The more I learn about Monsanto and its seed patenting, genetic modifying and monopolistic tendencies, the more I worry about where our food supply is headed. As such, I eagerly accepted my friend’s invitation to visit the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Bank in Petaluma.

The Seed Bank is fittingly located in a beautiful historic 1920’s building in downtown Petaluma that previously housed a Sonoma County branch of Bank of America. The high vaulted ceilings make idyllic browsing amongst the rows and rows of seeds.

Perhaps most impressive were the number of varieties of cucumbers and eggplants. Amazing when you consider the typical grocery offers one, maybe two varieties of each vegetable at most. Here they housed over 30 varieties of cucumbers alone, such as the Hmong Red, Parisian Pickling or one of our favorites, the Jaune Dickfleischige.

And eggplants! With over 40 varieties of eggplants, I was astounded to learn that eggplants come in all shapes and sizes, and often resemble tomatoes. Biodiversity, represent!

All and all, the Seed Bank offers over 1400 varieties of seeds. In addition to vegetables, they offer a large swathe of flower and herb seeds, as well as gifty-type products such as pickles, aprons and postcards, or more utilitarian items in the form of gardening tools or “how-to” books.

Luckily, many other heirloom seed companies exist throughout the country. My mother raves about the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa and many offer mail-order. I highly recommend jumping on the heirloom seed bandwagon when planting this spring season. You too could grow Chioggia Beets and Purple Podded Pole Beans!

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