| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DearMildred |
Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 2:06:54 PM
I saw a whole rack of "Heirloom" variety seed packets for sale at the hardware store.
I really want to support saving heirloom varieties of vegetables and am very anti-Frankenfood/GMO.
Are these "Heirlooms" worth purchasing? Are they the same as the open-pollinated stuff you can buy online from Baker Creek and Seed Savers' Exchange?
My gut tells me it's no different than buying from Burpee, but the lure of low prices and instant gratification is great...
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 10:28:31 AM
**blushing**
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| farmmommy |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 08:36:49 AM
Karen is sooooo right about the DOE!!! Karen, you are just SOOOOOOO good with words....Seems like I used to be, but now that 99 percent of my time spent with words is with a 2 YO and A 3 YO, I'm not to UP on adult words like I used to be....LOL!!! |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 18 2009 : 06:45:25 AM
Hey, Amanda ~
You are on target. The henhouse is set up to help keep us organized. Anyone can post out there and we all check in pretty frequently. But the DOE is our lifeline. We talk seeds, gardening, fabrics, life issues, you name it. It being the start of gardening season and all, the talk is turning to garden-related topics quite a bit again and the activity level has ramped back up. During the holidays things slowed down as other parts of our lives took priority.
The newsletter, The Mavens Haven, was started about a month after the DOE thread was started for the purpose of keeping everyone up to date. As much as we'd all love to be hanging around on the connection all day, that just isn't realistic. For those who can only check in every few days or once a week, keeping up on the DOE was hard (to say the least). So when time is limited, a quick read of the newsletter and check of the recent posts in the henhouse covers the bases pretty well.
Having said all that (again, brevity is not my strong suit), the DOE is where friendships are formed and hearts are tied together. And it's fun! 
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| DearMildred |
Posted - Feb 17 2009 : 7:57:10 PM
Kris there's somebody you're supposed to email to ask them to add you to the Mavens henhouse so that you can post there and not just read. Though in my limited experience it seems like we spend more time on the DOE thread. Karen do you have the scoop on that?
I'm thinking you can probably save a TON of seeds from the heirlooms you do have, and if you start hanging out with the seed swapping addicts you'll end up with even more. I wasn't planning on swapping anything till next year (since this is my first year growing from seed) and here I've already got three swaps going.
It's not a habit. I can quit any time I want to. *twitch* *twitch*
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 17 2009 : 4:43:17 PM
Thanks, Karen. I just got my Johnney's Seed catalog and I saw that the beets I always order are an heirloom variety! Yeah! I did not ever notice that before all this. They are Bull's Blood beets. They are so good and a deep dark red. I love them and sold alot at the market the past few years. So I had some heirloom and didn't even know it.
I will look through it some more tomorrow.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 17 2009 : 12:13:54 PM
Hi, Kristin, and welcome to the mavens! The $20 is the basic sisterhood membership fee. There's no additional fee for the mavens. We throw that in because we don't want anyone to be left out because they can't afford the basic membership fee. We have a henhouse but that's part of who we are - not all of who we are. It just helps us be more organized.
Marcella, I'll have to see if I can get a hardcopy of "The World According to Monsanto." We have dial-up here so YouTube isn't an option. I'm always anxious to get my hands on any ammunition I can use to topple that giant. It makes me nauseous that the HQ is practically in my backyard.
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 17 2009 : 07:17:09 AM
Amy Grace, I did just join the HM but now I'm confused again. The $20 ya'll talk about, is that on top of the MJ farmgirl membership? I did already pay that. And now am I a member of the henhouse? I am slow, I know. But will eventually catch on to all this.
Thanks for your help. Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| seattlefarmer |
Posted - Feb 16 2009 : 10:00:01 AM
i just bought "The World According to Monsanto" on ebay for $2.90, free shipping. it's on You Tube as well, links:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=140300341005&Category=617&_trksid=p3907.m29&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swVjzIVqRUA
let's do what we can to stop these guys from cornering the market on seeds! |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 16 2009 : 07:42:57 AM
Kristin - Kelley is absolutely right. We love new members, that's what is all about, changing the world one farmgirl or maven at a time. I know it is super intimidating because we are up to something like 299 pages right now but in the MJ's Mavens henhouse there is a beginners guide that gives you the lowdown. We post there but also on the DOE thread because not all the mavens are MJF sisters - we know that the $20 is hard sometimes and don't want people to be excluded. So, the Henhouse is a good source for info but if you want to join the conversation please jump in at the DOE.
