I am so pleased to present this curated collection of seeds for you. This is a selection of the vegetable varieties that have performed the best for me gardening in the extremely hot summers and frosty winters of Joshua Tree, CA (Southwestern high desert). I have harvested many of these seeds from thriving plants in my very own garden. What inspired me to sell the seeds that have worked well for me is that it is extremely complicated to figure out what will grow in super hot climates. Hardiness zones do not enlighten us. Even the new AHS Heat Zones cap out at 86 degrees, leaving desert dwellers and increasingly more people all over the country wondering if plants will survive summers over 100+ degrees. The only way to find out is through experimentation. And that is where I come in. I have been experimenting in my garden for over 8 years in Joshua Tree. And these seeds are my chosen favorite extremophiles. I hope you enjoy and wish you a bountiful harvest.
Love, Nisha Maxwell
ABOUT NISHA MAXWELL
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, DESERT FARMER
& HORTICULTURIST
QUALIFICATIONS:
I hold a B.A. in Graphic Design and Art Theory and will have completed a minor in Sustainable Horticulture from Oregon State University by September 2023. I also hold a Permaculture Design Certificate, certified by Permaculture Institute of North America through Oregon State University with Andrew Millison. I run a California Licensed nursery out of my Joshua Tree studio and am a Certified Producer for vegetables and microgreens in Los Angeles and San Bernardino County as well as a certified Egg Handler by California State.
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BIO:
I love plants and I love the desert. You would think that those two things would be contradictory, but as it turns out there are many amazing plants that can be grown in this climate for beauty and for food! You just have to pick the right plants. I also love drawing - especially drawing plants. So, landscape design and helping people grow food are the obvious things for me to do for a living. Hailing from San Francisco originally, I now live in Joshua Tree by way of Boston, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I have a little homestead with my artist boyfriend, a 2,000 square foot vegetable garden, 16 chickens, 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and many more creatures!
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WHAT'S GROWING IN THE NURSERY?
I grow seedlings (mostly annual vegetables and herbs) during the major planting seasons and sell them to my neighbors. The seeds I use are heirlooms that have been bred to handle our hot summers and cold winters. These are sourced from my own garden, the Native Seed Exchange in Arizona for summer planting and the High Desert Seed Bank in Colorado for winter planting. I use no pesticides, organic soil and no artificial lighting. It is a pure joy.
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Nicole G, Salon Owner
Fairfax, CA.
“Nisha was wonderful to work with - she really understood my concerns and desires for my home landscaping and came up with beautiful creative solutions which is going to give my property lush jungle vibes while still being waterwise. I’m especially excited about the banana and palm lined walkway and the contemplation herb spiral. I highly recommend Nisha as a designer.”