Seeds and Seed Catalogs

[fuzzi]

I was a Burpee seeds fan for years, but haven't had reliable availability in the local stores. Baker Creek has some good vegetables but inconsistent germination so I tried Seed Savers. I'm VERY happy so far.

And they have a gorgeous catalog!

 

[ducks4you]

Baker Creek is located in Missouri.

Our Village | Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Learn about the people and community behind Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Discover our mission, values, and passion for preserving heritage seeds.

www.rareseeds.com

They grow in just a little bit further south than my zone.
Baker Creek's investments in top notch photography, their beautiful whole seed catalog AND their very good webpage were pretty smart.
Don't know When they upped their game, but it really appeals to the crowd that dabbles in and out of gardening, and I am sure that they make good money from That!
You know, the group that is convinced the blue eggs are healthier than white eggs.
Many years ago I had never heard of them, just the big one Burpee.
Some of the others, like Jung were, for ME, not local.
I have ordered from them before.
I would like you to consider buying at least Some of your seeds from a seed company in your own zone and your own part of the country.
As I study the plants that I want to/have grown, the same phrase keeps popping up, "Naturalizing," which means growing, saving the seeds/bulbs and Next year it grows Better bc it has gotten used to Your Climate.

 

[ducks4you]

I was perusing the online Baker Creek catalog. I noticed that most vegetables/flowers/herbs are sold as around 100 seeds.
Do you all think that we should expect that many?
I also will buy local, and many packages don't even have 20 seeds in them.
We usually don't plant that many in one season.
I was searching and came upon this delinquent thread:

What Seeds are You Saving?

Printed germs are as of before they are sold with printed date. It is a “hot” germ usually. What isn’t printed is “cold” germ or even more valuable “vigor”. Seed’s “hot” germ can be good for years and IF stored correctly can germ for decades for most crops. That doesn't mean that I want slowed...

www.theeasygarden.com

I can get easily over 30 tomato seeds to save from one fruit, sometimes more.
In 2022/2023 I got caught up buying from two small seed companies:
SeedsNow

Buy High-Quality Organic Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds Online

Shop our seed collection and grow your own organic vegetable garden. Fast USA shipping! 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

www.seedsnow.com

and
SeedsN Such

Seeds 'n Such - Award-Winning, Non-GMO Seeds... 'n Such!

At Seeds 'n Such, Seeds & Shipping Don't Have to Cost So Much! Browse Our Selection of High Quality, Award-Winning, Non-GMO Seeds. Including Heirlooms, Hybrids & More! With our Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs & Flowers, Your Garden Will Be Looking and Tasting Better than Ever.

seedsnsuch.com

SeedsNow has constant sales--message me if you ever want to buy from them--and they sell "sampler's packs" which can have as few as 15 seeds. The packaging is great! They come in 1"x3" ziplock bags--I reuse mine when the seeds are gone.
Their catalogs are online and can be downloaded, or you just go to their site.
SeedsNSuch also sell small quantities, like 30 seeds, in many of their paper packaging.
THEY are also available through Amazon and EBay.
Are the print catalogs nostalgia?
Is it part of our gardening experience to handle them and look through them like a magazine?
I don't have any opinions, just wondering.

 

[digitS']

I remember a few big stories in the gardening world several years ago about the source of garden seeds. Growing some seed is a labor-intensive enterprise, so where is it taking place?

First, it was east Africa. Wow, not even in the US? A few years later, the story was that much of the seed production had moved to China. Location of warehouses and shipping doesn't mean a lot.

Quality of seed and the plants grown in a home garden is of critical importance for folks.

Steve

 

[Dahlia]

I still have the 2 yr old Big fat and thick Baker Creek catalog, that is still teaching me things.
I got a couple of paper catalogs so far, including Seed Savers, though I am not sure, since I don't remember buying anything from them.
Wait a gosh darn minute--they are selling a cucumber called "Dragon's Egg", white, originated in Croatia (maternal family is from there,) and produces ALL SUMMER!!!
NO!! I slap my credit card hand. I will NOT buy any more seeds this year!!!

But that one sounds extra special! Don't forget to also purchase some blue cheese dressing to eat with the cucumbers once they are ready!

 

[digitS']

I don't even know if Kitazawa has a catalog now that it has been purchased by True Leaf. Often, I have ordered from them but not the most recent years and never from True Leaf. Nothing against TL and it's okay with me if the owners of Kitazawa wanted to retire. So far, the online information looks like TL may be trying to maintain the unique K inventory .

This week, I ordered a few things from True Leaf. The arrived in a short amount of time.

Another seed order went out today. I'll still have to check the racks at the garden center and hardware stores ... of course !

Steve