http://www.care2.com/greenliving/heirloom-seeds-green-thumb.html
How to Get a Truly Green Thumb: Heirloom Seeds, Sources, Starting Mix
By Annie B. Bond, Care2 Green Living Executive Producer
When you buy your seeds this winter, consider heirloom and native species! Seed biodiversity depends on backyard gardeners like you. Here is why this matters, some of the best do-it-yourself seed starting mixes, a seed glossary, and six heirloom seed catalog recommendations.
Why it Matters to Buy Heirloom Seeds – Plus About Seed-Saving
The loss of genetic seed diversity facing us today may lead to a catastrophe far beyond our imagining.
Take the Seed Savvy Quiz and see how your knowledge stacks up!
Heirloom Seeds – More What and Why?
Vegetable varieties which predate the current seed production and food distribution systems we have in this country are called heirlooms.
When to Start Seedlings
Most gardeners start seedlings too soon. Do you?
Seeds of Life – Seed Glossary
Humans today rely upon just 20 varieties of plants for 90 percent of their food.
Simple Egg-shell Pots for Sprouting Seeds
Here is an imaginative idea for handy seed-starters that makes a pretty decoration: you don’t need to buy trays or pots to start your seeds when you can use eggshells instead!
About Treated Seeds
Some methods of seed treatment are known to be hazardous to the health of the people who use and manufacture them.
Amy Goldman’s Favorite Squashes
Seed Starting Mix - One
4 parts peat
2 parts perlite
2 parts vermiculite
Seed Starting Mix - Two
1/3 Potting Soil
1/3 Sand
1/3 Garden soil (needs to be well tilled)
Mix all 3 parts together very well
Seed Starting Mix - Three
Just peat
RESOURCES
Rare Seed Catalog (Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)
Seed Savers
Seeds Trust
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add your comment »Hi from down under. We are nearing the end of summer and have had severe drought for the last couple of years and have heavy water restrictions. I've grown all my vegies this year using heirloom seeds. Despite limited water and extremely hot days my vegies are flourishing while others who have used newer seed varieties are having crop failures so I highly recommend using heirloom seeds. They also taste so much better than anythin I have grown before. Cynthia from South Australia
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Hi from down under. We are nearing the end of summer and have had severe drought for the last couple of years and have heavy water restrictions. I've grown all my vegies this year using heirloom seeds. Despite limited water and extremely hot days my vegies are flourishing while others who have used newer seed varieties are having crop failures so I highly recommend using heirloom seeds. They also taste so much better than anythin I have grown before. Cynthia from South Australia
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G'Day from down under. As someone who for many years has both grown heirloom plants and collected seed I would like to congratulate you on this article. My starting mix though, consists of three parts (either vermiculite or perlite) and one part reconstituted coconut fibre which helps with the dwindling supplies of peat from around the world. Coconut Fibre is sold in a block which can be reconstituted by placing it in water. I do add a mild (diluted 1/2 strength) liquid fertilizer (seaweed solution) mix to the water which, the coconut absorbs, to help the plants to establish a stronger root system in my opinion. I hope that this helps...Happy Gardening. LesB
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HI. This fits with my plan this year to plant only heirloom seeds for my vegetable garden. Thank you very much for the information that is always so timely and so well planned on your web page.
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