We're starting our cool-weather (organic, heirloom) seedlings in the next two weeks. They'll be ready to move outside, under a cold frame or into an unheated greenhouse, in 4-5 weeks.
I'd encourage everyone to start their own seeds. It's not that hard. Check out this post on Seed Starting for more info.
If you'd like me to start any (from the list below) for you, email me or leave a comment on this post by the end of February. I have space under my lights to start an extra 100 cool-weather plants. For $3 you'll get a 3-4" tall plant in a 4" grower pot. No delivery, you'll need to pick them up at my house, near Division and Wood Streets in Chicago. I did it last year and found it was a nice way to meet some of our readers.
I'm keeping track of all the starts on this Google Doc spreadsheet.
We'll be starting the warm-weather plants, like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, around March 15th. I'll put a list up in a couple of weeks of those varieties. [Updated, link here.]
In addition to some of our own saved seeds, we have seeds from:
Franchi (Seeds From Italy)
Hudson Valley Seed Co
Johnny's Seeds
Renee's Garden
Seed Saver Co
Victory Seed Co
Many of our early-season starts could just as easily be direct seeded after it warms up. However, we've found that starting them inside extends our growing season/yield.
Here's a list of the cool-weather plants we're starting:
Arugula
• Arugula
• Wild Arugula
Asian Greens
• Baby Bok Choy
• Braising Mix
• Savoyed-Leaf Tatsoi
• Smooth-Leaf Tatsoi
Broccoli Raab
• 'Piracicaba'
Greens
• Chicory 'selvatica de campo'
• Collards 'Champion'
• Cress 'Upland'
• Cress 'Wrinkled, Crinkled, Crumpled'
• Endive 'Full Heart Batavian'
• Mustard 'Indian Mix'
• Mustard 'Red Giant'
• Swiss Chard 'Rainbow'
Kale
• Dinosaur
• Lacinato
• Lacinato Rainbow
• Red Russian
• Red Winter
• White Russian
Lettuce
• Black Seeded Simpson
• Carmona
• Green Salad Bowl
• Mesclun Mix
• Marveille des Quatre Saisons
• Paris Island Romaine
• Red Salad Bowl
• Red Velvet
Spinach
• New Zealand Spinach
• Spinach 'Bloomsdale'
