Any gardener worth her rock salt is chomping at the bit to get outside by now. But really, until it’s time to plant peas and Bells of Ireland on March 17, there isn’t much you can do but plan. So until you can get out there, here are some recommendations on where to buy cool new seeds and plants.
Hudson Valley Seed Library. Heirloom seeds, plus great art? What a cool concept. The seeds, which are certified organic, are either harvested at their small farm or sourced from ones nearby. And they are packaged in beautiful heavy stock paper that folds up on itself to make the packet. I’ve saved nearly every one, hoping I’ll one day get to the project of framing them. We usually pick up a few packetsat Rosedale Nurseries, where they’re for sale by the register. But this year, I’m putting in my order online.
Raintree Nursery. We shop for many of our fruit trees and small fruits, like blueberries, at Rosedale in Westchester. But when we mail order edible landscaping, we do so from Raintree, and have been very happy. Years ago we planted whips of flowering quince, really just for the flowers. But for the first time this year, they bore us fruit. Go Raintree!
The Whole Seeds Catalog. This book — it really is — came in the mail at the office last fall, and I just 
now started browsing it. (On a recommendation from our new friend Nicole, whom we got to know at the Oratamin Winter Social.) So far, I’m really liking the unusual varietes of heirlooms. You can start with the web site or the free catalog, but if you want to splurge the 8 bucks for the big book, I say you won’t be disappointed.
It won’t be long now, gardeners. Not long now.
