g ≈ 350 seeds) $3
TOMATO, Lycopersicon esculentum_____________________________________
“Black Cherry” (60 days) – A refreshing break from the ordinary, this purple brown cherry tomato has incredibly abundant 1” diameter fruits with a complex, rich sweet flavor. Very productive with vigorous vines that can top 6 feet, so stake accordingly or you’ll be traversing a jungle of tangled tomatoes to satiate your desire for more of these tasty treats. SSF
TM1: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Burbank Slicing” (70-80 days) – Developed by the infamous, Luther Burbank, this variety is a reliable producer of 4-6 ounce round red fruits on bush habit plants that do not require trellising. Flavor is a pleasant sweet/tart. Crack resistant and disease tolerant. SSF
TM2: packet (1/4 g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Caro Rich” (72-80 days) – Indeterminate. Large 4-6 ounce beefsteak type fruits with a deep golden-orange color and low acid flesh. Very high in beta-carotene. Selected for crack resistance and general adaptability. Productive and pretty. HEIRLOOM, SSF
TM3: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Chianti Rose” (90 days) – A beautiful large pink-fruited tomato that is the result of an intentional cross between the famous heirloom, Brandywine and Oxheart. Fruits are 8-16 ounces, mostly smooth, but some have furrows. Flesh is thick and meaty with a distinctive, full, rich flavor and very few seeds. Vigorous indeterminate vines require staking. SSF
TM4: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Double Rich” (60-80 days) – Indeterminate. Double Rich has solid, meaty, medium sized deep red globe shaped fruit with 50-60 units of Vitamin C per fruit. Good short season producer. Good resistance to blight and wilt. HEIRLOOM. SSF
TM5: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Doucet’s Plum” (60-70 days) – One of the earliest tomatoes for the Pacific Northwest. Plum tomatoes are larger than a cherry, but smaller than a slicer, makes a great salad tomato. Originally obtained from the Sandhill Preservation Society. LKF
TM6: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“German Streaked” (80 days) – Large 8-12 ounce, flattened fruits are a beautiful yellow, orange red marbled pattern. Particularly attractive when sliced. Flavor is very fruity and complex and reminiscent of fruits from more tropical locales. My favorite! HEIRLOOM, SSF
TM7: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Marvel Striped” (90-110 days) – Originally from the Zapotec peoples of Mexico. Produces large 10-16 ounce fruits on indeterminate vines. Fruits are yellow, orange with a lobed, pleated shape, and very few seeds. Complex, fruity and tasty. HEIRLOOM, SSF, LRF
TM8: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“ORLST” (80-85 days) - This variety came to us from the collection of seedsman, Alan Vanet with this strange name, which we’ve deciphered as ORegon Late Spring Tomato. It appears to share genetic parentage with the OSU/James Bagget variety ‘Oregon Star’. ORLST produces nice 1-2 pound flattened red fruits with few seeds, a nice firm texture and great rich flavor. The most productive red slicer in our trials last year. SSF
TM9: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Peacevine Cherry” (78 days) – Stabilized from the hybrid ‘Sweet 100’ by Dr. Alan Kapular of Peace Seeds. This rambunctious indeterminate produces an astounding amount of 1” round red fruits, borne in cluster of 6-10. Flavor is excellent, sweet/tart. You’ll find yourself gorging on them in the garden. Contains very high levels of Vitamin C and gamma-amino butyric acid, a natural nervous system sedative, hence the name. SSF
TM10: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Peron Sprayless” (70 days) Introduced in 1951 from Greece. Early, vigorous midseason tomato with good crack resistance and exceptional disease resistance. Deep-red 10-ounce fruits are globe shaped. Outperforms hybrids. Indeterminate, requires staking. HEIRLOOM, SSF
TM11: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Red Pear” aka “Red Fig” (70-80 days) – Very vigorous vines produce copuis quantities of delightful 1.75”x1” pear shaped fruits that are scarlet-red. Delightful sweet mild flavor really spruces up salads. Crack resistant. One of our favorites. Originally brought from Italy. HEIRLOOM, SSF
TM12: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Sweet Orange II” (65 days) – A unique open pollinated orange cherry tomato that is exceptionally productive. Crack resistant. Bred for higher sugar levels. LKF
TM13: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Thessaloniki” (66-80 days) – Indetermate. Developed in Greece, this variety produces uniform baseball sized smooth red fruits that weigh 4-6 ounces. Resistant to sunburn, cracking and spots. Mild flavor. A reliable early producer. SSF
TM14: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Willamette” (70-100 days) – 3-4’ bushy vines yield quality small (3”), smooth red slicers. Bred at OSU for Oregon growers. Small stem and blossom scars. SSF
TM15: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Wisconsin55” (72-75 days) – Large smooth red slicer that produced uniform 3-4” round fruits that hold very well off the vine. Strong skin and solid walls give this tomato the workhorse characteristics that could make it a main crop tomato for market growers. Flavor is excellent, full, rich and satisfying. SSF
TM16: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Yellow Pear” (70-80 days) Rampant indeterminate vines produce clusters of small (1.5-2” x .75-1” diameter), yellow pear shaped fruits. Mild flavor. Great eye appeal for fresh eating. 1805, HEIRLOOM, SSF
TM17: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3
“Yellow Brandywine” (75-100 days) – Indeterminate, fuzzy potato leaf vines that make humongous 1-2+ pound fruits that are flattened with occasional ribbing. Delicious creamy texture and complex bouquet will satisfy the most discriminating tomato connoisseur. HEIRLOOM, SSF
TM18: packet (1/4g. ≈ 75 seeds) $3

