Bentley Seed Co. Blog

A Comprehensive Guide to Growing Wildflowers

by Lucinda on Mar 04 2024

Introducing wildflowers to your gardens adds beauty to your space while promoting a thriving ecosystem. From their inherent resilience to their role in supporting pollinators, native species offer so many benefits to help gardeners support the environment while growing a lovely low-maintenance garden. Read on for information and tips for adding wildflowers to your landscape.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Cultivating Resilience: The History & Modern Revival of Victory Gardens

by Lucinda on Jan 24 2024

Victory Gardens of Today - Once a staple of American resilience & sustainability during wartime, the Victory Garden of the early & mid-20th century has evolved to meet a very current approach toward self-sufficiency & a healthier way of life. Learn more in our most recent blog about how you can grow good food in any whatever space you may have available.

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Why Milkweed in the Northeast is so Important for Monarch Butterfly Survival

by Nina on Jan 12 2024

The Monarch Butterfly in the Northeast: A Fragile Beauty The Northeast region of the United States is home to many unique and beautiful butterfly species, including the iconic Monarch butterfly. These vibrant orange and black insects are renowned for their long-distance migrations and crucial role in the ecosystem. Sadly, Monarch populations are declining rapidly across North America, and one of the primary factors contributing to this decline is the disappearance of their primary food source: milkweed. The Milkweed Crisis: A Threat to Monarch Survival Native milkweed species throughout the Northeast, and indeed across the country, are facing severe decline. Herbicides and pesticides employed in large-scale agriculture are decimating these once-thriving plants. Additionally, habitat destruction due to development encroaching on natural areas is further reducing available milkweed growth. Climate change and extreme weather patterns also play a role in affecting milkweed availability. Without milkweed, the very survival of Monarch butterfly populations hangs in the balance. The Vital Role of Milkweed: A Butterfly’s Haven Milkweed holds paramount importance for the Monarch butterfly as it is the only plant on which they lay their eggs. Milkweed leaves contain cardenolides, a chemical toxic to most animals, but not to Monarch larvae. This inherent toxicity serves as a protective shield for the delicate eggs. Once hatched, the larvae ingest the milkweed, accumulating the cardenolides within their own bodies, making them unpalatable and even poisonous to potential predators. This protective mechanism, known as aposematism, allows the Monarch larvae to develop their signature bright coloration, warning predators of their toxicity. Northeast Milkweed Varieties: A Crucial Food Source The Northeast region supports a diverse range of milkweed species critical for Monarch butterfly conservation. The most prevalent species throughout the region is the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), thriving along roadsides and in open fields. For wetter habitats such as wetlands, the Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) provides vital sustenance. Another important variety is the Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), found in open fields and grassy meadows. These various species collectively represent a crucial food source for Monarch butterflies in the Northeast. Conservation Efforts: Protecting Milkweed and Saving Monarchs Fortunately, a dedicated effort is underway to protect native milkweed and restore its dwindling populations throughout the Northeast. Numerous conservation organizations are actively working to create Monarch butterfly habitats by planting regionally appropriate milkweed and other indigenous plants. These crucial efforts are essential for ensuring the survival of these beautiful pollinators and maintaining healthy ecosystems. How You Can Help: Actions for a Sustainable Future Beyond the work of dedicated organizations, individuals can also play a vital role in protecting milkweed and supporting pollinator populations in the Northeast. One of the most impactful actions you can take is to avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your gardens and yards. These chemicals harm not only milkweed but also other vital plants and insects. Instead, opt for organic or natural methods of pest and weed control. Planting native milkweed in your gardens and community areas is another powerful way to make a difference. Bentley Seeds now offers a diverse selection of native varieties specifically suited for your Northeast gardens and yards. By creating vibrant habitats with milkweed and other suitable plants, you can directly contribute to the preservation of the Monarch butterfly and its vital role in our ecosystem. Together, through proactive conservation efforts and individual action, we can ensure the continued existence of the remarkable Monarch butterfly in the Northeast and beyond. By protecting their essential milkweed habitat, we safeguard not only a stunning species but also the health and balance of our natural world. Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed in Saratoga Springs in August 2022

