Sources of Heirloom Varieties

The place to start if you are interested in heirloom vegetables is the Seed Saver’s Exchange, an organization devoted to preserving heirloom varieties. Write the organization in care of Kent Whealy, P.O. Box 239, Decorah, Iowa 52101. Membership is $12. With your membership you’ll get a directory of names of other seed savers and what they want to trade, as well as information on seed saving.

To receive a two-page information letter detailing the projects and publications of the Seed Saver’s Exchange, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the above address.

* Abundant Life Seed Foundation, P.O. Box 772, Port Townsend, Wash. 98368. A source for heirloom seeds.

* Applesource, Tom Vorbeck, Route 1, Chapin, Ill. 62628. Sampler packs of many old apple varieties and full boxes of individual varieties as well.

* Native Seeds/Search, 2509 N. Campbell Ave., No. 325, Tucson, Ariz. 85719. A source for Native American vegetable seed varieties. Also a source of blue cornmeal, anasazi and tepary beans for eating.

* Redwood Seed Co., P.O. Box 361, Redwood City, Calif. 94064. A source for heirloom seeds. $2 for catalogue.

* Ronniger’s Seed Potatoes, Star Route, Moyie Springs, Idaho 83845. A source of seeds and superior eating heirloom potatoes.

* Seeds Blum, Idaho City Stage, Boise, Ida. 83707. A huge selection of heirloom seeds and vegetables for cooks. Gift packs available of red and blue cornmeal, authentic New England varieties of beans for baking and unusual dried chiles. $3 for extensive catalogue.

* Shepherd’s Garden Seeds, Shipping Office, 30 Irene St., Torrington, Conn. 06790-6657. A wide selection of heirloom seeds.

* Sonoma Antique Apple Nursery, 4395 Westside Road, Healdsburg, Calif. 95448. A nursery that specializes in plants of heirloom varieties of apples; carries a number of other fruits as well.

* Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, P.O. Box 158, North Garden, Va. 22959. A source for heirloom seeds, particularly those acclimatized for the South. $2 for catalogue.