Take a Stand with Family Farmers Against Monsanto!

We’re in Washington D.C. for the oral arguments today, as the fight goes on in the lawsuit against Monsanto. We’ve joined the other plaintiffs here: an amazing group of farmers, seed companies, and sustainable agricultural organizations. You can get involved too: there will be a Citizen’s Assembly of Support today, January 10th, at 10 a.m. at Lafayette Square in Washington D.C.

If you can’t make it to D.C. today, you can add your voice to the Food Democracy Now! Petition in Support of Family Farmers Against Monsanto.

Successions and the Fall Garden

When you place your seed order this winter, be sure to plan ahead for succession plantings and summer plantings for the fall and winter garden. .That way, you can order the appropriate packet sizes to get you through the whole planting season. You can save money on shipping by making fewer seed orders or by ordering bulk sizes.

We have several resources for planning your succession plantings and hot weather plantings. The following two blog posts are good places to start:

• Succession Planting Warm-Season Crops for Hot Summers
• Fall & Winter Garden Planning

Winter Roots Soup Recipe

Ira was just having dinner at the home of friends in Charlottesville, Virginia, and put together this hearty recipe for a winter vegetable soup. We love how adaptable it is: choose your preferred herbs, spices, and winter vegetables, and make your own variations. The green kale added just at the end of cooking really brightens up the bowl!

• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 quarts vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 6 potatoes, quartered and cut in medium slices (we used Yukon Gold)
• 1 celeriac, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 3 carrots, sliced into half rounds
• 1 parsnip, diced
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
• fresh or dried herbs: sage, thyme, or rosemary to taste
• 1 cup coarsely chopped kale

Heat the garlic and onion with the olive oil over medium-low heat in a Dutch oven or heavy pot, until the onions turn translucent. Then add all the remaining ingredients except the chopped kale and bring to a boil. Allow the soup to simmer for a half hour, until the sweet potatoes, potatoes, and squash are soft and beginning to thicken the broth. Add the kale and continue to simmer for about 5 more minutes, until the kale reaches the desired tenderness.

Our New Online Garden Planner Tool

Get the help you need to plan your garden and stick with plan. Our simple, powerful online tool helps manage your garden throughout the season and from year to year.
Try it free for one month >>

Upcoming Events

This year we are donating 10% of all winter event sales to the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA). This organization is a powerful force for promoting the availability of sustainable, organic seeds.

Gifts That Give Twice

Our Virginia Heritage Seed Collection comes with 12 varieties rich in flavor and history, with 30% of sales going to the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC).

30% of your purchase price also goes to PEC with the Rainbow Starters Mix, a colorful mix of 10 easy-to-grow varieties, great for families and beginning gardeners.