We would love to have you and if you have any questions feel free to e-mail.
Oh - and none of us are experts - we are learning together as we go and lending each other moral support as we do!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Heirloom Mavens Badge Badger |
| farmmommy |
Posted - Feb 16 2009 : 06:03:33 AM
Hey Kristin, I don't think you'd be behind if you came over to the DOE....I kinda felt like I would, too, so I just "lurked" around over there for a few weeks reading everything, and then my passion for the actual cause and purpose for the heirloom mavens was sooooo exactly true to my passion,(if that makes sense) that I couldn't keep away any longer!! so I just jumped right in and introduced myself, and the rest is history!! I think we are all still learning, and will continue to learn about Heirlooms, seed saving and organics, but it sooooo helps to do it in a group like the mavens, because Everyone contributes pieces of info! that is what is so cool about it.....as far as your situation goes, I can totally understand! Farmgirls will always be here to help you out....go on over and introduce yourself!!! I have some heirloom branywine tomatoe seeds I can send to you, and some heirloom moon and stars watermelon seeds i can send if you are interested in them!!! Just let me know, and like i said....come on over to the DOE!!! we'd love to have you!!! talk to you soon! Kelley |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 15 2009 : 7:11:03 PM
Hello ya'll. I just read all these posts and I have been to the DOE thread a little looking it over from time to time. But there is so much going on over there, I'm afraid I would be so far behind and not know where to start.
I have close to an acre of gardens. I sell at our local farmer's market and to several people at church. I would love to have all heirloom but I have a lot to plant. I would have to spend a fortune to buy all hairloom seeds and then charge way more than folks around here could afford or would pay. They'd think I was crazy even after explaining why.
So what do people like me do? Do we just start out small and start saving seed til we don't have to buy seeds anymore? And right now with my husband on sick leave for who knows how much longer, things are really tight right now. I know we should have prepared for such a time as this, but didn't. I really don't know how I'll get all the things I need right now anyway. I know it will happen and I do have some seeds from last year.
So I have just been wondering about all this heirloom seed business. I did order the Baker Creek catalog and I do order from Johnney's, too. Mostly organic. I don't use any chemicals at all. Only my own animal's manure and use soapy water to spray bugs. Or pick them off.
But I love gardening and all things about it. I would love to eventually be all heirloom one day. I guess it just takes awhile.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| Gaelic Gardener |
Posted - Feb 15 2009 : 3:30:14 PM
Thanks Amanda, both are on the list!
--Kelly
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,
or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
Abraham Lincoln |
| DearMildred |
Posted - Feb 15 2009 : 2:53:38 PM
TS, I got my Botanical Interests seeds today! YEAH!!!
Just can't wait to get started.
Kelly I have no idea about those seed companies but here's the link to the companies that have signed the Safe Seeds Pledge:
http://www.gene-watch.org/programs/safeseed/sourcebook.html
These are the only companies I would buy from.
I like Baker Creek, Renee's Garden, and Botanical Interests. If you have Ferry Morse seeds at your local hardware store I know they're on the list too and they seem to have nice stuff.
Today I think I talked a woman at Lowe's into putting the Burpee seeds DOWN and trying the Ferry Morse.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Feb 14 2009 : 5:33:45 PM
I got my Baker Creek seeds today, woohoo!!!
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 3
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| Gaelic Gardener |
Posted - Feb 14 2009 : 2:05:40 PM
I just got catalogs from Select Seeds and Terroir Seeds -- anyone buy from them? caveats? compliments? complaints?
