New Seed Varieties for 2004
by Steve Peters

A key part of our mission at Seeds of Change is to promote plant bio-diversity in the garden. Each new and unique variety that is included in the seed list is a celebration of the incredibly rich bounty that our world has to offer us. We look for seed from all over the planet, and it often comes from individuals who have a passion for collecting and maintaining rare germplasm, or from seed companies that specialize in hard-to-find varieties. Every year, at our research farm in Northern New Mexico, we grow a few hundred varieties of vegetables, flowers and herbs that we have never before offered in our seed catalog. Many of these varieties are chosen by our staff, but we also consider carefully the suggestions made by our customers. The first year is essentially a screening process in which we grow a relatively small number of plants because of limited space. If the new variety looks particularly promising as a new offering we will grow a larger amount the second year. That same year we will send some of the seed to one of our growers to increase the supply. Sometimes, if the seed grower is successful and the variety continues to live up to our expectations, we can offer it the following year. Other times it takes two or more years after the initial screening process to include in the catalog, depending on the difficulty of producing seed. The criteria for bringing in a new variety are very subjective, although some qualities are a must. For a vegetable it has to taste great, and for a flower is has to be beautiful (are there any flowers that aren't?). We encourage all of you gardeners to have fun exploring the richness and diversity of the plant world, and you can be sure that the possibilities are limitless. Following is information on our exciting new offerings for 2004.

Flowers

Iceland Poppy Contrary to what we may believe, this widely distributed species of poppy does not come from Iceland, but rather from central Asia and the western region of the Himalayan mountains. Iceland poppies actually include several related species, all of which are very cold hardy, with rather tall stalks and large flowers (up to 7 in. across!) Our selection produces a colorful mix of orange, yellow and white flowers that bloom all summer, and make excellent cut flowers. Also, unlike other poppies they can be used sparingly as a garnish in salads. Although they are perennial, the plants will rot if grown on wet sites, so planting every year will assure their continual presence in the garden.

'Ace Of Spades' Scabiosa The seed first came from Thompson & Morgan Seed Company, who offer a huge array of annual and perennial flowers not offered by other organizations. Dozens of visitors at our research farm have been drawn to this stunningly deep burgundy, nearly black flower which blooms prolifically throughout the summer. Late summer deadheading results in an outstanding fall bloom as well. In mild regions (zone 8 or warmer) it is perennial and grows over 5 feet tall.

South African Pearl Daisy We originally procured this lovely annual flower from the venerable Chiltern Seeds company in the UK. This company offers thousands of flower seeds from around the world that are not commonly found in the seed trade, including this variety which comes from the Draakensburg Highlands of South Africa. After growing this plant at our research farm for a couple of years to rave reviews, we decided we had to offer it. We sent the seed to two of our growers hoping that at least one of them would be successful. In fact, both have produced seed, and we now have a nice supply for our customers!

Tangerine Gem Marigold Also known as Signet Marigold, this is the only marigold (along with its close cousin the Lemon Gem) that is truly edible. While other marigold flowers are quite bitter, this one has a delightfully tangy flavor with a citrus-like accent. The low growing, compact growth habit and profuse floral display throughout the summer and fall make for an ideal border and rock garden plant. This variety is widespread throughout the seed trade, which is clearly understandable given its usefulness as a great addition to fresh salads. It is also an excellent attractant for numerous beneficial insects.

Gourmet Greens

Huazontle Our lot came from one of our seed growers, who acquired a small amount from the Abundant Life Seed Foundation in Washington State. This unusual plant is an edible green with a flavor reminiscent of broccoli, and is also a highly nutritious and tasty grain. It is virtually unknown to most of the modern world, but has been documented as a staple food in ancient agricultural societies from the central highlands of Mexico to the southeastern part of the US. It is the perfect nutritional complement to maize, as the two provide a complete protein food when eaten together.

Herbs

Yellow Lavender This distinctive lavender came to us from dedicated organic gardeners and herb growers Judy Weiner and Peter Leibes of Grants Pass, Oregon. They originally purchased their seed from Goodwin Creek Nursery, also from southwestern Oregon, who have a reputation for propagating many high quality lavender varieties. While most lavenders sold are English types (Lavandula angustifolia) or crosses of English with other species, Lavandula viridis is a distinct species rarely offered. It has bright green, pine-scented foliage with yellowish-green top bracts and creamy yellow corollas (petals). Since it is a native of southern Spain and Portugal it is not reliably hardy in cold climates (zone 7 or colder), where it is best cultivated in containers.

