Carrots have not always been orange. Originally, I think that they were yellow or white. I discovered yellow carrots in a German garden center in 1997. They were imported seed from Russia. Later, I learned that yellow carrots are the norm for parts of Russia and as many as 12 different varieties may be available as seeds in some stores. From those that I brought back from Germany, they were more tasty than any of our red-orange types with a sweeter parsnip or parsley root flavor. After dropping the right words to some people at Jung's, they now have them in stock. They are calling them Yellowstone Hybrid but I was not aware of any yellow carrot seeds available except from Russia and none were hybrids. Anyway, Jung's is offering a free trial packet with any purchase. There are about 200 seeds per packet. Test germination on one showed about 90%. At same time, I am awaiting a private shipment from Germany of my favorite yellow carrot. I have access to a significant quantity of these trial packets from Jung's and would like spread them around among my fellow Countrysiders. Between now and 7 April, 2002, I will send a packet to any serious gardener requesting them and for as long as the supply lasts. 70 packets on hand today to begin the project. I am in no way connected with Jung's so this is not an advertising gimic. No strings and I eat the postage! Do not put your address on the Forum. E-mail message me DIRECT with a mailing address and the subject of the message being "Yellow Carrots". Again, deadline is 7 April so as to give me time to prepare the envelopes and get them out in time for early planting.

Spring is here! Happy gardening!

-- Martin Longseth (paquebot@merr.com), March 30, 2002

Answers

First wave of requests all handled with some special ones being held for arrival of authentic Russian seed as well. Expected and set up for a real deluge of requests but only got a nice shower. About 40 pieces of mail ready to go out so far. Later packets that I got from Jung's have 80-90 seeds so sending 2 of them to get closer to the approximate 200 seeds as I promised. Offer is still good through 7 April.

Addenda information for Jung's customers. A fire destroyed one of their warehouses in Randolph, WI several days ago. Affected were garden supplies, mailing material, and catalogs. Local manager does not know if mail order customers will experience any delays in shipments.

-- Martin Longseth (paquebot@merr.com), March 31, 2002.

This past weekend, 3 messages came in that somehow did not download properly into the In Box. If anyone sent a message with their name and address and did NOT get a reply from me to acknowledge, please try again. I don't want someone watching their PO mail box for yellow carrot seed next week when their address never reached me.

Blame Bill Gates!

-- Martin Longseth (paquebot@merr.com), April 01, 2002.