Seed Sources

Being a good time to start planning my garden, and flipping though various catalogs that have arrived, a friend asked my sources for medieval seeds, and this is what I wrote to him:

Most important and highest recommendations go Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, IA  www.seedsavers.org  They have a catalog for the public, but members share seeds with each other, and that gives you access to over 13,000 varieties!  Also, the work they do is essential to the future of our foodstuffs.  I got my skirrets from a fellow member in colorado.

I am also partial to Bountiful Gardens, www.bountifulgardens.org  who also do good work, and have many medieval plants (many that modern gardeners consider weeds)

For print catalogs, you can't beat Baker Creek  www.rareseeds.com.  Big, glossy, wonderful pictures.  Jere Gettle has done a lot of work to save and propegate unusual varieties.  He is in it for the money, but the man has to eat too.

Also there is Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, NJ  I know not their catalog or website as I just go there.  Cyrus and his family do a great job, with a wide range of plants.
Please tell them I sent you.

As to those with little space or time, that is not a problem!  It is best to start small,one potted plant is not too tiny!  Gardening can take a great deal of time, money and energy, and the larger it is the more so.  Start small so you may build upon your success. 

You may also be interested in the medieval gardening yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/medievalgardening

Kufenschrank, or footed cabon

Here is my interpretation of a 14c footed armoire or cabon. The door still needs a final fitting in the opening before the hinges can be mounted. It is just sitting on its feet, yet is surprisingly stable

Cabon

Here is another view. It nearly reaches to the ceiling of the shop

More cabon

Added top piece which is a brace but also a rod mount

Kufenschrank

Hello. Some small progress made today on the cabon. I found the mirror that goes inside the door and made and mounted the brackets that will hold it in place. The mirror will have to be removed for storage as its thickness was not accounted for when designing the case. As such the brackets are not as wide as the mirror so that they will fit in between the side panels when it is folded up.

And this is my first post from my phone!

snow today

good weather for oogling gardening catalogs...

For the solstice...

a flood.  Not in the garden, but to it.  It had gone down by late on the 21st.

and tonight,  snow.

a white christmas!

peace be with you