Vegetables

Bulgarian Carrot Chile Pepper This heirloom from Eastern Europe according to one source was smuggled across the Iron Curtain about 20 years ago. This searingly hot pepper is disguised as a perfectly shaped carrot, and is an extremely heavy yielder.

Bull's Blood Beet Frank Morton produced our first seed of this well loved heirloom that has been grown since at least 1840. It has been prized for its thick, deep red juice blood when cooked, and even more for its delicious and tender dark purple leaves. It is also a tasty root when eaten young.

Ein Dor Melon This incredibly sweet, highly aromatic melon was first sent to us by an Israeli seed company. This Middle Eastern variety is considered an Ananas type, which means 'pineapple' in Hebrew, and is considered by many to have the finest flavor of all melons. The first year we grew it at the research farm it did not ripen because we planted it too late and discovered that it needs a longer, hotter season than most other varieties. We planted it earlier the next year and had much better results. Ein Dor is destined to become a farm favorite for many years to come.

Emerald Oak Lettuce This lettuce variety is the result of a long term breeding project undertaken by independent plant breeder Frank Morton. For many years Frank has been combining different lettuce varieties in a quest for totally unique combinations that had never existed previously. Emerald Oak began by growing a mix of Lolla Rossa (a frilly dark red crisphead), Four Seasons (red butterhead ), and a red oak leaf type. The selected progeny became Blush Butter Oak, which was then crossed with Green Deer Tongue. After a couple more generations, Frank found a single plant that was pure green and had the desired oak leaf form. For the next several generations he kept selecting for plants with a bright green color, a compact growth habit, and vigorous plants that showed some resistance to downy mildew. The seed we now offer is the result of at least seven years of breeding and selection.

Goldmarie Vining Bean This unusual bright yellow pole bean was sent to us by Alan Kapuler, who procured it from Canada. It still is virtually unknown in the U.S., but it is bound to become popular for its outstanding eating quality and exceptional beauty.

Queensland Blue Squash One of my old gardening friends who lives in upstate New York visited me in New Mexico a few winters ago, and he brought with him a strange looking squash. We cooked it up, munched it down, and right then I decided we had to grow this variety. We purchased the seed from Seed Savers Exchange, who state in their catalog that this is an Australian heirloom that was first introduced into the U.S. in 1932. With delectably moist and rich flesh with a hint of lemon, Queensland Blue became an immediate winner at our farm, and now we are pleased to offer it for you to enjoy.

Satsuki Madori Cucumber We originally purchased this gourmet Japanese cucumber from Alan Kapuler, one of the founders of Seeds Of Change, and owner of Peace Seeds in Corvallis, Oregon. Several years ago Alan received a letter from a Japanese woman along with 20 cucumber seeds. She had met a retired cucumber breeder who had worked for a large Japanese seed company for 25 years. This breeder realized that open pollinated (OP) cucumbers were almost extinct in the seed trade and passed on to the women his favorite OP variety which he called 'Satsuki Madori'. We've trialed several Asian-type cukes, and this is the most reliably sweet, and is never bitter. Please savor this brand new cuke that has finally seen the light of day!

Wachichu Flint Corn This is a great example of a variety that was nearly lost if not for the perseverance and dedication of one of our seed growers, David Podoll of North Dakota. The history of this corn dates back to around 1400 AD, where it was grown by Native Americans in the James River Valley of present day North Dakota. More recently, in the 1920's to the 1940's, it was adopted by farmers as a silage and forage for their cattle and hogs, because of its productivity and high protein content. David got the seed from one of his neighbors in the mid 1970's when almost none existed. He felt drawn by the incredible array of kernel colors that its ears exhibited. As he grew and refined the variety, he made sure to eliminate yellow kernels, which were never in the original strain, but would have dominated because of modern commercial yellow corns growing nearby. He also saved other unique color combinations including various striping and speckling patterns, and the variety is now more diverse than when he started growing it. He has also improved stalk strength, earliness, and ease of drying, which are all traits desired by farmers.

Wisconsin 55 Tomato This splendid cultivar represents some of the last focused open pollinated tomato breeding done at the University of Wisconsin in the early 1950's. by J.C. Walker, who was actually a plant pathologist. Shortly after that time, breeding efforts shifted to F1 hybrids and this was among the varieties that were nearly forgotten. Independent plant breeder John Navazio resuscitated this variety a few years ago, as he recognized its value as a firm, crack resistant variety that ships well but also has outstanding flavor. John has been improving its disease resistant qualities, and we are pleased to be able to offer this worthy tomato.