If you haven’t gotten around to thinking about what new flowers
and vegetables to plant this year, you’re in luck. There’s still
plenty of time to buy either seeds or already-started transplants
to get things growing. And there’s a plethora of mail-order seed
companies out there just begging for your business.
If you haven’t gotten around to thinking about what new flowers and vegetables to plant this year, you’re in luck. There’s still plenty of time to buy either seeds or already-started transplants to get things growing. And there’s a plethora of mail-order seed companies out there just begging for your business.
Seed catalogs not only are useful, but browing through them is fun – especially on a rainy or cold day. The companies will gladly mail out a free catalog at your request. All you need to do is call them or make the request via their Web sites.
There are several advantages to mail-order seed companies. Not only will you usually save money, but ordering seed by mail will give you a much larger variety to choose from than what you would find at the local garden center. Many of these mail-order seed companies specialize in rare or unusual varieties.
One example is a company in nearby Felton, which is close to Santa Cruz. Renee Shepherd, owner of Renee’s Garden, specializes in rare cottage garden flower seeds and great-tasting vegetable varieties. I’ve ordered specific colors of sweet peas from her in the past, whereas some other companies only offer packets in mixed colors. Renee’s seeds are also available on seed racks at Orchard Supply Hardware, or you can contact her at (888) 880-7228 or www.reneesgarden.com.
Another unique mail-order company is Peaceful Valley Farm Supply in Grass Valley. This company specializes in a broad assortment of holistic garden supplies and organic pesticides. I’ve even ordered composting worms from them. Reach Peaceful Valley at (888) 784-1722 or www.grow-organic.com.
Other long-time reputable mail-order seed companies have trial growing grounds where they test all their seed. Some that I can recommend include:
– Park Seed Company in South Carolina. Park’s offers one of the biggest catalogs with everything from bulbing onions and seed potatoes to geraniums and impatiens. Info: (800) 213-0076 or www.parkseed.com
– Johnny’s Selected Seeds in Maryland. Johnny’s offers many organically grown items and avoids fungicide-treated seed. Johnny’s sells small packets for home gardeners as well as the same varieties in larger amounts to market growers. Info: (207) 861-3900 or www.johnnyseeds.com
– Stokes Seeds in New York. The company’s main income is from farmers and other commercial sources, but it offers the same quality seed to home gardeners. Info: (800) 396-9238 or www.stokeseeds.com
– Harris Seeds in New York. Unlike Stokes, which sells its entire line to all customers, Harris has two catalogs and offers a more limited assortment of the same quality seeds to home gardeners. Info: (800) 514-4441 or www.gardeners.harrisseeds.com
