Hit the Dirt; Organic Seed

Hello. And welcome to the last hit the show for 1901 last month I highlighted some of the nonprofit companies that I like to do business with as a way of helping some worthy causes. At the same time I buy the supplies I need for the garden. Well there is one nonprofit I did not cover but I'd like to tell you about while there's still time to order their catalog for this winter's garden planning. The company's called garden and it is based in western Montana. Gordon is the fund raising business with a down home project of living. The focus of the small grassroots nonprofit organization is to help people help themselves and particularly in these hard times. I think there are direct local solutions to social economic environmental problems can have a big impact throughout the year they give a number of educational talks and workshops on home food preservation composting organic gardening building low cost solar water heaters and other topics relating to living. The folks at the down home project also run an urban demonstration site in Missoula as a model for self-reliant urban living as well as manage

community gardens. To give those without arable land a chance to grow their own food. In addition the downhome project has started up gardening programs both for Head Start children and low income families. What's more some of the food grown in town homes gardens go to Mizzou food bank to help those in need to help pay for all of these good programs. The group raises funds through its Garden City seed company. The company prides itself on offering only Montana Hardy seeds so the focus is on varieties well adapted to short seasons and of course that is just what Maine gardeners are looking for too. In fact according to a chart in the catalog would list the first and last frost states for various locations throughout Montana. The growing season for Garden City seeds on trial gardens corresponds almost exactly to that of my own gardens. Thus the rides they carry should flourish here in Maine as well. I find the garden catalogue quite complete. They offer a wide selection of vegetable crops and varieties. Flowers herbs cover crops and grains as well as roots and tubers

in line with the organization's concerns for preservation. All the varieties listed are open pollinated So the gardeners can save their own seed. In addition to seeds garden supplies such as season extenders organic fertilizer and ecological pest control products and books are all available from Garden City seeds ecological Pest Control section is one of the most complete I've seen in any garden catalogue. But along with all the selections the catalogue dishes up lots of useful information. And for me that is the sign of a great garden catalogue. The catalogue includes detail cultural instructions for each crop Plus many tips and explanations regarding pest control seed saving potting soils and more. And on top of all that the prices are quite reasonable. So if you're looking for yet another valuable gardening resource I would recommend that you check out this catalogue. The address to send away for a copy is Garden City seeds 1 3 2 for Red Crow Road Victor Montana 5 9 8 7 5 9

7 1 3. The address again is Garden City seeds 1 3 2 4. Red Crow Road Victor Montana and the zip is 5 9 8 7 5 9 7 1 3. And while the Garden City catalogue has me itching to get my hands in the dirt again weeding the down home projects newsletters is inspirational as well. Down to earth people helping people endeavors are the key to building an vitalizing strong local communities. Well the folks at Down Home Project are working exclusively in the greater Montana region a long ways from Maine. I'm still glad to see my garden expense dollars helping them for their efforts. And of course in the new year ahead of us we can all seek out and support those groups and individuals down East which are making similar commitments to fostering security goodwill and a true sense of community in our own region. Well I wish you all a very new year full of gardening pleasure. And happy growing.

Up.