10th Day of Seed Catalogs

Seed Company Spotlight
Strictly Medicinal
 
Location: PO Box 299, Williams, OR 97544
Inquiries: [email protected]
Fax: 541-846-0872
Website: https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com
Catalog Request: https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/catalog-request  
 
Strictly Medicinal Seeds is a family farm and seed company located in southern Oregon. Run by the Cech family, it started in 1985 as Horizon Herbs. I have looked to them for decades as the source for unusual, important herbs.
 
They offer a wide range of medicinal plants and seeds. They also sell seeds for vegetables, edible flowers, culinary herbs, dye plants and more. Their “seeds and plants are GMO-free, untreated, open-pollinated, and packed with love!” All of their seeds are public domain with “no patents or genetic engineering allowed.” If you are looking to add some medicinal plants to your garden then this is the place for you.
 
The black and white catalog printed on newsprint is barebones. There are only a few illustrations so keep your phone handy to lookup new-to-you species. The descriptions provide plenty of information about zones and growing habit and appearance. You are kind of on your own to learn about the uses and preparations of these plants. They do have some books and seed saving supplies. My copy arrived with an Ursula Le Guin stamp. This catalog feels friendly and familiar, it is surprisingly educational.
 
As the name suggests, their catalog is chock full of medicinal plants. This is one of the most educational catalogs that I have received. For instance, on the last page before ordering information, there is a page of Yucca and Agave seeds. I am vaguely aware of these plants . . . how are they medicinal or useful? Are they edible? And so my self-guided garden education continues.
 
Whereas some seed companies pride themselves on multiple varieties of vegetable or flower crops, Strictly Medicinal can pride itself on offering multiple varieties of herbs. Their collection is eye-opening and astonishing. Here are some medicinal seeds I discovered.
 
1 kind of Chickweed
2 kinds of Ashwagandha
3 kinds of Arnica
4 kinds of Tulsi
5 kinds of Valerian
6 kinds of Rhubarb
 
They offer 9 kinds of Plantain, Plantaginaceae, who knew there were that many different varieties of this very common pot herb. Then there are plants you just never expect to see such as Russian Rhodiola, Holy Saffron, Scarlet Pimpernel, Stinging Nettles, Pearly Everlasting and Wild Indigo.
 
This is a unique collection of plants and there are so many choices. I think one of their collections might be the perfect place to start.  Herb, vegetable and flower collections help narrow down all the choices. These collections have any where from 7 to 48 packets of seeds. Here are some that you might like.
 
Herbal Resilience – 7 packets. Artemisia annua; Ashwagandha, Vedic; Astragalus; Burdock, Gobo; Marshmallow; Pepper, Thai Volcano; Spilanthes, Official.
 
Edible Flowers – 7 packets. Bean, Scarlet Runner; Borage; Calendula, Mixed; Nasturtium, Jewels; Love in the Mist; Shungiku; Violet, Heartsease
 
Tasty Tea – 7 packets. Basil, Kivumbasi Lime (Ocimum africanum = African Tea Basil); Greek Mountain Tea; Chamomile, German; Balm, Lemon; Marshmallow; Nettles; Tulsi–Temperate
Survival Medicine Garden – 8 packets. Burdock; Calendula; Comfrey; Dandelion; Wild Lettuce; Self Heal; Valerian; Yarrow
Dye Plants – 8 packets. Amaranth, Hopi Red Dye; Chamomile, Dyer’s; Japanese Indigo, Pink-Flowered; Madder; Marigold, French; Nettles; Our Lady’s Bedstraw; Sunflower, Hopi Black Dye
 
Order up a catalog and start growing your own medicine. Have fun on your herb garden journey. 

hyssop and bee photo credit: Joan Goodnight

nigella photo credit: Lisa Taylor

Scarlet Runner Bean blossom photo credit: Lisa Taylor

​All images unless otherwise noted are from https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com and are used for educational purposes only.

Edible Garden Companion
Digging Deeper
​
Right on time. Learn what and when to plant and keep your edible garden growing year-round. Sign up for my Edible Garden Companion Digging Deeper and get a year of my monthly garden guides. You can sample this course ala carte by purchasing single months. 
​https://www.gardenwithlisa.com/store/c11/ediblegardencompanion

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Seed Company Spotlight
True Leaf Market
 
Location: 175 West 2700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Inquiries: [email protected]
Phone: 801-491-8700
Website: https://www.trueleafmarket.com/
Online Catalog Only: https://www.trueleafmarket.com/
 
Since 1974 True Leaf Market has been offering carefully selected seed brands. They offer conventional, organic, Asian, F1 and sprouting seeds. They are a non-gmo seed company located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They offer an extensive collection of vegetable, grain, flower and herb seeds.
 
What I like are their sprouting and microgreen mixes. To assist in the growing of these tiny crops, they also sell lights and seed starting supplies. They also carry other products to help you eat what you grow. The have fermentation gear, soymilk and tofu kits, juicers and food preservation supplies.
 
The most endearing thing about True Leaf Market is the CPO (Chief Pest Officer), Taylor the Warehouse Cat. I love this natural approach to pest control!
 
Microgreen Seeds 
Separated by herb, flower and colorful they offer dozens of options. I was immediately drawn to the colorful category. Any time I can add color to my plate, I am in. This is a most beautiful collection. They offer several different beet and chard seeds, dozens of colorful radishes as well as purple basil and kohlrabi. I hadn’t thought of growing Shiso microgreens – that would add color and flavor to noodles, soups or rice.
 
Borage for microgreens! I have never seen this before except with wild self-sown patches in the garden. Tiny borage leaves taste like cucumber and are fresh and crispy. Older leaves have little spines that are less inviting for fresh nibbling. I think growing a quick crop of borage microgreens is in my future.
 
I grew microgreens with students and families this year and chose their Organic Basic Salad Mix. This was a tasty blend of five brassicas -- Waltham 29 Broccoli, Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale, Purple Vienna Kohlrabi, Slow Bolt Arugula, and Red Acre Cabbage. I found that I could cut one crop and let it regrow as baby greens or small starts I could transplant. I bought a pound of seed and still have plenty for winter growing.

If the choices are overwhelming, check out their variety pack. It contains 12 different crops – Broccoli, Purple Radish, Spicy Salad Mix, Beet, Nasturtium, Cilantro, Garden Cress, Sunflower, Pak Choi, Shiso, Orach and Pea.
 
If you are new to growing microgreens, then head over to the starter guide. You can learn how to use both soil and soil-less growing methods.
https://www.trueleafmarket.com/pages/growing-microgreens-starter-guide
 
Sprouting Seeds
I am crazy for crunchy, homegrown sprouts. So easy to grow in a jar on the counter, sprouted seeds are packed with nutrition, crunch and flavor. I especially like sprouted lentils and mung beans. True Leaf Markets selection of sprouting seeds has expanded my repertoire.
 
I grew their “Kick Mix” for classes and we liked the sprouts but they were spicey! Now I know what they mean by “kick!” Next time I will grow a mix with milder seeds like clover, alfalfa and chia seeds.

baby arugula photo credit: Lisa Taylor

Taylor the Warehouse Cat

All images unless otherwise noted are from https://www.trueleafmarket.com and are used for educational purposes only.

Edible Garden Companion
Digging Deeper

Right on time. Learn what and when to plant and keep your edible garden growing year-round. Sign up for my Edible Garden Companion Digging Deeper and get a year of my monthly garden guides. You can sample this course ala carte by purchasing single months. 
​https://www.gardenwithlisa.com/store/c11/ediblegardencompanion