Potatoes and Trees

Now what do those two things have in common, you might ask? The answer is that it's time for you Missourians (or Kansans) to put in your orders if you're looking to expand your orchard or plant organic potatoes this Spring. These both go fast, so don't dilly-dally around!

Bulk Seed Potatoes from Cultivate KC

 A great organization here in KC called "Cultivate Kansas City" puts together a combined order for Kansas City area growers with Potato Garden so you can get certified organic and certified natural potatoes at a bulk rate.  These are non-GMO and are naturally grown without the use of chemicals, pesticides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers.  They're also guaranteed to be disease free.

Now for the particulars of how this works:

1. You must purchase a minimum of 50 pounds total, although you can specify a mix of varieties.
2. Click here to view the catalog and place your order.  You can pay with PayPal immediately or mail a check in (the check must be received within 3 business days). 
3. Processing Fee:  There is a $5.00 processing fee for each order (this is hidden on your invoice but will show up when you pay online.)
4. Shipping costs: are paid when you pick up the potatoes (around 30 cents per pound).
5. Sales tax:  If you are a gardener growing for personal consumption, you must pay Wyandotte County Sales Tax of 8.925% upon pickup.  If you are a farmer and will be selling the potatoes you grow then you must fill out the Agricultural Exemption Certificate upon pickup.  If you work with a non-profit, school or religious organization and hold a Tax Entity Exemption Certificate with the Kansas Department of Revenue, you must present a copy of your Tax Exempt Certificate and pay for your order with a company check in order to be tax exempt.
6. Pickup:  When the seed potatoes arrive (usually sometime in March, depending on weather), you pick up your order on the scheduled day. As soon as we know the delivery date, we will schedule one day only for pickup. If you cannot attend, you must send someone to pick up your order.  The pick-up location will be determined based on the size of the order, but will be at or near the Gibbs Road Farm (4223 Gibbs Road, Kansas City, KS).

Tree Orders from the Missouri Department of Conservation

Just a reminder that we are well into the period where you can order some free tree or shrub seedlings from MODOC.  As usual, they are offering a  wide variety of shade, ornamental, and edible tree seedlings.  The price per pack of 10 year-old seedlings is $6 to $64, depending on variety. Orders can be submitted via Internet, mail or fax and must be received by April 30, 2013. 

For more information and the order form, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/seedling-orders-and-planting-guide/seedling-order-how.

Note from Cranky:  J.'s stepfather has planted almost his entire acreage with walnut and pecan trees through this program and we're considering starting to plant on our 40 acres so the trees will be established when we build our house.  This program is an extremely cheap way to get some quality tree seedlings.  They're around 12" to 18" tall when you receive them, so they'll take some time to grow up and be fruitful.  If you're interested, get started now because they usually run out of the most popular very early.