*All Seeds are certified Organic to the USDA NOP Standards

‘OOO” = Oregon Organic Original’ variety, bred for organic conditions

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WATERMELON, “Early Yellow Moonbeam” Citrullus lanatus (80-90 days) – This variety originated as a hybrid called ‘Yellow Doll’ and was stabilized over the last 2 decades as a result of the work of Dr. Alan Kapular. A reliable producer of 3-8 pound fruits with bright, lemon yellow crisp sweet flesh. Very thin rind that has been known to crack open with an audible ‘pop’ when stared at for too long or handled roughly. Refined flavor. Productive variety for northern growers. SSF
________WM1: packet (3g. ≈ 70 seeds): $3, Ounce (≈650 seeds): $20_______________
WINTER SQUASH, “Buttercup, Burgess” Cucurbita maxima (100days) – A 3-5 pound, blocky squash with deep orange skin and dark orange flesh that is sweet, creamy and smooth. Very nice eating quality, not stringy. Productive vines yield 3-8 fruits each. HEIRLOOM
WS1: packet (6g. ≈ 30 seeds) $3
Winter Squash, “Butternut, Waltham strain” Cucurbita moschata (110 days) – Solid 9” fruits weigh in at 4-6 pounds and have a very small seed cavity, brilliant orange flesh and a tan skin. Flavor is sweet, smooth and slightly nutty. Excellent for pie. Requires supplemental curing in a greenhouse or warm house post harvest to properly color up and cure. U of Mass. 1956 introduction. HEIRLOOM, SSF
WS2: packet (6g. ≈ 40 seeds) $3
Winter Squash, “Delicata – Zeppelin” Cucurbita pepo (100 days) – A much loved 1894 heirloom winter squash that’s just the right size for a side dish with dinner. The fruits are 7-10” long, weigh about a pound and posses flesh that’s finer textured, sweeter, and significantly longer keeping than other strains. HEIRLOOM, WGS
WS3: packet (6g. ≈ 40 seeds) $3
Winter Squash, “Stella Blue” Cucurbita maxima (100 days) – Developed by Bill Reynolds this variety is an improved baby blue Hubbard type, suitable for family dinners. Slate gray skin conceals thick deep orange flesh that is smooth, sweet and delicious. Try cutting one in half and filling with rice, onion, garlic, tomatoes and the like and baking it! ERP
WS4: packet (6g. ≈ 30 seeds) $3
Winter Squash, “Sunshine Daydream” Cucurbita Maxima (90 days) – Good ideas have to start somewhere…this project started as a taste bud love affair with the excellent variety ‘Sunshine F1’ a delicious orange skinned squash developed by Rob Johnston. With the dream of culturing this strain into an open pollinated variety, we offer this F2 assession. Some variability is distinctly possible, but we have faith that the flavor of this productive and tasty squash is worth it. An heirloom of tomorrow in the making. SSF
WS5: packet (6g ≈ 30 seeds) $3
Winter Squash, “Sweet Dumpling” Cucurbita pepo (95 days) – Delightfully sweet and smooth baked or steamed, this productive squash makes 8-12 4-5” roundish fruits like little yellow and green striped pumpkins. A favorite with children. Stores quite well until April. SSF
WS6: packet (6g. ≈ 40 seeds) $3

