Seeds Packets & Bulk Cover Crops
"My favorite product that Common Ground offers is their wonderful selection of "Vegetable Seeds". Common Ground works very hard to have an excellent variety and supply of vegetable seeds that will yield plants that grow extremely well in the Bay Area. I have bought these seeds every year for twenty years and find them to be invaluable."
Rick DeGolia, Atherton
We carry as many open-pollinated seeds as possible. There are a few of your favorite tomato and corn varieties (Labeled F1 on jars and packets). Open-pollinated seeds produce plants for which pollination happens by wind, insects, or other natural means. The diversity of genetic material maintains the overall vigor of a particular plant variety. F1 hybrid seeds are the first generation of plants resulting from a controlled cross between parents that are genetically different. They are sometimes more productive and vigorous and can be more uniform than open pollinates.
Select from a bountiful diverse selection of seed packets including Seed Savers Exchange, Renee's Garden, Nichols Garden Seeds, Irish Eyes Seed Potatoes (seasonal), Larner's Seeds, and Pacific Coast Seeds. Stop by the center to see the newest collection. We carry as many organic seeds as possible.
Cover crop seeds are self-serve, honor system, where you label and price your own packets. A cost saving.
Bulk Cover Crops (Compost Crops, Green Manure)
| Name | Description |
|
Alfalfa
|
Deep-rooted perennial for long-term use. Plant fall or spring. Fixes Nitrogen. Takes drought. Coverage: 1 T=0.5 oz. per 100 s.f. |
| Annual Rye Grass |
Plant any time, especially early winter. Protects and loosens soil. Doesn't fix nitrogen. Reseeds. Coverage: 2.33 Tbsp per 100 s.f. |
| Buckwheat |
Great summer compost crop. Very fast growing. Doesn't fix nitrogen. Full sun. Coverage: 6.5 T= 3oz. Per 100 s.f. |
| Cereal Rye Grass |
Annual, to 7'. Nearly best crop for improving soil structure. Plant in Fall. Coverage: 5.25 Tbsp per 100 s.f. |
| Crimson Clover |
Annual, usually planted in fall. 6-30". Brilliant red flowers. Part shade ok. Fixes nitrogen. Coverage: 2 T = 1 oz per 100 s.f. |
| Fava Bean |
* Edible crop; compost crop * 2-4' annual bean. Fall. Frost resistant. Coverage: 2-3 c. per 100 s.f. |
| Mustard |
Yellow-flowered plant opens heavy soil, attracts beneficial insects. Plant in fall or spring. Coverage: 3 T = 1.5 oz per 100 s.f. |
| Red Oats |
2-4' annual. Tolerates poor soil. Needs some irrigation. Doesn't fix nitrogen. Spring or Fall. Coverage: 8 T = 3oz per 100 s.f. |
| Strawberry Clover |
Perennial. Fixes nitrogen. Good for erosion control. Needs some irrigation. Plant fall or spring. Coverage: 2 T = 1 oz. per 100 s.f. |
| Vetch - Purple |
Short, viney, purple-flowered plant fixes nitrogen. Often planted with fava beans. Coverage: 3/4 c = 7 oz per 100 s.f. |
| Vetch - Wooly |
Hardy annual, outgrows weeds, tolerates poor soil and cold. Fall. Coverage: 3/4 c = 7 oz per 100 s.f. |
| White Clover |
Perennial. Fixes nitrogen. Good lawn. Good for bees, beneficials. Coverage: 2 T = 1 oz. per 100 s.f. |