Our February 2013 seed order has finally been placed.
Three plots are scheduled for planting in February:
Plot 1D will be companion planted with Cabbage and Onion (1/2 of the plot will be in cabbage and 1/2 in onion);
Plot 1B will be companion planted with Lettuce and Radish (1/2 of the plot will be in lettuce and 1/2 in radish);
Plot 2C will be companion planted with Carrots and Tomatoes (1/2 of the plot will be in carrots, which will be direct seeded in February, and 1/2 of the plot will be in tomatoes, which are scheduled to be transplanted in April);
Plot 3A will be planted in Peppers, with three varieties of peppers being planted (these will be transplanted into the plot in April).
Seeds Ordered
Golden Acre Cabbage: 28g of Golden Acre Cabbage seed has been ordered (approximately 8,400 seeds). This variety of cabbage produces small, 5-7", 3-4 pound heads. It is one of the fastest to mature and is resistant to cabbage yellows. Heads can be planted closer together than larger, later varieties. This variety does not store for long. Approximately 62 days to maturity.
White Icicle (Lady Finger) Radish: 1.036kg of White Icicle Radish seed has been ordered (approximately 88,800 seeds). This is a pre-1865 variety that is a mild-flavored, white variety with carrot-shaped roots up to 4-5" long. Stands up to heat well. This radish is best harvested when small but remains milder than other varieties when harvested large. Approximately 29 days to maturity.
Doe Hill Golden Bell Pepper (Frying): 5g of Doe Hill Golden Bell Pepper seed has been ordered (approximately 600 seeds). This is a pre-1900 variety fro the Doe Hill area in Highland County, VA. It produces 4 - 6 lobed bright orange, flat shaped bells, 2.25" high and 1" wide. The 24" plants are high yielding, are widely adapted, and disease resistant. The flavor is sweet with a fruity, multidimensional quality. It is a nice salad pepper for adding color, zip, and extra vitamin C to early summer salads.
Ashe County Pimento Pepper (Sweet): 5g of Ashe County Pimento Pepper seed has been ordered (approximately 600 seeds). This pepper is one of the few peppers that reliably produces well in the short Smoky Mountain growing season (150 days or less). An incredibly sweet, bright red, thick fleshed pimento pepper, 4" X 1.5". Great raw, as well as for cooking. Approximately 70 days to maturity.
Cayenne, Long Red Pepper (Hot): 6g of Cayenne, Long Red Pepper seed has been ordered (approximately 720 seeds). This is a choice, fiery-red hot seasoning pepper. Use fresh or dried, especially in salsa or chili. Pendant fruits are 3/4" wide by 5" to 6" long. Approximately 72 days to maturity.
Arkansas Traveler Tomato: 1.5g of Arkansas Traveler Tomato seed has been ordered (approximately 375 seeds). This is a pre-1900 heirloom grown throughout the South from northwest Arkansas to North Carolina. This variety is an old Southern heirloom much esteemed for its ability to produce flavorful tomatoes under conditions of drought and high heat where many other varieties fail. Medium-sized fruits are pink, and of wonderful flavor, and keep well. Approximately 89 days to maturity. Indeterminate.
Cherokee Purple Tomato: 1.5g of Cherokee Purple Tomato seed has been ordered (approximately 375 seeds). This is a pre-1890 Tennessee heirloom, reportedly of Cherokee Indian origin and produces large, smooth fruits (10-12 oz) with slightly ridged shoulders. Ripens to a unique dark, dusky pink/purple. Sometimes called a black tomato, the color carries through to the flesh, especially at the stem end. Good resistance to Septoria leaf spot. A shorter indeterminate, plants average 5' tall. 'Cherokee Purple' has spread widely since its introduction, with variations developing over time, however, this seed is reported to be still the original, shorter shape. Approximately 85 days to maturity. Indeterminate.
Deer Tongue (Matchless) Lettuce (Looseleaf): 14g of Deer Tongue Lettuce has been ordered (approximately 5,600 seeds). This variety is upright and has loose heads with excellent sweet flavor and crisp texture. Slightly savoyed, triangular, round-tipped leaves with a succulent, mid-rib. Moderate bolt resistance. Approximately 54 days to maturity.
Texas Early Grano Onion (Dry Bulb): 105g of Texas Early Grano Onion seed has been ordered (approximately 24,500 seeds). This is a 1933 Texas heirloom, "The Mother of All Sweet Onions". This Vidalia-type onion is a good choice for the Mid-Atlantic and the South. Best started in the fall or winter and transplanted in early spring. Large top-shaped bulbs, thin skin, soft white flesh, with sweet mild flavor. Good resistance to splitting. Short day variety and a short keeper.
Danvers Carrot: 1/4 lb of Danvers Carrot seed has been ordered (approximately 49,187 seeds). This variety is a biennial heirloom. The Danvers Carrot is a vigorous, red-orange carrot, 7"-8" long, with slightly tapered, broad shoulders. It is heat tolerant and performs consistently in many types of soils. Danvers' strong top makes it easy to pull from the ground. A good keeper. Approximately 70 days to maturity.