HERBS_______________________________________
Basil, “Genovese” Ocimum basilicum (65-75 days)– Classic pesto Basil
makes a profusion of deep green, large leaves full of complex flavor
and aroma. Responds well to frequent harvests. Harvest low to
encourage succulent re-growth rather than woody stems.
BA1: packet (1g. ≈400 seeds) $3
Basil, “Cinnamon” (65 days) –Pleasant sweet cinnamon aroma adds
a refreshing twist to summer meals. Purple stems, veins and flowers
with green leaves. A delightful garden companion. 30” tall. SOW
BA2: packet (1g. ≈400 seeds) $3
Calendula, “Pacific Beauty Mix” (85 days) – A cheery array of yellow, orange, pinkish and whitish blooms with plenty of diversity to keep you interested as you harvest juicy blossoms for making medicinal oils and salves that are excellent for soothing burns, sprains, bites and other skin afflictions. Very easy to grow and tends to naturalize if allowed to go to seed. SSF
CD1: packet (5g. ≈ 500 seeds):, $3, Ounce (≈3, 000 seeds): $18
Cilantro, “Criola” Coriandrum sativum (50-55 days for leaf / 100 days for seed) Popular in Mexican and Asian cooking, cilantro brings a refreshing cool flavor to summer dishes. Selected for slow bolting. Allowed to go to seed it will resow itself readily. Edible seed is known as Coriander. HEIRLOOM, SSF
CI1: packet (2g. ≈ 250 seeds) $3
Echinacea purpera – Perennial – This herb is easy to grow as its seeds germinate without stratification (cold-treatment). Vigorous grower can reach 6 feet in flower, with dozens of beautiful pink/purple blossoms arising from a mound of dark green leaves. Flowers usually emerge the second year and thereafter. Aerial parts and roots are used medicinally to support the immune system. SSF
EC1: packet (2g. ≈ 400 seeds) $3
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis – Perennial – A wonderfully fragrant ornamental that also has similar medicinal characteristics to mint. Hyssop is also a favorite nectar source for bumblebees and other native pollinators. Grows to 16-30” tall in flower.
HY1: packet (1/2 g. ≈ 400 seeds) $3
Parsley, “Moss Green Curled” Petroselinum crispum - This selection began as ‘Darki’ from Frank Morton, then we made a selection from a large field at Fry Family Farm, rouging any plants with bottom rot, yellowing or other undesirable characteristics. Fluffy, curly, wavy dark green leaves are produced in an abundant mound16-18” high. Try in pesto! SSF
PS1: packet (1g. ≈ 500 seeds):$3, Ounce (16,000 seeds): $8
Tobacco, “Hopi” Nicotiana rustica – Annual – Large dark green, resinous leaves contain very high levels of nicotine born in a 12-16” rosette. Flowers are subtle lime greenish white with a delicious jasmine-like scent in the evening. Proper curing (like all tobacco) necessary to mellow harshness. Grows to 24” when in flower. HEIRLOOM, SSF
TB1: packet (1/4g. ≈ 300 seeds) $3


GRAINS:

Amaranth, “Golden Giant” Amaranthus cruentus (100 – 110 days) – A late season grain amaranth that produces large orange/gold seed heads on top of 6 foot tall stalks. Edible green leaves with golden brown veins and stalks. Very productive, producing up to 1 pound of seed per plant. Easy to harvest, simply clip the heads and hang to dry. Thresh by stomping on them once dry and winnow to remove chaff. Should be incorporated into our diet as a staple to supplement other grains like rice, or ground into flour to mix into breads and pancakes. SSF
AM1: packet (1,000 seeds) : $3, Ounce (30,000 seeds): $12
Barley, “EZ thresh”- Hordeum vulgare (140 days to dry grain from a February 1st sowing) – nice hulless barley from George Stevens. Most barley has a stubborn hull that clings to the seed. Great stew ingredient that brings a chewy, nutty flavor. SSF
BR1: packet (14g.) $3

