As spring approaches, I figure it's time to start thinking about the garden. I try to start almost everything from seed. So much cheaper, and so much more variety. I am hoping to get some good recommendations for favorite seed companies to order from. I've use Gurney's and Jung in the past, and really like both. But, their shipping charges (particularly Gurney's) are outrageous. Anyone have some good recommendations for a seed catalog company that they really like?
I patronize the/our local farm markets and usually get a better price than the catalogs. The place we go sells Burpees and a few other "brand names" That's why I don't do the catalogs because of shipping, I don't purchase enough to warrant the cost. Check the stores and also if your near a Tractor supply, they have great deals this time of year.
Rare Heirloom Seeds | Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds They carry heirloom seeds (grow true to type of you keep the seeds for the next year) as well as the fruits and vegetables that were commonly grown before shipping was commonly available. Note if they say contains 15 seeds it usually has 2-3x that many. At least that’s been my experience with green beans and tomatoes. Great germination rates also.
My wife is the farmer... I'm the guy with the shovel. She saves a lot of her own seeds, we save our own garlic (10 varieties)*, she has volunteered at Seed Savers Exchange in Iowa and does a lot of bartering with locals. * we had 19 varieties at one time.... things got mixed up. We have a brand new variety now; Three Dog Farm Mystery Garlic. In ten years we can call it an heirloom. To me Garlic is like the bacon of the vegetable world - it can go with anything.
I too think that the shipping charges are outrageous. I bought some seed off ebay this year and got free shipping and delivery was in 3 days. All from individuals. We will have to wait and see if the quality is there. I'm optimistic. Overall, very cheap.
Johnny's Selected Seeds for sure, but then again I can almost walk to it (45 minutes away). One great thing about them is that they are not just local, but one of the biggest employee owned companies in Maine. Fedco is another great catalog, it is just that they almost overwhelm a person with information. It is a cross between The Farmer's Almanac, and a seed catalog. They have a ton of fruit trees though, and the owner is an apple tree expert.
I am trying to get to the point where I save a decent portion of my seeds. There are some hybrids that I really like, such as sungold tomato and seedless watermelon that will always require ordering. I also do a decent amount of transplanting volunteers that sprout up in the compost pile and in the beds. Always fun to have some mystery veggies growing.
Patience paid off- Gurney's finally had both a 50% off and a $3.99 flat shipping simultaneously. Also ordered a rare tomato off eBay for cheap with free shipping. And the daffodils are popping up through the snow!
I use Burgess every year. I just ordered a bunch of seeds 2 rose bushes and some other roots and the shipping was $9.99 Don't think that was bad at all. 1oz first class package is around $3 anymore
I really like the dollar store (5 for $1!) seeds to compliment the expensive catalogue order, lots of good staples, and at $.20 each, I always get too many.