Vendors
Baker Heritage Farms is committed to growing only Certified Organic Heirloom crops, and, as such, we spent a great deal of time and effort ensuring that all of our seed meets both Certified Organic and Heirloom standards. These standards required us to alter our initial desire to plant only those heirloom seeds indigenous to the southern region. Our goal is to research available seed and make our decisions first on regional qualities, second on heirloom qualities, and third on organic qualities. All of our February 2013 seeds meet both Certified Organic and Heirloom standards, though may fall short of our desire for meeting those indigenous to the south.
With the exception of the Danvers Carrot seed, all seed was purchased through the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (www.southernexposure.com). The Danvers Carrot seed was sold out at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (though they may have it in stock now) so this seed was ordered through Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply (www.groworganic.com). While we would like to stay with one vendor as much as possible, there will be times that we will have to use multiple vendors. In the case of the Danvers Carrot seed, we were able to obtain the seed through one of our equipment vendors.
Cayenne, Long Red Pepper (Hot): 6g of Cayenne, Long Red Pepper seed has been ordered (approximately 720 seeds). This is a choice, fiery-red hot seasoning pepper. Use fresh or dried, especially in salsa or chili. Pendant fruits are 3/4" wide by 5" to 6" long. Approximately 72 days to maturity.
Arkansas Traveler Tomato: 1.5g of Arkansas Traveler Tomato seed has been ordered (approximately 375 seeds). This is a pre-1900 heirloom grown throughout the South from northwest Arkansas to North Carolina. This variety is an old Southern heirloom much esteemed for its ability to produce flavorful tomatoes under conditions of drought and high heat where many other varieties fail. Medium-sized fruits are pink, and of wonderful flavor, and keep well. Approximately 89 days to maturity. Indeterminate.
Cherokee Purple Tomato: 1.5g of Cherokee Purple Tomato seed has been ordered (approximately 375 seeds). This is a pre-1890 Tennessee heirloom, reportedly of Cherokee Indian origin and produces large, smooth fruits (10-12 oz) with slightly ridged shoulders. Ripens to a unique dark, dusky pink/purple. Sometimes called a black tomato, the color carries through to the flesh, especially at the stem end. Good resistance to Septoria leaf spot. A shorter indeterminate, plants average 5' tall. 'Cherokee Purple' has spread widely since its introduction, with variations developing over time, however, this seed is reported to be still the original, shorter shape. Approximately 85 days to maturity. Indeterminate.
Deer Tongue (Matchless) Lettuce (Looseleaf): 14g of Deer Tongue Lettuce has been ordered (approximately 5,600 seeds). This variety is upright and has loose heads with excellent sweet flavor and crisp texture. Slightly savoyed, triangular, round-tipped leaves with a succulent, mid-rib. Moderate bolt resistance. Approximately 54 days to maturity.
Texas Early Grano Onion (Dry Bulb): 105g of Texas Early Grano Onion seed has been ordered (approximately 24,500 seeds). This is a 1933 Texas heirloom, "The Mother of All Sweet Onions". This Vidalia-type onion is a good choice for the Mid-Atlantic and the South. Best started in the fall or winter and transplanted in early spring. Large top-shaped bulbs, thin skin, soft white flesh, with sweet mild flavor. Good resistance to splitting. Short day variety and a short keeper.
Danvers Carrot: 1/4 lb of Danvers Carrot seed has been ordered (approximately 49,187 seeds). This variety is a biennial heirloom. The Danvers Carrot is a vigorous, red-orange carrot, 7"-8" long, with slightly tapered, broad shoulders. It is heat tolerant and performs consistently in many types of soils. Danvers' strong top makes it easy to pull from the ground. A good keeper. Approximately 70 days to maturity.
Baker Heritage Farms is committed to growing only Certified Organic Heirloom crops, and, as such, we spent a great deal of time and effort ensuring that all of our seed meets both Certified Organic and Heirloom standards. These standards required us to alter our initial desire to plant only those heirloom seeds indigenous to the southern region. Our goal is to research available seed and make our decisions first on regional qualities, second on heirloom qualities, and third on organic qualities. All of our February 2013 seeds meet both Certified Organic and Heirloom standards, though may fall short of our desire for meeting those indigenous to the south.
With the exception of the Danvers Carrot seed, all seed was purchased through the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (www.southernexposure.com). The Danvers Carrot seed was sold out at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (though they may have it in stock now) so this seed was ordered through Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply (www.groworganic.com). While we would like to stay with one vendor as much as possible, there will be times that we will have to use multiple vendors. In the case of the Danvers Carrot seed, we were able to obtain the seed through one of our equipment vendors.
The tomatoes and peppers will be seeded in our barn in seed beds and will be transplanted to their appropriate plots approximately 6 - 8 weeks after seeding. All other crops will be direct seeded (this will be a trial for many of our crops, as they can be either direct seeded or transplanted).
Our total seed cost for February 2013 was approximately $410.00 not including shipping. Remember, we are ordering much more seed that the normal backyard farmer will require; however, if you are a small-acreage farmer, you will most likely find your seed costs to be similar.
Once we determine what crops and varieties we will specialize in, we will begin to save seed to reduce input expenses.
Blessings from Baker Heritage Farms
Our total seed cost for February 2013 was approximately $410.00 not including shipping. Remember, we are ordering much more seed that the normal backyard farmer will require; however, if you are a small-acreage farmer, you will most likely find your seed costs to be similar.
Once we determine what crops and varieties we will specialize in, we will begin to save seed to reduce input expenses.
Blessings from Baker Heritage Farms
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