Please visit us on the web at www.siskiyouseeds.com

Barley “ Kamamuji” Hordeum vulgare (140 days from early spring sowing, or 270 days from a fall sowing) – The most productive barley for our climate in a trial of 10 varieties. 6-row barley that is different from the 2-row types used for beer malt. Long awns make for a decorative display when in seed. Very easy to grow and thresh by dancing on the dried seed heads, or thresh traditionally with a flail on a solid floor, winnow and then ‘presto’ there you go; genuine food security. Let’s create a ‘One Straw Revolution’! SSF
BR2: packet (14g.) $3
Flax, “Omega”Linum usitatissimum (90 days) Direct sow in spring after it’s warmed up flax is an easy to grow dietary supplement, useful in baking. Very high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Produces a profusion of sky blue flowers on slender 24” stems. Seed matures early in summer. Easy to thresh and winnow. Seed must be ground or sprouted to make nutrition accessible. SSF
FX1: packet (200 seeds): $3, Ounce: $15
Kamut, “Blacktip” Triticum turanicum – ((140 days from early spring sowing, or 270 days from a fall sowing) – A landrace strain of wheat from the Fertile Crescent region. The word “KAMUT” is actually a trademarked marketing name. Probably better described as ‘Khorasan wheat’, it is more digestible by some people with gluten intolerance, probably because it has been selected by farmers for generations for its eating qualities, as opposed to modern wheat varieties that are selected largely for yield. Blacktip produces large (1/2”) kernels that have a richer, nuttier flavor than modern wheats. Can grow to 4-5 feet from a fall sowing, so lodging is a consideration that suggests early spring sowing might be better. Unique in its jet-black awns that are 2-3” long. Very ornamental! Originally obtained from seedsman, George Stevens. SSF
KT1: packet (14g.) $3
Millet, “Foxtail” Setaria italica (100days) – A productive, warm-season grass that yields heavy seed heads with up to an ounce of grain each. Small shiny seeds are the only alkalizing grain commonly eaten. A nice alternative to rice and can be used sparingly as a wheat substitute in baking. Ornamental appeal is nice in dried flower arrangements as well. SSF
MT1: packet (15g.) $3
Quinoa, “Faro” Chenopodium quinoa (100-120 days) – A very easy to grow grain crop related to lambs quarters, beets and spinach. Grows to 4-6 feet tall with an attractive plume shaped seed head that is clipped and dried at summer’s end. Easy to thresh and winnow. Seed must be processed by rinsing with water to remove saponins that coat the seed, otherwise it will taste very bitter. Cook like rice or millet. Staple grain of the Andean peoples. Very productive, 100-foot row can yield 10-20 pounds. SSF
QN1: packet (2g. ≈ 1400 seeds): $3, Ounce (20,000 seeds): $10
Poppy,” Hungarian Breadseed” Papaver somniferum (90 days) – Lemon poppy seed pancakes anyone? Grow your own with this low-opiate strain saved for generations for its abundant seed production. Plants grow to 2-3 feet high with pinkish single petal layer flowers. Sow early (February in Oregon) and will mature in late July. Harvest when pods are dry. SSF
PP1: packet (1/2g.) $3
Safflower, “Orange” Carthamus tinctorius (100 days) – An ancient crop grown for its use as a fiber dye and its nutritious seeds and oil. Cloth dyed with Safflower was found in the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamen in ancient Egypt. It is easy to grow. Direct sow. Grows to 3 feet high and producing 1-5 flowers per plant with 15-20 seeds per head. Matures seed in short season areas. Tolerates drought well. Poultry relish the seed heads that produce abundant sunflower like seeds. As an oil crop, its oil is more healthful than olive oil, being high in oleic / monounsaturated oil. SSF
SA1: packet (3 g. ≈150 seeds): $3, Ounce: $12

