Seed catalogs and packets redux - tips from garden writers

-
After running my Dec 30th column on helpful, useful, informative seed catalogs and seed packets, I posted the query to the garden writers' forum, asking garden writers for their recommendations.
Here are responses from the pros to help guide your selection, dear readers - with links to the writers' information and seed companies.

Dee Nash of Red Dirt Ramblings said

The Botanical Interests catalog is free. They aren't sending out any more 2010 ones, but here's a link to their virtual catalog. I also thought of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. I love their catalog too. Of course, Renee's is wonderful.
Nan Sterman, garden designer, blogger at  Plant Soup and author of Water Wise Plants for the Southwest said
Renee's Garden has the best seed packets, hands-down. Each packet is like a little book of information that answers every question before you know to ask it. How to plant, how to care, how to eat. And the illustrations are beautiful! 
Linda Schaffner said

I ditto that, plus the seeds are very reliable for great results.
Elizabeth Peterson, writer for Log House Plants said

For the Pacific Northwest, both Territorial Seed Company and Nichols Garden Nursery provide loads of info for how to grow from seed.
Jane Shellenberger, Publisher, Colorado Gardener, said
Seeds of Change is a great company.

Peter Garnham, master gardener, Hamptons.com said

My vote goes to Renee's Garden seedpackets, which are beautiful and filled with useful information, and to the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog, which has detailed cultural information in the entry for each species. Botanical Interests seedpackets also bear useful instructions, with really nice illustrations.
Jeff Lowenfels author of Teaming with Microbes, said

Territorial and Nichols really should be on the list, too!

Donna Williamson of Donna Williamson Fine Gardening, author of The Virginia Gardener's Companion said

The BEST seeds I use come from Italy - I can't really read the package as my Italian is poor but for volume, germination, and taste - it's Seeds from Italy.
Nancy Szerlag garden columnist for Detroit News and author of Perennials for Michigan said

Johnny's Selected Seeds ( johnnyseeds.com) is a favorite that give lots of growing information for gardeners in Zone 5. Johnnys tests the seeds it sell in their garden in Maine.
Rose Marie McGee, Nichols Garden Nursery, said
If any of you don't yet have a Nichols Garden Nursery catalog either go to catalog request url below or contact me at rmnicholsmcgee@comcast.net.
Kate Copsey, host: of America's Home Grown Veggies Show on www.americaswebradio.com said

I like the information on Renee's Seeds. She gives the planting depth, germination days, days to maturity etc all on a little pull off strip that can be planted if you want to. There is also a USDA map for when to plant regarding frost etc. All on the back of a little seed packet.
After reading the previous emails, Jane Shellenbarger posted
Besides those already mentioned three excellent seed catalogs that are both print & online are Fedco Co-Op Garden Supplies (great company & plenty of helpful info in the catalog though might be a little tricky for beginners to find a few things things due to arrangement of info),
Pinetree Garden Seed (superseed.com) and Seeds Trust (smallish but especially for high altitude climates including Denver at a mile high).
Enjoy browsing through the catalogs and checking the author's publications. You are sure to find something new and interesting.

Comments

Nellie said…
Thanks for the kind mention! Renee actually doesn't list the USDA map on our seed packets, with good reason. All our seeds are trialed across the country in trial gardens, so they can really be grown anywhere. We do tell you when to plant if you're in an area with cold winters or mild winters, however.
January 4, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for stopping by and clarifying that point, Nellie.
We love Renee's seeds!
January 4, 2011 at 5:50 PM
Martha said…
Thanks, Nellie.
We all love Renee's seeds for their reliability and the success we have with them.
The seed packets are always full of helpful tips.
January 4, 2011 at 5:51 PM
Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said…
Hey, thanks for the link Martha. I appreciate it. Since we talked I've gotten so many catalogs, I can't shake a stick at them all.

I'm looking forward to spring, and I know you are too. We've got a ways to go yet.
January 9, 2011 at 6:30 AM
Martha said…
Hi Dee -
A thank you is as rare as a December flower.
You are welcome, my friend.
January 9, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Moldy Tulip Bulbs

-
Image
Moldy tulip bulbs are a big disappointment when you are hoping to fill a bed or some pots. It is not that unusual for their skins to have a bit of penicillin mold but these are beyond that tad bit stage. Mold penetrating tulip bulb  Mold on emerging tulip bulb growth  So, what to do? The plant references say to throw them out and buy new ones but I already spent $22 for 50 of these white tulip beauties. First, they got a soak in 1% bleach solution in the kitchen sink in the hope that the bleach would stop the mold from continuing to grow without killing the life force in the bulb itself. After a good slosh around, I wiped them off to see how much damage was beneath the blue and black.  This tulip bulb is soft to the touch and there is little chance it will thrive in the soil. This basal root on these have been ruined by mold. The final step I took to try to salvage part of them  was to spray them thoroughly with fungicide.  They are all planted in the
Read more

Propagate Begonia Stem Cuttings in water - Cane-like Angel Wing Begonia

-
Image
Propagating by stem cuttings is just about the easiest way to make more begonias for next summer's garden. During the fall, I regularly trim off 3-node long cuttings and put them into the growing pots where they take root. Now that cold weather has arrived, I root the stem cuttings in a vase of water. It's a great way to produce more pots of Begonias for next summer's garden. Water the plant well the day before. Take a cutting about 4-inches long, with 3 nodes, from a healthy stem. Use a perfectly clean container. Rinse the container with a drop of bleach if you are uncertain about its spotlessness. Remove all but the top leaf or two. There should be no leaves in the water. The cutting should  have a healthy leaf node at the bottom. Don't leave a stub below the node. Place the cutting into the water, and place the container out of the sun. In a couple of weeks, you will see new roots beginning to form. Check the water periodically to make sure it is still f
Read more

Create Nesting Areas for Birds and Wildlife

-
Image
From the website, Choose Natives , this lovely and instructive article helped remind me to continue to increase the amount of habitat and nesting that we provide in our garden. Many, though not all, are native or considered to be native in Oklahoma. So, I did a little research on each recommended plant and provided a link to more information. You'll see the plant name in italics - those are my links for your edification. Here's the post Derek Stoner, Project Coordinator for the Delaware Nature Society, helped restore the 860-acre Middle Run Natural Area by “intensive habitat management”, including planting 12,000 trees and shrubs.  His lecture, ‘ Native Plants for Nesting Birds: Connecting Flora and Fauna’,  given to a group of enthusiasts at the Millersville Native Plant Conference   in Pennsylvania, focused on his observations. Here are Derek’s landscaping recommendations for attracting birds: Plant shrubs in clusters (“habitat circles”) that will create the dense
Read more