Folks can be very protective of their favorite catalogs. I got lots of suggestions this month from fellow readers, most of which I have already passed on. There are a few more left, some that just came in and some that I had to debate whether to include for one objectionable reason or another. In the name of democracy -- this column is not a democracy, by the way -- these too are listed.
A couple of readers suggested Horizon Herbs (www.horizonherbs.com, 541-846-6704), claiming it would catch my attention once I looked at it. They were right. Horizon Herbs does offer lots of unusual stuff, not the ordinary fare in any of the other catalogs mentioned thus far. The picture of the Giant Purple Angelica, a magnificent 10-foot tall herb, was enough to convince me to pass it on. Then I saw it offers Impatiens balsamina or "Poor Man's Orchid," which is a known invasive in Southcentral. "Balsam," as it is also known, clogs riparian banks and could choke out salmon-rearing areas. It is a big no-no. Still, those lovely angelicas! So be careful before you buy anything from a catalog. If it is fantastic-looking but you've never seen it, wonder why. If you are in doubt, ask around. Keep reminding yourself: Most cool plants that do well here are sold here.
Richters (www.richters.com, 905-640-6677) is another spring catalog-webalog that makes the list. It is a Canadian-based catalog house that specializes in herbs. I was a bit reluctant to put it on the list because it includes Jacob's ladder, a real runaway plant, if not an out-and-out weed. You can't buy plants from them, but there are books and tools for herbalists. Similarly, William Dam Seeds (www.damseeds.ca) in Canada is of interest, but they don't ship to the United States. Inspection certificates to allow their plants and seed over the border cost upwards of $100 and so all we can do is look.
I also hesitated to list Soggy Creek.com (seeds.soggycreek.com, 705-724-114) because it too, is in Canada. However, it is a different sort of catalog, that's for sure, and it is different enough to be in the running for the most unusual of the batch this year. If you like Dr. Bonner's soap labels, the Whole Earth Catalog or just plain weirdness and quirky humor, then you will appreciate this zany and creative webalog.
Next, since I encourage heirlooms, I should have listed two other catalogs. The first is J. L. Hudson Seedsman (www.jlhudsonseeds.net). If you want unusual seeds and if you want heirlooms, this is for you. Billed as a "public access seed bank" and established in 1911, it has an enormous list of interesting seed material. Unfortunately, there are no pictures to accompany the list. Everything is listed in alphabetical order, which means you need to know what you want to look it up or read all the descriptions one by one to find what you want. That would be fascinating, but would take until next spring. It is worth a look, anyhow. Just try "tomatoes." With such a huge list, it's no wonder there are no pictures.
The second heirloom catalog is Wethersfield Seed Garden's Comstock Seeds (www.comstockferre.com, 263 Main, Wethersfield, CT 06109), an operation that has been in business for 200 years, making it New England's oldest seed house. The descriptions of the heirlooms are wonderful and full of history.
Ouch, I also left out Fedco Seeds, (www.fedcoseeds.com, 207-873-7333). This is a co-op headquartered in Waterville, Maine, where it gets plenty cold and the season is short like ours. There is a lot of information on this site so it is worth exploring even if you are not buying. I like their planting guide.
Finally, you really should check out the Tobacco Seed Co., (www.the tobaccoseed.com). It is a "grow-your-own" site for tobacco. I suppose it had to happen, what with the price of cigars and cigarettes these days. What do you need? Cigarette tobacco? Cigar tobacco? Wrappers? If you have access to a PayPal account you can grow your own by ordering from this catalog. I don't think it would be easy to grow tobacco in Alaska, but check out the site nonetheless. This one gets my award for this year's Most Unusual Seed Catalog.
Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.
JEFF LOWENFELS
GARDENING