Re: sproutable coriander, caraway, & fennel

[Guest guest]

Marilyn Jarzembski <marilynjarz@y...> wrote:

> You know, I just thought of a great place to get

> sproutable seeds. A seed company like Stokes or nys.

I checked out " Stokes " herb selection, at http://www.stokeseeds.com/

Anise Dill

Arugula Fennel

Basil Huckleberry

Bee Balm Lavender

Borage Lemon Balm

Caraway Marjoram

Catnip Oregano

Chamomile Rosemary

Chervil Rue

Chives Sage

Coriander Sorrel

Dandelion Spearmint

Thyme Summer Savory

Watercress

A rather feeble selection - at least compared to what C.N.Seeds offer.

Their " Oriental Vegetables " section is similar - still, at least it is there.

If you want a more reasonable selection you'd probably be better

off with a specialist herb seed supplier - IMO.

However, they *do* sell in bulk (as many sprouters like) - and (following this

thread's title) *do* at least stock 3 varieties

of coriander - as well as fennel and caraway.

[Guest guest]

This thread has got me searching the web for herb seed suppliers.

Richter's (http://www.richters.com/) seems to have a decent selection

with a lot of unusual offerings and different varieties (but note

that prices vary a lot among varieties of the same herb.) They do

sell in bulk, and they ship worldwide.

[Guest guest]

Dear Marilyn et al,

Please be certain that what you buy from a garden seed company will meet

your sprouting needs.

Specifically:

1. Are seeds without toxic treatments? Many garden seeds are treated with a

fungicide or other toxic seed treat during storage or after processing.

This is standard procedure for many (but not all) companies for some/all of

their seeds. The purpose is to protect the seed from seed or soil borne

disease, fungi, and/or other pests. Seeds that may sit in cool soils for

days or weeks before sprouting are susceptible to rotting or pest attack, so

seed treat is considered " insurance of performance " by some companies,

gardeners, and farmers. This should not be an issue with certified

organic seed. Seed catalogs should indicate seed treatment, but I'd

recommend contacting the seed company just to make sure.

2. Do seeds have very high germination? Although it varies by species,

germination of 50% or 60% would certainly be possible in many garden seeds,

and 85% is often considered an acceptable industry standard. This is not a

big issue for gardeners, since often the planting is done very heavy in any

case, and the plants are later thinned depending on what emerges. But

sprouters have other priorities and methods. In the above example, a

sprouter would soon realize that 50%, 40% or 15% of the seeds will NOT

sprout in a reasonable time (either because they are dead seeds or are " hard

seeds " that require temperature fluctuations or extended time to break

dormancy). Dead seeds will soon mold or go rancid in a sprouter, spoiling

the batch. 50% or even 15% " hard seeds " would probably not be acceptable to

most sprouters. In a garden the dead or hard seeds simply become food some

well adapted being in the soil food chain. Things are not quite so elegant

(i.e. complex) in the sprouting tray!

Happy New Year,

dave

--

N. Oien

Timeless Seeds

P.O. Box 881

Conrad MT 59425

http://www.timeless-seeds.com

http://www.Timelessfood.com

> From: " Tim Tyler " <tt2333@...>

> Reply-

> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 17:03:18 -0000

>

> Subject: Re: sproutable coriander, caraway, & fennel

>

> Marilyn Jarzembski <marilynjarz@y...> wrote:

>

>> You know, I just thought of a great place to get

>> sproutable seeds. A seed company like Stokes or nys.

>

> I checked out " Stokes " herb selection, at http://www.stokeseeds.com/

>

> Anise Dill

> Arugula Fennel

> Basil Huckleberry

> Bee Balm Lavender

> Borage Lemon Balm

> Caraway Marjoram

> Catnip Oregano

> Chamomile Rosemary

> Chervil Rue

> Chives Sage

> Coriander Sorrel

> Dandelion Spearmint

> Thyme Summer Savory

> Watercress

>

> A rather feeble selection - at least compared to what C.N.Seeds offer.

> Their " Oriental Vegetables " section is similar - still, at least it is there.

>

> If you want a more reasonable selection you'd probably be better

> off with a specialist herb seed supplier - IMO.

>

> However, they *do* sell in bulk (as many sprouters like) - and (following this

> thread's title) *do* at least stock 3 varieties

> of coriander - as well as fennel and caraway.

>

>

>

>

>

>