Please visit us on the web at www.siskiyouseeds.com

FLOWERS:____________________________________

Amaranth, “Elephant Head” Amaranthus gangeticus (70-80 days) – A plant with character if there ever was one! Easily the most commented on plant on our farm during summer tours. Grows to 2-5 feet tall and produces a large, thick maroon red flower stalk that looks like an upraised elephants trunk. Makes many thousands of high protein, nutritious seeds per plant. It will self-sow readily. SSF
AM2: packet (1/4 g. ≈ 250 seeds) $3
Celosia, Cockscomb, “Kimberly” Celosia cristata (75 days) – A stunning velvety, maroon crested comb-like flower. Looks like a neon pink brain, truly nothing like it. Kimberly selected this for an abundant profusion of long stemmed blossoms which make an excellent addition to bouquets. Holds color well as an everlasting dried flower. SSF
CC1: packet (1/4g. ≈250 seeds) $3
Castor Bean, “Carmencita Red” Ricinus communis (85 days) – A tropical looking, fast growing (to 5’) annual with wine red foliage, stems and seed pods. Very exotic looking. Large seedpod spikes make an unusual, yet appealing accent in bouquets. WARNING: seeds are poisonous and contact with foliage does not agree with some peoples skin. SSF
CB1: packet (10 seeds) $3
Coreopsis, “Calliopsis” Coreopsis tinctoria (80 days) A Midwest native annual wildflower also known as ‘Plains Coreopsis’ that makes a wonderful showy border plant. Grows to a 30” high bush covered with hundreds of maroon and gold 1½” blooms. SSF
CI1: Packet (1/4g. ≈ 250 seeds) $3
Cosmos, “Seashells Mix” Cosmos bipinnatus (85 days) – Unique display of pink, white and maroon flowers with tubular petals, that as serve as great fingertip décor for younger gardeners. Grows to 4-foot high bush. Flowers average 2-3” across. SSF
CS1: packet (1g. ≈ 140 seeds) $3
Cosmos, “Sunrise” Cosmos sulphureus (75 days) – A great border plant that grows to a large 4-6’ bush with hundreds of 2” yellow and orange blossoms. Even just one plant really brightens up the landscape. Self seeds readily. SSF
CS2: packet (1g. ≈ 140 seeds) $3
Daisy, “Zulu Prince” Venidium fastuosum (90 days) – Dramatic large (2-3”) flowers with a jet black center, white petals with rings of orange and purple in the center grow from a grayish green mound of hairy leaves. Amazing addition to bouquets. Thrives in heat and drought. Easy to grow. Best grown from transplants. SSF
ZU1: packet (1/2g. ≈ 250 seeds) $3
“Love Lies Bleeding” Amaranthus caudatus (65 days) Tall growing (4-5’) annual with a magnificent display of pendulous plumes of maroon rope-like flowers. Very ornamental and suitable for bouquets. Edible leaves are a nutritious addition to salads. SOW
LL1: packet (1/4g. ≈250 seeds) $3
Safflower, “Orange” – see description under GRAINS heading
Marigold, “African Giant” Tagates erecta (70-90 days) Large 3 to 4 foot tall plants produce prodigious quantities of big, 3” blooms that can really fill out bouquets. A colorful living hedge! String up the flower heads and dry them for amazing homegrown leis and ceremonial offerings. SSF
MG1: packet (1/2 g) $3
Marigold, “Cracker Jack” Tagates erecta (90 days) – An early blooming mix of yellow and gold blossoms on strong, 3 foot tall plants. Flowers are a robust and fluffy fully double type. SOW
MG2: packet (1/2g) $3
Please visit us on the web at www.siskiyouseeds.com
Marigold, “Frances’ Choice” Tagates patula (70-80 days) Bred by Alan Kapular and named for horticulturalist Frances Hoffman. Tall growing (4-5’) plants make a lovely hedge festooned with hundreds of red-petaled flowers fringed with gold. Long stems lend themselves to use as a cut flower. OOO, SOW
MG3: packet (1/2 g) $3
Marigold, “La Ribera” Tagates patula (80 days) – Collected from Alan Mushroom Kapular form one plant in La Ribera, Baja, Mexico. Big 3-5 foot bushes produce double 2-4” orange flowers. Dry beautifully. SOW
MG4: packet (1/2g) $3
Marigold, “Sparkler” Tagates patula (85 days) – Large (2-3”) flowers on a robust 3-4 foot plant are maroon red accented with orange. Another Alan Kapular origional. Marigolds are excellent garden allies delighting our senses while repelling many garden pests. OOO, LKF
MG5: packet (1/2g.) $3
Marigold, “Tashkent” Tagates patula (100 days) – 2-3 foot plants produce a tantalizing display of maroon single petal layer flowers skirted with frilly orange edges and bright yellow centers. Very long bloom period goes from July until late October here. SSF
MG6: packet (1/2g.) $3
Sunflower, “Amber Eye” Helianthus annuus (80-100 day) – A polyheaded beauty that grows to 10’ with abundant blooms that are a mix of golden blooms with an amber “eye” in the center” Easy to grow cut flower, wildlife food and joyful expression of creation! SOW
SF1: packet (5g. ≈ 100 seeds) $3
Sunflower, “Tarahumara” Helianthus annuus (90-100 days) – A traditional variety developed by the Tarhumara people of Northern Mexico. Tall (7-11’) plants produce a single large (up to 24” across) solid golden flower with pure white seeds. Seeds are large, plump and delicious. HEIRLOOM, SSF
SF2: packet (5g. ≈ 100 seeds) $3
Sunflower, “Tiger Teddy” Helianthus annuus (90 days) A fantastic blending of ‘Tiger’s Eye’ bicolor and ‘Teddy Bear’ genetics. Colors are bronze, maroon, red, gold and yellow with mostly double-petaled flowers with single outer layers, with an occasional fully double individual. Outrageous cut flower. SSF
SF3: packet (5g. ≈ 100 seeds) $3
Tithonia, “Torch” Tithonia rotundifolia (80-100 days) – Also know as ‘Mexican Sunflower’, this beauty produces many brilliant orange 3” blooms on a multi-branched 6-8’ tall plant. Unique, velvety soft leaves and stems help make this a great border plant. Blooms late into the fall for late-season color and nectar production for insects. SSF
TT1: packet (2g. ≈100 seeds) $3
Zinnia, “Chromasomia Mix” Zinnia elegans (70 days) A mixture of all the classic shades and shapes you know and love about Zinnia’s
Plus some new twists like orange with
Purple edges and red with purple margins.
Superb cut flower has along vase life. SSF
ZN1: packet (2g ≈ 100 seeds) $3
Zinnia, “Purple Dahlia” Zinnia elegans
(70-80 days) – This charming garden
Companion grows to 3-5’ with a brilliant
Bright magenta/fuchsia color in single and
Double blooms. SSF
ZN2: packet (2g ≈ 100 seeds) $3



• ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS •

You can order from us in two ways:

MAIL: Please fill out the order form with the variety codes ( such as SP1, or ZN3) or names and quantities desired, tear it out, or copy it and mail it along with a check or Money Order for the total amount plus shipping to our address at the bottom of the form.

WEB: Our website is www.siskiyouseeds.com or www.sevenseedsfarm.com where we have a complete shopping cart format site. The site is updated regularly to reflect shifts in our inventory or new additions. Complete growing instructions are also available there.

SEED RACKS: If you are in southern Oregon please visit our seed racks at the Ashland Food Co-op or the Williams General Store.

PLEASE NOTE: At this point we cannot accept orders by FAX or phone. However, if you have a question about an order or if something is in stock feel free to call us at (541)846-9233
Or email at don@siskiyouseeds.com

GUARANTEE: We personally test all of our seeds for germination rate (typically far exceeding the Federal Minimum Germination Standards) and vigor and are confident that they will perform well for you. However, in the event that you are not satisfied, we will gladly replace either the seeds or refund their purchase price.

Siskiyou Seeds Order Form 2010
Name:____________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Phone: (_____)_______________________________________________
Email:______________________________________________________
Qty. Item Code (BE6, CO3,etc)
& Variety Description Unit Size Price Subtotal
























Shipping & Handling Fees: Subtotal =
Order Total= $0 to $15 add $3.00
$15 to $50 add $6.00 Shipping =
$50 to $100 add $8.00
Over $100 add $10.00 Total =
* Mail this form along with a Check or Money Order to:

Siskiyou Seeds
3220 East Fork Rd.
Williams, OR 97544


Thank you!