I was thinking about Heirloom gardening this morning when I bit into the blueberries I put in my cereal. Ya, they were only $2 a pint -- but they didn't taste like blueberries! They just kind of tasted like water with skin. Bleh. We've bred all the taste out of our produce in favor of fast and cheap results.
slainte,
Kelly |
| DearMildred |
Posted - Feb 12 2009 : 8:42:29 PM
I do love that quote, it's SO true! Thanks for re-sharing!
And I am excited by the growing resurgence of popularity when it comes to heirloom varieties... but I don't want to see the whole thing turn into a fad or a marketing ploy by the Bad Seed Corporations - the way you can buy "green" and "organic" everything today at mega stores from mega corporations and so much of it is just hype! Meanwhile the mega-ag lobbyists are working nonstop to weaken our standards! Frustrating! Should I be glad that they're raising awareness by whatever means for whatever motives (i.e. corporate profit, plain and simple)? Or dismayed at turning something so vitally important into a passing phase?
This line of thought is what popped into my head when I saw the seeds marketed as Heirlooms! at the hardware store... uh-oh, is this good or bad? I hope it's good! Gotta find out!
Was very glad to see that Ferry-Morse had signed the Safe Seeds pledge though I don't know how much that actually means to the companies' operations.
I truly hope that our desire for something real, something authentic, in this crazy modern life leads us to make lasting changes.
Ok, off soapbox now!
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 12 2009 : 7:31:17 PM
Kelley (farmmommy) shared this on another post. It's another great perspective on the importance of saving heirloom seeds. The quote is from the Path to Freedom website and I included the link to the quote below.
"Anytime I think about heirloom ANYTHING, I think about genetic diversity (of course). There are all these genes in a plant, and some you like and some you don't and some you have no idea what they do because they are "quietly" important. Important in ways we don't know. If we let some herbs "fall out of favor" and push them to the side or even go EXTINCT, we are losing something that we can't find again and LATER it might be important, medicinally, for drought tolerance, for pest tolerance, etc. It's like fighting to save the world's endangered species, only it's not species, it's GENES and we can't even describe them yet so that makes it even harder." > Jennifer Heer, Genetic Research Assistant North Carolina State University
http://pathtofreedom.com/resources/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=66
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| cheryl sisk |
Posted - Feb 12 2009 : 5:42:14 PM
Karen thanks for the info i have read a lot about monsanto and the bad thinks they are doing to seed i have been reading a lot about heirloom i what to make my veg garden as much heirloom as i can it seam like nothing is safe anymore |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 3:31:41 PM
Yay!! Seed buying
Amanda - that happens with the posting in the Mavens all the time, we are all about 13 steps ahead of the computer!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Heirloom Mavens Badge Badger |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 3:14:27 PM
Amanda, I wondered where you went today. Now I know - you were supporting the cause!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| DearMildred |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 2:38:11 PM
Amy Grace, well, my resolve only goes so far, 'cause I just spent ALL my seed money at Botanical Interests and Baker Creek. Whew!
That last post was about the Shade mix you mentioned earlier, but by the time I hit "post" after getting distracted by online shopping a whole bunch of other things were posted so it didn't really make much sense.
So Sher, I think I did ok putting my money (too much of it) where my mouth is.
Can't wait to get to know the Mavens too.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
| DearMildred |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 12:26:30 PM
Those look great! I've never planted a mix like that, so it would be interesting to see what happens.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:50:22 AM
Hey Sher - welcome from an almost-neighbor:)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:46:06 AM
Hey, Sher, after your dishes are done (I'll be joining you after this post - should be there already but, ya know.....) come over to the DOE thread (Danger of Extinction) and join in the maven conversation. You've got the heart and spunk, girl! http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=1
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words)
Farmgirl Sister #311
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
| rooted_rover |
Posted - Feb 11 2009 : 10:35:04 AM
Just found this thread and wanted to add my Booooo to Monsanto! They don't know who they're up against with so many heirloom mavens :) and the conviction to put seeds back on the shelf...WOW! Awesome. It's all the little choices we make each day that can make the world a better place eh? With that, I'd better stop dreaming of seeds and spring and go make my world a better place with some clean dishes.... Sher |
