organic gardening supplies

[AmyMN]

(I'm sorry if there's been another thread about this already. I searched and couldn't find one and dd is running out of patience.)

I live in the Anoka area and am going to be buying organic vegetable plants and seeds this weekend. Where can I buy them locally?

Thanks!

[Sara Mama]

Hmm, I'd say the Minneapolis farmers market would be good for seedlings.

Also, Mississippi Market (granted in St. Paul and a bit of trek for you) is having their annual plant sale, bu you could try calling the other local co-ops to see if they are having one too.

[Snow]

I get my organic (untreated) seeds from Shepherds (mail order) but agree that the farmers market would be a good bet locally. And you might call the coops and see who has what. FWIW I don't sweat it about the seedlings, and then just grow them organically in my garden. There aren't many chemicals, if any, to put on most seedlings (as opposed to fully grown plants) and certainly no pesticides so I think they're pretty safe in the garden centers.

We have a Twin Cities gardening thread in the Diggin in the Earth forum here, come join us! The thread is titled Zone 4 Green Thumbs, Twin Cities.

[Sara Mama]

Miss. Mkt (Randolph only) is having an awesome plant sale. All their organically raised vegie seedlings are $1.25 each -- super tomato varieties and peppers and... the Como Conservatory is having their annual plant sale on Saturday from 8 - 12. Awesome sale, but the line at 7 is long! However, if you want Tulip bulbs buy theirs (from this spring's flowering) and plant them now for next year's blooms.

[AmyMN]

Sara Mama and Snow, Thank you for your responses!

I am a first-time gardener so I don't know what I'm doing. :D

I don't believe I'd like seedlings that weren't grown organically because, from what I understand, it would be likely they have less nutrients due to depleted soils.

Do Farmer's Markets have organic plants and seeds?

Mississippi Market, Randolph, sounds like a great option. Does anyone know if I need to get there early to have a good selection? I just want organic tomato plants/seedlings and then lots of organic vegetable seeds.

(The Zone 4 Green Thumbs, Twin Cities thread looks great. I got a little overwhelmed with all the information. But when I have more time I'd like to "dig" into it a little more. Pun intended. LOL)

Thanks for your help!

[Sara Mama]

Hi Amy,
Mississippi Market was well stocked yesterday -- I bought, oh 10 MORE tomato plants, many of them heirloom variety.

Heirloom ones tend to be...oh I forgot the word, but they will keep growing up as long as they have something to grow on where as hybrids reach a max height and stop. SO those spiral tomato stakes or making teepees that you tie the tomato plant to are wonderful.

You can build a tomato trellis (http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=White+Flower&category%5Fname=Trellises++and++Arbors&product%5Fid=7362) like this one out of twigs or bamboo stakes (sometimes Ax Max surplus has these really cheaply) and tie your plants on with old nylons (their stretchiness is very gentle on the plants.)

Good luck!

[AmyMN]

Sara, thanks for the info.

I called Mississippi Market. They said they still have plants but are a little low on seeds.

I called Friends School of Minnesota and talked to Henry. He suggested all the food co-ops, and said they get their products from Green Fingers Farm. For seeds, he recommended Seeds of Change, Johnny and Fed Co. Evidentially most stores aren't going to have a big selection of seeds except for North Country Co-op who sells seeds in bulk (according to Henry, it's set up like the 1970s co-ops...). Also he said Lakewinds Home Store in Minnetonka is a good place to go.

I called Lakewinds and they said they have a decent selection of seeds and plants.

Surprisingly, I haven't been to Lakewinds yet--it's not *that* far from me. Can anyone tell me if they have a good selection of organic vegetable plants and seeds?

Has anyone been to North Country Co-op? I called them and it sounds like they don't have any organic vegetable plants and have a small selection of seeds.

Another friend recommended Garden City on 23rd and Lyndale. Their phone number in the phone book is incorrect. Anyone know anything about them?

The Wedge recommended a place off of 27th and Lyndale. They didn't know the name other than it started with "International". Any ideas about that?

Is it a pain to order seeds from Seeds of Change? It seems sort of user unfriendly to me...?

Happy Friday!

[SummerLover]

Okay this isn't going to be that helpful because my brain can't come up with names at the moment, but there is a garden center at 42nd ave. S. and 38th street in Minneapolis. It is across the street from the Riverview theater. It can be a bit pricey but they have organic plants, ect... Sorry I can't pull out the name.

I've been to North Country but only for awesome bagel sticks!

[Sara Mama]

Lakewinds is a wonderful co-op. I'm too far from there to check, but if you were told they have a good selection, then I would just go!

You can get there a couple of ways.

From 394, take 494 south, go West on Minnetonka Blvd for about 3 miles. Lakewinds is in a little (and old) strip mall on the SE corner of Minnetonka Blvd and Highway 101 (so it will be on your left).

You can also come in via Highway 7 from Mpls and go north (right) on Highway 101 for 2-3 miles and it will be on your right.

As for ordering seeds online. As Sue said Sheperd's is wonderful (go to www.whiteflowerfarm.com) and www.cooksgarden.com is good too. Both do have orangic seeds. And seeds of change seeds are wonderful, web site not with standing.

good luck!

[AmyMN]

FYI, I bought my seeds and plants at Lakewinds shortly after I posted this thread.

One of my friends, Corrie who works for greeninstitute.org, said this: "I would Recommend Mother Earth Gardens on the corner of 42nd Avenue South and East 38th Street in South Minneapolis. For next year, I would recommend getting a catalog from Seed Savers Exchange, which is based in Iowa."

And here are some general gardening tips from a friend of mine, Wendy, that is going to school for this sort of thing:

"As for starting seeds, you need LOTS of light, preferably a grow or flourescent light suspended 12 inches above the soil/plants turned on 12 hours a day. Be careful not to stert seeds to early or they will get too big and leggy indoors. Veggies are pretty easy, but other seeds (perennials and such) sometimes need several weeks in a refrigerator to mimic outdoor conditions in order to germinate. Follow the instructions on the seed packet.

"In general I would say: first, put more time energy and money in your soil before you do anything else, because it will nourish whatever you plant. That means lots and lots of compost - maybe compost tea, too - and "hardscaping" like raised beds (better drainage and warms up quicker), walkways (to avoid compacting the soil around plants) and edging (to keep out grass and the mower). These and other methods will halp save you time later on - here's another one: mulch (retains water
and suppresses weeds). Second, browse the library shelves gardening section and read anything that catches your fancy. Then you can sample books and only buy the ones you really, really like. If you're really serious you may want to start a gardening journal to jot ideas and take notes on books (and know where to find them in 6 months time!). Check
out the MN Horticultural Society - they have classes and a magazine, Northern Gardener. If you can't find answers to nagging questions, you can always call the U of M Extension office and get in touch with a Master Gardener for your county - s/he may not know the answer right off, but s/he can reserach it, even ask U of M professors and county employees."

[Snow]

Master Gardener Ingrid Sundstrom lives right across the alley from me and is always happy to give advice if anyone wants to stop by!