OurLocalBusiness - Territorial Seed Company - 09/04/07
by robertclack
CRESWELL – “Gardening is Cool,” states Tom Johns owner of Territorial Seed in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Before purchasing the business in 1984 with his wife Julie, they had an ice cream stand, traveling to different venues to sell their cool product. Now, they are in the middle of another kind of "gardening cool," encouraging others to garden when it is cold.
The John’s, with an active interest in gardening, took over the business from Steve Solomon, author of “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades,” a kind of Gardeners Bible. Solomon founded the business in 1929 on his five-acre homestead, and his goal was to offer a variety of seeds designed to grow well in the Maritime Northwest. This mission remains a core business principle of Territorial Seed Company and the John's.
TSC-logo-wreath-SCThe business, which promotes self-sufficiency twelve months out of the year, began offering two separate versions of their catalogue in the late 80’s, one specifically for the Maritime Northwest and one for the rest of the county with both including cultural information, a unique highlight of Territorial publications to expand the base of gardeners (customers).
Another unique aspect to Territorial is their 44-acre trial grounds located in London, Oregon which produces the largest portion of seeds distributed to their customers, and also produces “plant starts” of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and more which are shipped throughout the country.
Territorial has progressed with the times, and internet sales represent the largest part of their business which has increased the variety of their offerings including “The Gardener’s Tool Shed” which, when open, includes both the important and unique tools for the “Home Gardener,” who represents 95% of their business.
“Everything is important to each other,” describes Josh Kirschenbaum, of Territorial Seed adding “symbiotic” when describing all the business facets of the company. This is an interesting parallel to Territorial’s “gardening philosophy” which encourages its customers to be more self-sufficient and assist by offering more gardening choices in addition to their personalized service, all designed to improve the result for their customers although most still are “hoping everything will work together,” a hope that doing business with Territorial provides.
“Our future involves preserving the past,” states Kirshenbaum drawing an analogy explaining why the Territorial varieties “continue to do so well,” in the face of larger competitors who offer a slicker image versus Territorial which purposely maintains a “foot in the past.”
Recently Territorial purchased Abundant Life Seeds which specializes in Certified Organic Seeds. Their tag line, “Protecting the genetic diversity of rare and endangered seeds since 1975,” describes their commitment. In their nostalgic catalogue they point out that “the average vegetable travels 1500 miles from farm to fork. Each heirloom tells a story of the significance that families gave to saving the very best seed of their favorite and reliable varieties.” This certainly is in stark contrast to varieties bred by growers to make a grueling 1500 mile trip vs a few feet to the dinner table. The home gardener gets “to taste the difference.”
employeeTerritorial produces a Winter Catalogue which highlights varieties equipped to weather a winter in varying degrees and are one of only a handful of companies producing a catalogue in the winter.
“Hardy seeds for year ‘round gardening," a challenge that Territorial has provided the answers to for many years. They invite you to join them in a rewarding gardening and eating experience.
Locally, Territorial maintains a store where many additional items, not included in the catalogue, make there way to the neat, well-organized shelves found at 20 Palmer, Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Finally, Territorial has a team of employees, willing and able, to serve "the home gardener."
Territorial Store
20 Palmer
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Store Hours:
Nov-Feb M-Sat 8:00-4:30
Mar M-Sat 8:00-5:30
Apr-May M-Fri 8:00-7:00
Apr-May Sat 8:00-5:30
Jun-Oct M-Sat 8:00-5:30
Feb-Sept Sun 9:00-4:00
Oct-Jan Sun Closed
by robertclack
CRESWELL – “Gardening is Cool,” states Tom Johns owner of Territorial Seed in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Before purchasing the business in 1984 with his wife Julie, they had an ice cream stand, traveling to different venues to sell their cool product. Now, they are in the middle of another kind of "gardening cool," encouraging others to garden when it is cold.
The John’s, with an active interest in gardening, took over the business from Steve Solomon, author of “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades,” a kind of Gardeners Bible. Solomon founded the business in 1929 on his five-acre homestead, and his goal was to offer a variety of seeds designed to grow well in the Maritime Northwest. This mission remains a core business principle of Territorial Seed Company and the John's.
TSC-logo-wreath-SCThe business, which promotes self-sufficiency twelve months out of the year, began offering two separate versions of their catalogue in the late 80’s, one specifically for the Maritime Northwest and one for the rest of the county with both including cultural information, a unique highlight of Territorial publications to expand the base of gardeners (customers).
Another unique aspect to Territorial is their 44-acre trial grounds located in London, Oregon which produces the largest portion of seeds distributed to their customers, and also produces “plant starts” of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and more which are shipped throughout the country.
Territorial has progressed with the times, and internet sales represent the largest part of their business which has increased the variety of their offerings including “The Gardener’s Tool Shed” which, when open, includes both the important and unique tools for the “Home Gardener,” who represents 95% of their business.
“Everything is important to each other,” describes Josh Kirschenbaum, of Territorial Seed adding “symbiotic” when describing all the business facets of the company. This is an interesting parallel to Territorial’s “gardening philosophy” which encourages its customers to be more self-sufficient and assist by offering more gardening choices in addition to their personalized service, all designed to improve the result for their customers although most still are “hoping everything will work together,” a hope that doing business with Territorial provides.
“Our future involves preserving the past,” states Kirshenbaum drawing an analogy explaining why the Territorial varieties “continue to do so well,” in the face of larger competitors who offer a slicker image versus Territorial which purposely maintains a “foot in the past.”
Recently Territorial purchased Abundant Life Seeds which specializes in Certified Organic Seeds. Their tag line, “Protecting the genetic diversity of rare and endangered seeds since 1975,” describes their commitment. In their nostalgic catalogue they point out that “the average vegetable travels 1500 miles from farm to fork. Each heirloom tells a story of the significance that families gave to saving the very best seed of their favorite and reliable varieties.” This certainly is in stark contrast to varieties bred by growers to make a grueling 1500 mile trip vs a few feet to the dinner table. The home gardener gets “to taste the difference.”
employeeTerritorial produces a Winter Catalogue which highlights varieties equipped to weather a winter in varying degrees and are one of only a handful of companies producing a catalogue in the winter.
“Hardy seeds for year ‘round gardening," a challenge that Territorial has provided the answers to for many years. They invite you to join them in a rewarding gardening and eating experience.
Locally, Territorial maintains a store where many additional items, not included in the catalogue, make there way to the neat, well-organized shelves found at 20 Palmer, Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Finally, Territorial has a team of employees, willing and able, to serve "the home gardener."
Territorial Store
20 Palmer
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Store Hours:
Nov-Feb M-Sat 8:00-4:30
Mar M-Sat 8:00-5:30
Apr-May M-Fri 8:00-7:00
Apr-May Sat 8:00-5:30
Jun-Oct M-Sat 8:00-5:30
Feb-Sept Sun 9:00-4:00
Oct-Jan Sun Closed