Seedlings

[matey]

I am going to take the suggestions to start with seedlings. Here's my question though, am I able to use seedlings that come from good practices? Like how do I know what seeds the seedlings grow from. I live 45 miles from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Do they just have seeds or seedlings too? Or do I just have to go anywhere and just pick some seedlings up?

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[TheGirls]

Personally, I get mine from either a local nursery or from the farmer's market here. Neither are certified organic, but both are small enough that I can ask what was used and get an answer (unlike, say Lowes or WalMart).

I'm not local to you though, so I can't answer about your local stores. I know Baker Creek doesn't sell any plants in their catalog (only seed) but don't know about their store.

[lmonter]

Well, since you live so close to Baker Creek, why not just call 'em up and see who they recommend locally for plant starts?
Or check out your local farmer's market.
That kind of thing. I know a family through their blog in that direction (I forget how close they actually are to Baker Creek) that are selling eggs, taking orders for broiler chickens, and selling seedlings this year.

I also have an awful propensity to grill vendors at the farmer's market about their plants/produce. I have no qualms about saving seed from plants (last year was Cherokee Purple) or tomatoes (Black Cherry, Taxi or Moon-something and something else last year) or peppers (jalapeno one year) after finding out the variety. The vendors don't seem to mind - they like discussing things with folks that know a least a bit about things, or I guess I just surprise 'em with my questions about how long certain plants take to fruit, whether they're determinate/indeterminate, blah blah blah.

[matey]

well, that's a great idea, to call baker's creek! Thanks!

I dont know if our farmers market is going on right now. I know they extended it into the winter, but we havnt gone because we've been doing a csa. Any, I will check on that too.