Verse of the day: 1 Peter 5:7
I live in growing zone 6b, and I am so excited to share this year’s seeds haul with everyone. Buying seeds every year gives me such joy! I always buy way too many seeds that will take me the rest of my life to use them all. This year I ordered from three different companies, MIgardener, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and Hudson Valley Seed Co. When I order seeds, I am like a kid in a candy store, no self-control, not an ounce.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
So, to start, my biggest order came from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds this year. Out of the three companies, I have ordered from them the longest. They truly have an amazing selection of seeds that most companies do not have. After you spend $10, then you get a free seed packet. You could spend more if you wanted and after so much you can receive more free seeds. These are preselected already and you have no idea what you are getting until you order arrives. It’s a nice surprise and its free!! Keep in mind, Baker Creek is a little more expensive; however, shipping is included.
Here is what I ordered (click each arrow for more information I provided on the varieties):
Pineapple Tomato
This is my favorite slicer/beefsteak tomato. Grown this for years!
- Indeterminate
- 75-95 days to maturity
- Sweet, fruity flavor
- Prolific
- 8-12 hrs. of sun
- Up to 2lb. fruits
Dr. Wyche’s Yellow Tomato
- Indeterminate
- 8-12 hrs. of sun
- Tropical, sweet flavor
- Productive
- Up to 1 lb. fruits
Hungarian Heart (New for me)
- Indeterminate
- Paste Tomato
- 8-12 hrs. of sun
- Variety dates back to Budapest, Hungary in 1900
- Fruit can exceed 1 lb. each
Gezahnte Tomato (New for me)
- Indeterminate
- 8-12 hrs. of sun
- Originates from Naples, Italy
- Semi-hollow, fabulous for stuffing
- Up to 6 oz. fruits
- Mild to sweet flavor
- Very productive- even in dry/hot weather
Kajari Melon
- 5-6 ft. vines
- 8-12 hrs. of sun
- 60-70 days to maturity
- Very sweet, pale flesh
- Copper color with green and white stripes
- Personal sized melons
Purple Ball Basil (New to me)
- 60 days to maturity
- 8-12 hrs. of sun
- Gourmet & ornamental
- Will be just shy of 1 ft. tall
- Loves the heat
- Not as sweet as green basil
Elena’s Rojo Amaranth (New to me)
- 90 days to maturity
- 6-12 hrs. of sun
- Highly nutritious grain
- Gluten Free
- Tolerates heat but does best with average watering
MIgardener Heirloom Seeds
MI Gardener is a fabulous seed company and generally is very cost effective. This is my second biggest order out of my seed haul. They have so many selections as well for their seeds. Shipping is not included with their orders; however, shipping isn’t expensive either. I’ve ordered from MIgardener for roughly 3-ish years now. MIgardener also seems to have the most information I’ve seen on the back of a seed packet.
Here is what I ordered (Make sure to click on the arrows for more information I added):
Orange Currant Tomato (New to me)
- Indeterminate
- 1/4″-1/2″ currant sized fruit
- Fruity and sweet flavor
- 65-70 days to maturity
- Thick skin- Crack resistant
- Full Sun
Champagne Bubbles Tomato
This is my absolute favorite cherry tomato!!
- Indeterminate
- Full Sun
- 80 days to maturity
- Heat Tolerant and disease resistant
- 1 oz sized fruit
- Sweetest cherry tomato on the market
Plumsicle Tomato (New to me)
- Indeterminate
- Paste/plum tomato- very little seeds. Good for sauce too!
- 75-85 days to maturity
- 2-3 oz. size fruits
- Smooth, low acid flavor
- Full sun
Chocolate Cherry Sunflower
This is by far the best sunflower I’ve ever grown! Absolutely beautiful in the garden.
- Anual
- 60-90 days to maturity
- 5-6 ft. tall
- Full sun
- Pollinator
- Chocolate-burgundy color with brown center
- 7-10 days vase life after being cut
Butterbush Butternut Squash (New to me)
- Winter Vine
- Full sun
- 75 days to maturity
- 1-2 lb. sized squash
- Each vine produces 3-6 squash
- Stores 4-5 months after harvest
Long Pie Pumpkin (New to me)
Heirloom cross between a pie pumpkin and a butternut squash.
- Full sun
- 100 days to maturity
- 8-10 lb. fruits that are 14″-16″ long
- Each vine will produce 5-7 pumpkins
- Flavor is deep, sweet, and string free
- Stores 2-4 months after harvest
Sugar Pie Pumpkin
- Classic for sweet flesh perfect for baking
- Full sun
- Pumpkins are 7-10″ wide
- 90-110 days to maturity
- Compact vines
- Each pumpkin is 2-4 lbs.
- Stores 2-4 months after harvest
Hudson Valley Seed Co.
This was my first-year ordering from here. Price wasn’t terrible for the seeds, but I feel shipping could be cheaper for the faster shipping. But I can’t complain. It looked like they had a ton of seed options! I only ordered one thing from them, and it arrived fairly quick.
Silver Slicer Cucumber
This has been my favorite and most productive cucumber! I’ve grown it for many years after seeing Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm talk about it.
- Resistant to powdery mildew
- 60 days to maturity
- Creamy white thin skin and can withstand pickling
- Sweet mild flavor
- 6-8″ cucumbers
- 6-10 hrs. of sun
Conclusion
This year of seed buying was so much fun. Follow along to see how everything grows during the season that is approaching quickly. If any of these seeds interest you, check out the companies and order before things are sold out. Tis the season to start seeds indoors currently. The most cost-effective company I go through is MIgardener. Grow something unusual and beautiful!
God Bless!
Wagon Wheel Homestead 
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