The season of seed buying is upon us.
Here are a few tips on seed buying to get us off on the right foot and avoid spending too much or over-committing.
- Inventory the seeds you already have. Every year “our eyes are bigger than our stomaches” when it comes to seed buying. Check first to see what seeds you have cached away and make note of them. Do you want to plant any of these this year?
- Do you keep a garden journal or have another special place where you write down the names of plants you want to grow again? Make a note of these. Do you need to buy more seed for these vegetables?
- Spend a little time with the seed catalogs BEFORE you get on-line and start ordering. What kinds of seeds do you want? Here is some seed terminology to be aware of first:
- Hybrid— these seeds are the direct product of 2 different varieties of the same plant. Hybrid plants tend to have good vigor and be good performers in the garden. The seeds from mature plants, however, will not grow back true to the mother plant.
- Open-pollinated— these plants are available to any suitable pollinator for fertilization, so these are more genetically diverse. Seeds from these open-pollinated plants will grow true to the mother plant provided they are fertilized with pollen from the same plant variety.
- Heirloom— usually plant seeds that have been passed down through generations, often for 50 years or more. These options are numerous and valued for their diversity. Heirlooms are open-pollinated plants and will perform accordingly.
- Non-GMO— All seeds sold to home gardeners are non-GMO seeds, meaning they are not genetically modified organisms. GMO seeds are ONLY available to commercial growers, so this term ‘non-GMO’ is not necessary on seed catalogues for the home gardener.
- Make one list of all the desired seeds to buy for the coming year.
- Which seed catalog companies are known to you? Are they reputable? Do they offer plants suitable for our climate and soils? Here are just a few examples of seed companies that we have used and can recommend, but many more companies exist:
• Territorial Seed (Oregon)
• Ed Hume Seed (Washington)
• Seattle Seed Company (Washington)
• Johnny’s (Maine)
• Seed Savers (Iowa)
• Baker Creek (Missouri) - With your list in hand and trusted seed companies in mind, you now are ready to get on-line and make your purchases. To keep your garden interesting try planting some seed for something fun, and some seed for something different. But mostly purchase seed that you will enjoy growing and that makes you happy.
Here’s to a great growing season and a bountiful harvest! Happy gardening!
Adapted from: ‘Tis the Season….to Buy Seeds by Cindy Burton, WSU Extension Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties Master Gardener.