Introducing the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative:

As people begin to raise questions about local food security and desire to support ecological farms that ensure this, I’d like to raise a voice from the wilderness about local seed systems and their role in helping to foster ecological farming. Our current system for supplying seed to the organic community has largely ignored the important role of bioregional and on-farm seed production. The vast majority of the seed used in organic farming systems is not grown organically. At best, organic seed is used but usually the germplasm was obtained from conventional sources and grown organically for one season to multiply it sufficiently for a commercial offering. There has been a recent proliferation of organic F1 hybrids being supplied by the large, multi-national seed houses. Consider that some of the inbred parent lines used to produce organic hybrid sweet corn are licensed from Syngenta and Monsanto. The farmers who grow this organic hybrid sweet corn are barred from testing the parent lines for GMOs by contractual agreement. Increasingly, much of the seed offered in numerous seed catalogs is being produced in China under conventional management. I suppose we get what we pay for.

However, I feel that many farmers are asking for something that is not being supplied by the seed industry. A loose network of plant breeders, seed growers and small independent seed companies is tending a new paradigm of whole system seed. Recently I was fortunate to be among a group of 11 farmers from 5 western states who founded the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative to help this initiative move forward. Founding members from Oregon include Maud Powell (Wolf Gulch Farm) and Don Tipping (Seven Seeds Farm) of SW Oregon and Frank Morton (Wild Garden Seeds) of Philomath, Oregon. The concept of whole systems seed growing is to select for and breed varieties that perform under organic/biodynamic management. I believe that seeds will do well when grown in conditions similar to that of their predecessors. Considerate organic plant breeding and selection can produce open pollinated varieties, which are capable of out performing hybrid varieties. If we can as a community support creating organic seed systems we help organic farmers to be more successful through access to better genetics. Specifically we can select plants that posses characteristics such as the following:
• Seedling vigor
• Good nutrient foraging ability under low fertility inputs
• Horizontal Disease resistance
• Insect resistance/tolerance
• Adaptability to climatic stress – heat, cold, wind
• Nutrition and color
• Agronomic considerations – yield, ease of harvest

Our hopes is that the Family Farmer’s Seed Cooperative will give seed growers a voice to articulate what is possible through classical plant breeding. We will also highlight the fruits of participatory plant breeding relationships which pairs trained plant breeders with trained farmers. 2009 represents a year to assess the germplasm that we collectively steward through on-farm trialing, business development and equipment procurement. We are developing regional seed production hubs where we can pool resources to share seed harvesting and processing equipment and knowledge. If all goes well, by 2010 we hope to have a modest offering of seed for sale, with our goal being quality, unique varieties that will perform well in organic vegetable systems. Soon we will have a web site to demonstrate our work and eventually organize sales of seeds.

The ethics of organic farming implores us to do this work of stewarding the vessel of the seed. I intentionally use the term “vessel” because I recognize that a seed caries the story of all of its mitochondrial DNA. It is indeed a ship, which tells of a long journey from wild plant, to land race to productive food plant. When we buy a seed, rarely do we hear this story. When another grower shares the seed, we begin to learn of its tale. If we, ourselves actually grow the seed then we are part of the tale itself. Helping to adapt varieties of plants to our environment is the ecological alternative to adapting our environment to the plants. Domestication is a process, not an end point. As growers, we involve ourselves directly with this process becoming more intimate with the wondrous diversity at the heart of nature.

Stay tuned at the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative website or call toll free at (866)866-2001

Thursday, January 28, 2010

2010 CLASSES AT SEVEN SEEDS FARM

ORGANIC ORCHARD CARE, FEBRUARY 13, SATURDAY 1-4PM
Come and glean from nuggets of wisdom that we have leaned from over a decade of growing tree fruits, and berries organically in the Siskiyous. Topics to be covered will include pruning, mulching, fertility, pest and disease maintenance, and variety selection, planning and planting. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, next best is today!
GROWING FOOD FORESTS, MARCH 13, SATURDAY, 1-4 PM
Learn how to design and care for abundant perennial landscapes with many integrated elements. At the center of North American Permaculture lays deeply rooted forest gardens that include trees, shrubs, herbs and vines that produce nuts, fruits, medicine, fodder, nectar, fertility, shade and habitat. $25

PERMACULTURE HOMESTEAD TOUR, APRIL 3, SAT. 1-4PM
A Permaculture Approach to sustainable human settlement. Here at Seven Seeds Farm we have converted a dilapidated turn of the century (1900) homestead into a thriving passive solar home based family farm. This practical outdoor class will inspire ideas for your own home space. Topics include: pattern observation, assessment tools, retrofitting, creative resource location, infrastructure development, dancing with the elements, water catchment, growing soil, food crops, animals and food forests. $25