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Why Milkweed is so Important for Monarch Butterfly Survival

by Nina on May 25 2023

Planting milkweed and creating sanctuary habitats for Monarch butterflies is critical in preserving this beautiful species. By taking action to support milkweed and Monarch butterflies, we can make a difference in their conservation and contribute to the biodiversity of native plants across the country.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Gardening Zones in the US: A Guide to Growing in Your Climate

by Nina on May 09 2023

When it comes to gardening, one of the critical factors for success is to consider your climate. Different plants have different temperature and weather preferences, and what will thrive in one region will struggle or die in another. To help gardeners understand the unique characteristics of their local climate, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a system of gardening zones to differentiate the growing seasons in various regions across the country.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

The History of Bentley Seed and Seed Packets in Cambridge, NY

by Nina on May 08 2023

Since 1975, Bentley Seed Company has been in business to help people grow good things. A lead supplier for decades of vegetable, herb and flower seed packets, Bentley delivers a carefully curated collection of only-the-best seeds that seasoned gardeners can rely on, and beginning gardeners can easily find success growing.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Bentley’s Top Gifts for Gardeners

by Lucinda on Nov 23 2022

Bentley Seed Gift guide to shopping for Christmas and the holiday season and Black Friday Shopping. Includes ideas for gardeners.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Holiday Fresh-Herb Turkey Rub

by Nina on Oct 14 2022

Thanksgiving Turkey with Fresh Herbs One of the highlights of our family’s holiday dinners is always the big roasted turkey on the table. And our favorite way to prepare it is with fresh herbs grown from our Bentley Seed Holiday Essential Grow Stix Kit! There’s nothing better than a fresh herby do-it-yourself rub to bring out the flavor of a holiday bird! My daughters love helping in the kitchen, so this quick and easy recipe is the perfect way to add a little bit of their love into the meal. What a delicious way to “wow” your family this Holiday Season! Sage From Holiday Essentials Grow Stix Kit Ingredients: 1.) 1 (14-16 lb.) Turkey 2.) ¼ cup Olive Oil + 3 Tbsp reserved 3.) 3 Tsp Salt 4.) 1 Tsp Pepper 5.) 4 Tsp Fresh Thyme 6.) 4 Tsp Fresh Rosemary 7.) 4 Tsp Fresh Sage 8.) 4 Tsp Fresh Parsley 9.) 4 Tsp Minced Garlic 10.) 4 Tsp Minced Onion 11.) 1 Tbsp Dry White Wine 12.) Dash of Worcestershire & dash of Balsamic Vinegar Directions: 1.) Preheat oven to 325°F. 2.) Finely chop fresh herbs and add to a small bowl with salt & pepper. Add ¼ cup olive oil, minced onion and garlic, wine, Worcestershire and balsamic. Stir together until well mixed. 3.) Let mix marinate for several hours (or overnight if possible) for flavors to combine beautifully. 4.) Place turkey in a roasting pan. 5.) Season the turkey’s inner cavity with salt and pepper. 6.) Slip fingers between the skin and meat on the breast and legs to lift the skin and spread the herb mix under the skin from the front to the back of the turkey. You can rub some in the cavity for added flavor if desired. 7.) Using reserved olive oil, brush the outside of the turkey, and rub with any remaining rub mixture, or simply dust with salt and pepper, maybe a sprinkle of garlic powder. 8.) Place turkey in oven and roast until the thickest part reads between 165-170 degrees F, about 3 hrs. 9.) Once cooked, place turkey on a platter and cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 minutes. 10.) Slice and sprinkle with decorative sprigs of fresh herbs from your Bentley Windowsill Herb Garden and present to the table!

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Planting the Past with a “Three Sisters” Garden

