Last year we started talking about seed companies and their catalogs. This year we continue, starting with Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE).
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange 2014 Cover
Beyond having a beautiful and whimsical cover, SESE specialized in varieties that grow well in mid-east and southern United States, AKA, hot humid summers. Historically, they have ties with Seed Saver’s Exchange, so they have a similar ethic of persevering heirloom varieties and encouraging people to save their own seed.
They have an outstanding variety and draw from small regional farms, some of whom are featured in their catalog. They have taken the Safe Seed Pledge, and are one of the 73 plaintiffs continuing their lawsuit against Monsanto, in OSGATA et al v. Monsanto.
Because they specialize in varieties for the south, you’ll find a larger selection of southern favorites including black-eyed peas (or cowpeas as they call them), okra, collards, peanuts and cotton (in various natural colors), than other catalogs. They have a pictorial designation for varieties well-suited to the southeast to help you find these quickly. They have many organic selections.
Here are 9 + varieties to try:
Rosella Purple tomato gives you full sized slicer taste on a determinate plant that can be grown in containers – yummyWe love Early White Bush Scallop summer squash. It is very productive all summer and seems to resist squash beetle attack longer than some other varieties.A must have for the lettuce bed is Sweet Valentine. We used to get this years ago from another company and loved it, so we are happy SESE has it. Sweet Valentine is a great all season variety that does well in summer’s heat when shaded, and also in a hoop house from fall into the winter.Neptune & Old Virginia red tomatoes are noted to produce well in hot humid summers. Neptune is pictured.SESE has an excellent section of popcorn. There is nothing like inviting friends over for a movie and serving home grown popcorn. We love Dakota Black (which pops white and is more like food than just a snack), but try more than one variety and compare.We have enjoyed two of their crisphead lettuces that are very different are from each other in look, but, both held up great in the fall garden, even with light frost. Try both Loma & Sierra. This is Sierra.Loma Chrisphead LettuceLike sweet potatoes ? They have a good selection of orange, white and purple fleshed varieties. They carry Bunch Porto Rico for those with smaller gardens because of its shorter more compact vines.Southern selections would have to include watermelon, and they have white, yellow, orange and red fleshed varieties. If you have the space, try Stone Mountain for old fashioned 30 pound melons.Ashe County Pimento sweet peppers are thick, juicy and delicious and can be grown in containers.
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