Tobacco and companion plants

Tobacco plays nicely with other plants - here with purple coneflower and bronze fennel. Both provide lovely textural and color accents as they attract beneficial insects. So far this summer at Gowanus Projects we’ve been graced with many bumblebees as well as more than a few honeybees, which makes us wonder who may be keeping hives nearby.

The tobacco doesn’t have flowers yet, but it won’t be long now before the buds emerge from the top of the plant.

No flower buds yet... but not long now

Seventy-one day old tobacco plant, ready for planting

Tobacco makes a dramatic ornamental plant that grows well in the garden or in large containers. If you didn’t get around to starting your own seeds, but would like to grow your own plant(s), we can arrange to send plants your way while supplies last. Send us an email at postmaster[at]gowanusprojects[dot]com, or leave us a comment. Our customary free shipping does not apply to plant orders, sorry. If you are in the Gowanus, Brooklyn area we are happy to arrange for pickup from our headquarters.

Twenty-six day old tobacco seedlings in our germination facility

Here in our Brooklyn headquarters, we started our first crop of seeds on March 14. Spring could not come soon enough for us!

No matter your location, there’s still plenty of time to start your own seeds for spring planting. Visit our store to purchase our Burley tobacco seeds - as always, all profits support the creation and advancement of exciting new works of contemporary art.

Or, if starting seeds is not for you, contact us by April 30 by sending an email to postmaster[at]gowanusprojects[dot]com. We can arrange to send plants within the continental US, while supplies last. Our customary free shipping will not apply to plant orders, sorry.

Gowanus Gold seeds

Seeds for 2009 planting are now available! Purchase them on-line at our store or in person at Spring, the design and art emporium in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood.

New this season, our handmade packaging now features letterpress printing on kozo paper. As always, we donate 100% of our profits to support the creation and advancement of exciting new works of contemporary art.

Please note, strong winds and ensuing plant damage in 2008 have resulted in a smaller seed crop this year than in previous seasons. So, place your orders early to guarantee your own Gowanus Gold™.

As always, we are dedicated to building powerful synergistic partnerships with a broad spectrum of enterprises. If your organization would like to partner with us, we would like to hear from you.

Tobacco plant grows amid flowering fennel

Swallowtail caterpillar feeds on fennel

Katydid on tobacco leaf

Tobacco seedling

Due to high germination rates on our Gowanus Gold™ seeds, we currently have more tobacco plants than we can grow! Ready for planting and available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. To arrange for pickup or shipping from our Brooklyn headquarters, contact postmaster[at]gowanusprojects[dot]com.

editor’s note, July 2008: sorry, free plants are no longer available

We are dedicated to building powerful synergistic partnerships with a broad spectrum of enterprises. If your organization would like to partner with us, we would like to hear from you.