Ordering ethnic vegetable seeds

Sunset, April, 1989

Most of the vegetables described on pages 106 to 108 aren't readily available in nurseries; you'll have to start them from seed. In mild climates, now is a good time; in cold climates, wait until late spring. If you want eggplant, peppers, or tomatoes, buy transplants (in most climates, it's too late to start these from seed).

Where to get seeds

Catalogs are free unless otherwise noted.

Asian

EvergreenY.H. Enterprises, Box 17538, Anaheim, Calif. 92817. Catalog $1 (refunded with order). More than 70 kinds of Chinese and Japanese vegetables.

Kitazawa Seed Co., 1748 Laine Ave., Santa Clara, Calif. 95051; (408) 249-6778. About 50 kinds of Asian vegetables.

Sunrise Enterprises, Box 10058, Elmwood, Conn. 06110. More than a hundred kinds of Asian vegetables; also gardening books, tools, and vegetable fact sheets. Catalog $1 (stamps OK), deductible from first order.

Tsang and Ma International, Box 294, Belmont, Calif. 94002; (415) 595-2270. More than 40 varieties from China and Japan; Oriental cookware, stir fry sauces.

European

The Cook's Garden, Box 65054, Londonderry, Vt. 05148. Catalog $1. Specializes in lettuce and salad greens from Europe; also sells seeds of warm-season vegetables and special varieties from Italy.

Shepherd's Garden Seeds, 6116 Highway 9, Felton, Calif 95018; (408) 335-531). Catalog $1. Dozens of vegetable varieties, including many special Italian types.

International

Le Marche Seeds International Box 190, Dixon, Calif. 95620; (916) 678-9244. Sells a wide variety of seeds from around the world, including packets from the French seed house, Vilmorin.

Nicols Garden Nursery, 1190 N. Pacific Highway, Albany, Ore. 97321; (503) 9289280. Sells many international and domestic seeds, as well as flowers, herbs, and garden supplies.

Redwood City Seed Co., Box 361, Redwood City, Calif. 94064; (415) 325-7333. Catalog $1. More than 150 kinds from Asia, Europe, and Mexico.

Seeds Blum, Idaho City Stage, Boise 83706. Dozens of heirloom kinds from around the world. Free price list; catalog $2.

Mexican

Native Seeds/SEARCH, 2509 N. Campbell Ave., #325, Tucson 85719. Catalog $1. Native crops and wild relatives from the Southwest and Mexico.

Plants of the Southwest, 1812 Second St., Santa Fe 87501; (505) 983-1548. Catalog $1.50. Large selection of ancient American and Mexican varieties. Also herbs and wildflowers.