by Lucinda on May 31 2022

Three Sisters garden with corn, squash and beans The history around our small community of Cambridge in northern New York is rich with agricultural lore and legend dating back centuries. The area was originally home to the Iroquois Five Nations, who were a mix of farmers, gatherers, fishers and hunters. The earliest and most important of Native American agricultural traditions was the custom of The Three Sisters. The Iroquois of the northeast, along with the southern Cherokee tribes, practiced companion planting of corn, beans and squash together in a sustainable and resourceful system that not only provided a healthy diet but also kept the soil rich and bountiful. Called “The Three Sisters” because the three plants nurture each other symbiotically, this tradition played a critical role in the Native American garden. This trio of plants thrived especially well together and provided high-yield, highly nutritious staples of their diet, and most efficiently utilized the land. These early farmers saved the best seeds from each harvest for the following season, resulting in the development of strong seeds ideally suited for the environment in which they had adapted. By the time European settlers reached the area, the indigenous people had developed the growing of these three crops into a central food system that the new settlers quickly adopted. Iroquois women traditionally tended the fields. In the late spring, they tilled the earth, planting corn in small, mounded hills first. A few weeks later, they planted beans in the same hills with squash circling the border of the mound. The cornstalks served as poles for the beans to grow upon, the beans stabilized the corn and supplied much-needed nitrogen to fertilize the soil for the corn and squash. The squash leaves provided ground cover for the corn and beans delivering shade and weed control. These three plants thrive better together than when planted alone. Planting a Three Sisters plot is a delightful way to honor American history and create a healthy garden. You will need a fairly large garden plot as these plants need to spread out a bit to flourish. Mound the soil about a foot high at the center and 3-4 feet wide, flattening the top of each mound at the center. Space your mounds at least four feet apart. Pearls and Gold Corn Start with hearty sweet corn with robust stalks for the beans to twine around. Plant the corn after the last frost of the season. Dig a small hole in the center of your mound and add a couple of corn seeds to each mound. Bean – Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean Seed When the corn seedlings are about 3-4” tall, plant your beans in the same mound. Select a pole bean, not a bush bean. Our heirloom variety Kentucky Wonder is a great choice—its tall, vigorous vines produce delicious beans that have been enjoyed for generations! Plant three or four bean seeds around each corn seedling. Early Summer Crookneck Squash A week later, plant your squash circling the outer edges of the mound. Choose a small-leaf variety such as our Black Zucchini or our Early Summer Crookneck. Space squash seeds evenly around the perimeter, creating six plantings (you might want to add a couple of squash seeds to each planting to ensure germination). Adding sunflowers alongside your mounds will attract pollinators and distract birds from the Three Sisters seeds while making your garden especially pretty. Plant the sunflowers at cross-sections between your mound hills. Pick from our bright yellow Lemon Queen, our staff-favorite Mammoth Seed, colorful Autumn Beauty, or better yet, choose our Sunflower All Sorts Mix to fill your garden with a gorgeous mix of sunflowers of all sizes! Planting a classic Three Sisters Garden is a wonderful family project, rich in storytelling, American history and gardening lore, along with important environmental teachings on sustainability, biodiversity and lessons in keeping your garden soil healthy.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

5 Great Good-Things-to-Grow Gifts for Mom

by Lucinda on Apr 26 2022

Great gifts for Mom- 5 great ideas for gardening gifts.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Spring Pea Salad

by Nina on Apr 11 2022

Recipe for a beautiful Spring Pea Salad.

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Nina's Garden Fresh Pesto

by Nina on Jul 13 2021

Nina’s Garden Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe Garden Fresh Pesto – Nina Ossont Ingredients:• 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves• 4 cloves garlic• ¾ cup grated Romano cheese• ½ cup olive oil• ¼ cup pine nuts• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley (Optional) Use Bentley Seed Herb Seed to grow your own Basil and Parsley! Steps:1. Combine basil, garlic, Romano or Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and nuts in the bowl of a food processor or blender.2. Blend to a smooth paste.3. Add parsley if desired. Pesto is one of my favorite things to make from my garden. My Genovese Basil was ready to harvest, so I decided to make some fresh basil. As luck would have it, I also had my Ace 55 tomatoes and parsley ready for harvesting as well. Its a truly lovely thing to walk out to your garden to get the things you need for a meal, especially on these warm summer days where you can smell and almost hear the humidity. What is really fun about herbs is you can trim them throughout the season, and they come back continually. I can be particularly precious about my plants, but I know I will get more parsley and basil if I stick to trim what I need when I need it, as well as keeping it from flowering. I decided to make pesto pasta for lunch for myself and my cousin Becca who was home with a tiny new baby named Ada. We are both ¼ Sicilian in our heritage and are very picky about Italian cuisine. Becca is a superior cook, but I wanted to make something for her as she now has her hands extra full! When I make pesto, I always use Romano cheese. I just think it has a great deep flavor. Sometimes I am more liberal with the oil. I ended up making a large batch- in for a penny in for a pound, right? My little Cuisinart 3-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor is not ideal for this much work! After this adventure I quickly upgraded to a large food processor. Maybe I should invest in the much larger Cuisinart 14-Cup Custom Food Processor. It’s so satisfying to smell fresh basil in the kitchen. Once all the basil, garlic, Romano cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, and parsley were blended, I tossed some into spaghetti, and topped it with a few chopped Ace 55 tomatoes. We had a lovely visit between the baby’s feeding times eating lunch on the shaded patio. It was a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon! Fresh Basil from Nina’s garden from Bentley Seed Genovese Basil Seed Pesto in Progress Processing the Pesto – we need a bigger Cuisinart! Pesto Pasta with Fresh Tomato’s from Bentley Seed’s Ace 55 Tomato Seed