SEED SAVING, APRIL 17, SATURDAY, 1-4PM
How to plan for, plant, care for and harvest seed crops. Fresh, homegrown seed can perform significantly better than store-bought conventionally grown seed that is often many years old. Special emphasis will be given to understanding the basics of variety improvement through selection and basic plant breeding. Also covered, basic botany, basic genetics, isolation distances, pollination, seed life, vigor and germination and more. Help your garden adapt to climate change the old fashioned way – good genetics! $25

HOMEGROWN FOOD YEAR-ROUND, MAY 22, SATURDAY 1-4PM
In the Siskiyous, it takes experience, careful planning and good storage conditions to be eating from the garden year round. This timely class will emphasize growing winter foods and storage crops often overlooked by the more casual gardener. The best health insurance money can’t buy is eating healthy fresh food! $25

FARMER, DON TIPPING WILL BE THE INSTRUCTOR FOR ALL CLASSES. ALL CLASSES ARE ON SATURDAYS, FROM 1- 4PM AND COST $25 PER PERSON. LAST YEAR ALL CLASSES FILLED QUICKLY, SO PLEASE PREREGISTER ASAP. CALL 846-9233 OR EMAIL AT SEVENSEEDSFARM@YAHOO.COM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

ALSO:
ANNOUNCING SISKIYOU SEEDS! – A BIOREGIONAL SEED BANK FOR THE PACIFIC NW WITH OVER 200 OPEN POLLINATED, ORGANIC VARIETIES. WEBSITE UP SOON AT
WWW.SISKIYOUSEEDS.COM
EMAIL FOR CATALOG AT @ sevenseedsfarm@yahoo.com

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Siskiyou Seeds Vision

Siskiyou Seed is a bioregional seed bank and seed source for gardeners and small farmers. Our vision is to serve as a hub to connect seed growers, gardeners and farmers in a mutually beneficial relationship to support small-scale agriculture in Southern Oregon. We grow and distribute certified organic, open pollinated seeds through seed racks, a catalog and the Internet / mail order. Our goal is to produce most of the seed on our farm and field we manage in Southern Oregon’s Applegate valley. We also work with local organic seed growers to round out a diverse offering. Varieties that are not successful seed crops here (due to climate or cross-pollination issues, such as Spinach or Carrots) are sourced from outstanding, organic growers in the Pacific Northwest.

We have arrived at this point after 14 years of growing certified organic seed for many national scale mail order seed companies, which we continue to do. After SOW Organic Seeds closed shop in 2007 after the untimely death of pioneering seedsman, Alan Vanet we recognized that our bioregion was left lacking a cohesive seed bank. Although we are blessed with abundant summer sun here in the “banana belt of southern Oregon”, the Siskiyous can be a challenging place to garden with our winter rainforest, summer desert climate of harsh extremes. Uniquely situated to serve our local community we recognized an opportunity to try and fill this important niche and will be offering our seeds nationally through our web site , and a catalog, both of which will be available after 2/1/10.

There is tremendous opportunity for the renaissance of the bioregional seedsman/woman to select and breed varieties for organic agriculture. I am committed to the notion that well-selected, open-pollinated seeds can outperform commercially available hybrids. Through focusing on this crucial work, we can cooperate with gardeners and farmers to address the agronomic challenges that we will all face as climate change shifts microclimates in North America. Population breeding with special attention to horizontal resistance will hopefully alleviate the hardships growers experience with plant diseases, pests and climatic stress.

Careful attention to plant selection for seed saving can contribute to the improvement of important traits such as disease resistance, pest tolerance, climate adaptation, flavor and nutrition. Domestication is not an endpoint. Rather it is a relationship that is ongoing and can go in different directions. We are much more concerned with breeding plants that will foster healthy food for people, rather than traits such as ship-ability and shelf life. When we consider the concept of “food security” I find it logical that “seed security” should receive equal attention especially considering the threats of genetic engineering and the corporate consolidation of the seed industry. Bioregional seed banks and distribution networks will emerge as one of the more important stores of wealth in the future. Anyone want to buy futures in seeds? Let’s get planting!


Stay tuned for more developments and please check out our pending web site at www.siskiyouseeds.com to follow the seed saga and get your hands on some fresh seed! Peace to you and yours.