The seed packages have arrived from Ukraine. Two deliveries to two addresses, work and home, to give them every chance. Many packets from organicseeds.top, in the centre of the war-torn country. Of course I over-ordered, but I feel a need to support them.
There’s our favourite Painted Mountain corn to replace the Mexican blue maize shoots the pigeons have already eaten. I will sow some at home in pots as well as in a small block on the site. There are two packets of classic Grandpa Otto morning glory seed, though I am yet unsure where it will grow. There’s a classic calendula and frilly Giant Sungold sunflowers for the allotment bees and me.
Two huge packets of mammoth dill are currently challenging me. They’re the summer scent and taste of Henriette’s Danish childhood. Some I will take to the beach house and try to figure out later where best to sow them. Plus, there are another three types of amaranth (Fox Tails, Popping, Elena’s Rojo) to supplement the saved seed we have.
It wasn’t as though we really need the seed. It is much more that somehow growing their organic open-pollinated crops seems a (very) small act of solidarity.
There is, of course, no airmail now out of Ukraine, so if you order be prepared to wait a while for your delivery (mine took close to two months). Note: much of the seed comes with an advisory on shelf life (tomatoes, cucumbers: five years, the Ukrainian pumpkin: 10).
Also, be ready to receive more seed than you ordered. Both packs came with gifts. I am currently struggling to find a home for Ukrainian heritage pumpkin, cucumber and courgette. There are worse problems. Particularly in Ukraine. I count my packets and blessings.
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