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Lucinda’s Herby Citrus Grilled Vegetables Recipe

by Nina on Jul 12 2021

Lucinda’s Herby Citrus Grilled Vegetables Lucinda’s Herby Citrus Grilled Vegetables •¼ cup olive oil•2 tablespoons orange blossom honey•2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice•Zest of one lemon•2 garlic cloves, minced•1 tablespoon chopped oregano•2 tablespoons chopped parsley•1 teaspoon chopped thyme•½ teaspoon salt•¼ teaspoon ground black pepper•2 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise•2 medium yellow squash, sliced lengthwise•3 peppers, (2 sweet, 1 mild-hot) sliced lengthwise•1 eggplant, sliced•1 sweet onion, thickly sliced Steps:1. Whisk together olive oil, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, parsley, thyme, salt & pepper in a medium bowl.2. Toss sliced veggies with honey mixture until fully coated. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour.3. Preheat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Add vegetables, and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until as tender as desired. As soon as my long-time friend Lucinda shared this recipe with me, I knew I would love it. Herbs, citrus, and honey marinade- it just sounds like a summer-grilling winner. I had so much fun preparing it with my kids—they are 10 & 12 now so any job I can delegate to them I will! 10-year-old Tristan trimmed the thyme, the two kinds of parsley (Italian and Curled, because why not?) and oregano. We have an herb garden, and I was so happy I had all the herb ingredients on hand. It was sprinkling out, so rinsing off the herbs was a breeze! I chopped the herbs and the veggies while 12-year-old Rowan juiced the lemon. I was very careful not to touch my eyes after chopping the jalapeno we choose to use for our hot pepper. Lucinda recommends milder poblanos for hot peppers and I can see why after eating our result! Rowan whisked the herbs, oil, lemon, honey and garlic minced garlic together. Almost forgot the garlic, I feel like that is something I regularly do. I don’t know why, it’s so fun to use the garlic press. I highly recommend the Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Garlic Press! It’s so heavy duty and a cinch to clean. The whole family has been cooking a lot together since the pandemic and it’s been a very wonderful bonding experience for us. Gardening and eating what you grow has been such a simple way to find normalcy and calm during the past 18 months. We tossed our veggies and marinade together and placed them into the refrigerator for about an hour. Then my husband time took over with the grilling. As the onions came off the grill I started popping them like candy. They were so very sweet in the summery-est of ways. The honey was such a good call in the marinade, plus using the jalapeno as our hot pepper actually somehow infused a bit of heat to all the veggies, so they had this amazing honey sweet citrus spicy flavor. It was such a great taste, move over Bobby Flay! They kids loved it, I loved it and even my picky-eater husband loved it.We will be using this recipe again very soon—it’s the perfect go-to marinade on everything from veggies to chicken, pork or fish for all your summer grilling! Its super versatile too—simply switch up the veggies and herbs with whatever is in ready to harvest in the garden. You might also want to try it on some grilled peaches and/or nectarines (minus the garlic of course!). Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for a new favorite summer dessert! Italian Parsley Thyme, Parsley, and Oregano Herby Citrus Marinade Sliced Vegetables Grilling Vegetables HERBY CITRUS GRILLED VEGETABLES

