Baker Creek Heirloom seed catalog is amazing

Trust me. This is the shinniest, glossiest seed catalog it's ever been my pleasure to look at. Baker Creek has been around for 12 years and is located in Missouri as well as having a Petaluma, California stores. They handle only open pollinated seed and promote the pure food movement by educating their customers about the dangers of GMO and corporate patented and owned seeds.

The Gettles who run Baker seed say their business is growing very fast so that it is hard to keep up with demand. Many homeowners are starting gardens for the first time, spurring on by the current recession and in rebellion against the limited and controlled offerings of fruit and vegetables in the supermarkets. What I like about this attitude is that gardeners are encouraged to save their own seed which can be done with open pollinated varieties but can't be done with hybrids. Michael Pollen is involved in this movement and will be signing his book, The Omnivore's Dilemna" at the Baker Creek seed bank in Petaluma.

But the catalog itself is something to behold. There are huge life size photos of every variety of vegetable. They have gone all out to make your eyes light up and the mouth water. Included in the catalog are some asian and tropical fruits, an amazing variety of lettuces and melons. African wild melons are included which I have never seen before anywhere if you're into stunning your friends and neighbors. There are full page spreads of peppers life size and gorgeous. Strange items like Red Roselle are listed along with rutabagas. The cranberry flavored Roselle is used for making jellies and drinks. There are squash varieties we've never seen and of course, page after page of purple, red, orange, green, yellow and stripped tomatoes.

This catalog is worth checking out for the pictures and layout alone, even if you are not a died in the wool pure food person. Great fun.

At Baker Creek

March 29, 2010

Baker Creek Heirloom seed catalog is amazing