Bentley Seed Co. Blog

Winter Outlook: What Should Gardeners do to Prepare and Closing Gardens

by Jeff Bentley on Mar 15 2019

Winterizing Garden As summer blossoms fade and the days become shorter, that means it’s time for gardeners to start preparing for the inevitable—WINTER. Depending on your point of view, and where you reside, you may or may not like the Farmers’ Almanac’s winter forecast for the U.S.: It may be cold and wet for much of the country, except in California and it’s neighboring states. Apparently, those of us who inhabit the area between the Great Lakes and the Northeast should prepare for “snowier-than-normal conditions.” (Editor’s note: UGH.) So, what to do to prepare for winter—both in order to ensure the survival of your perennials, as well as the health of the soil in the garden beds to get a running start in spring when the time comes to sow new plants—and when? For vegetable gardeners, we know it’s hard to think about winter while you’re still in the midst of dealing with your late summer harvest, but it’s a good idea to get a leg up on winter preparation before the weather turns. For example, now is the time to to clean up your vegetable beds, removing dead plants that will be a overwintering magnet for disease and insect pests. Add these dead plants to your compost pile, if you have the room. (Note: never add diseased or insect-plagued plants to your compost pile; dispose of them in the trash.) Some plants can remain: kale, cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower and radishes, vegetables in the brassica family that release cyanide compounds in early spring, killing off insect pests. And, speaking of compost, your soil will benefit from the addition of mature compost at this point, topped with a layer of fresh mulch in the form of shredded wood chips, straw or hay to protect it . Wait to apply mulch until it gets fairly cold outside, ensuring that unwanted critters, such as mice, have already found other cozy places to spend the winter. Kale Cabbage Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cauliflower As for preparing your flower beds, once there has been a killing frost, pull up dead annuals and selectively cut back your perennials to 3”. Note that cutting these plants back too soon could compromise them by cutting off the foliage that feeds their roots. Leave the stalks of perennials with distinct seed heads intact, including black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and sunflowers—they provide visual interest to your garden in the bleakness of winter, but more importantly, they provide essential food and sanctuary to birds and butterflies. Renew the mulch in your flower beds to maintain a 2-3 inch layer over the root system. Black Eyed Susan Purple Coneflower Sunflower Let’s face it. Most gardeners dread the end of summer and the gradual (or not, depending on where you live) onset of winter. We like to be outside planting and growing things; you can’t do that in winter—that is if you live in the northern half of the country. Still, winter does offer a silver lining to gardeners: really cold temperatures kill the insect pests that overwinter in the soil. While that may be all well and good, here’s hoping the Farmers’ Almanac winter forecast is wrong.

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Perfect for my mother’s birthday celebration!

As described

Perfect in every way.

Shipping issue

Not able to use product as it did not arrive in time. Customers should definitely reach out prior to ordering if they have a specific timeframe or have questions about shipping or potential returns. Please read the fine print and do not trust quoting shipping times.

Hi Amanda,
We are sorry you had a bad experience. We post lead times on our product pages and at checkout. We do our absolute best to get all orders out as quick as we can but sometimes order volume is higher than we intended. Hopefully you will give us another shot in the future.
All the best,
Katie Bentley (owner)

Bought Seeds for my mother's funeral, paid extra, but they arrived very late

I purchased a large number of Black-eyed Susan seed packets and paid extra for 2 day priority delivery. These were for my mother (Susan)'s funeral for people to take away as a gift from the service to plant as a perennial reminder of her life. They took six days to arrive so the day before the funeral I had to run around to four different stores to buy enough seed packets for the funeral. So, I ended up paying double and spending time and energy I didn't have at a difficult moment in my life. I will not use your company again.

Dear valued customer,
We are deeply sorry to hear about the experience you had. It is never our intention to cause any inconvenience or disappointment. We understand the importance of timely delivery, especially furring a difficult time. We apologize for the delay and any additional stress it may have caused.
We would like to make it right and offer you a full refund for the extra shipping charges you paid. We value your feedback and will take necessary steps to ensure this doesn't happen again in the future.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention and giving us the opportunity to improve. We hope you will consider giving us another chance in the future.
Sincerely,
Owner

Always have shipping issues due to decisions they make on their web site during placing an order

Always have shipping issues due to decisions they make on their web site during placing an order. This company has now become irritated with me about my address. They choose a site that automatically changes a real address to one that doesn't exist. Won't bother them with my money again.

Hi there, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for any shipping issues you have experienced due to our website's address auto-fill feature. We will definitely look into this and make the necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth ordering process for all of our customers. We value your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Thank you for your support.

Shocked to find the small amount of seeds in each packet

Shocked to find the small amount of seeds in each packet.

Hi there, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for any confusion or disappointment caused by the small amount of seeds in each packet. Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to help save the butterflies by providing high-quality seeds that have a high germination rate. We appreciate your feedback and will take it into consideration for future packaging. Thank you for supporting our cause.

Did not Germinate

Did not germinate

Hi there,

We are so sorry to hear that your Bee Kind did not germinate. We strive to provide high-quality products and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please reach out to our customer service team so we can assist you with a replacement or refund. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we hope to make it right for you.

Best,
Katie Bentley
Owner

Maybe bad seeds

Did not germinate.

We are sorry to hear that you had trouble with our onion seeds. Our team takes great care in ensuring the quality of our products, so we would like to investigate this further. Please reach out to our customer service team and we will be happy to assist you with a replacement or refund. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we hope to make things right for you.

Best regards,
Katie Bentley
Owner

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