#7 Seed Catalogs
We told you in an earlier blog that the seed catalogs were arriving – they began to appear around Thanksgiving. At one time they started arriving around the first week of January, but it seems they come earlier and earlier. At any rate we read them as soon as we can. A good fire, a cup of hot cocoa and a seed catalog – absolute bliss.
Where are the Catalogs?
The catalogs are in a variety of spots – pages turned over, descriptions circled and wish lists tucked inside. It’s time to place orders and although the madman would like to order one of everything he sees, reason does prevail. So, we revisit the catalogs, comparing each of our wish lists to create the most efficient orders.
There are lots of seed catalogs to choose from. It is interesting to note that the Shakers, now noted for their simple furniture, were the first to package seeds to sell to the individual gardener. Before this, seeds were saved and traded with neighbors or purchased in bulk out of burlap sacks at the general store.
The First Seed Packets
Around 1790, the shakers began to package seeds in “papers”, precursors to the modern seed packet. The “papers” included planting directions and sometimes a recipe. Shaker peddlers brought colorful Shaker Seed Boxes to general stores in the spring – each box contained about 200 “papers”. These were left on consignment; the peddler would return in the fall to collect. As with anything they tried, the Shaker’s gained a reputation for the finest seeds.
Unfortunately their collection and production processes were labor intensive, and commercial seed companies began to produce seeds at a cheaper rate. Since the dollar drives everything, the Shakers couldn’t compete. But, there are plenty of good quality seed suppliers out there who produce wonderful catalogs. With our increasing use of technology, some companies are leaning toward on-line catalogs. Some companies do both with an abbreviated hard copy delivered through traditional mail.
Exploring the Catalogs
Over the years, we have developed a list of seed sources based upon our ordering experiences. Since early on, we realized that we can’t use everyone although the madman would love to. There are a ton of great suppliers out there that we know by name only. Fellow master gardeners Tom Kalal and Jim Woodworth order a bulk of their seeds from Fedco Seeds in Maine, as does our son Mike – all swear by the company, but so far we have not tried them. The madman sticks to his sources with the comment “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Use the Pictures as Guides
When the madman looks at catalogs, he is drawn to the fancy pictures (he’s part crow, you know). But there is a way to read these things. The catalogs contain a wealth of gardening information. Before searching for seeds to order, study the catalogs their individual abbreviations, symbols and methods of presenting the information needed to grow individual varieties. This key to each catalog usually within the first few pages – you will notice that some catalogs include a lot more information than others.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
Most catalogs include a map of hardiness zones prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Last update to the hardiness zones occurred in 2012. Connecticut currently has three zones. You can find your zone on line by going to https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ – type in your zip code, and Voila! Hardiness zone. We are in Zone 6a (it used to be 6).
The zones are arranged by expected low temperatures in winter. The lower the number, the colder it gets. Knowing your zone is important – you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a plant, tree or shrub that is hardy to Zone 8 if you live in Zone 6. It will most likely die unless you exert Herculean effort. The madman leaned this the hard way.
Days to Maturity
In addition to hardiness zones, plant descriptions usually include a figure called days – 60 day/s, for example. This is a rough estimate of when you can expect some rewards for your labor. For seeds you direct sow in the garden, start counting the days when the seed sprouts. But, for seeds started indoors, begin counting the days when you put the transplants in the garden.
Remember this number is determined in the growing trials of the seed company, so it is not an exact number. Remember those degree days? Days to maturity will vary depending upon the zone of the gardener (Zone 8 will have faster maturation than Zone 5). Back when we started, the madman took those days as absolute and went crazy when his hot peppers were not ready to harvest at 120 days, after all, the packet said…
Catalog Terminology
Enough of his antics, back to the catalogs. Some of the terminology is pretty much the same across all catalogs. You will regularly run into some of the following terms:
Organic (sometimes listed as OG) –these seeds are harvested from certified organically grown seed fields – they are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
Open Pollinated (OP) – these seeds are pollinated naturally in open fields – they always produce plants identical to the parent plant; important to those who save seeds from their plants. Heirloom – these are open pollinated from a variety 50+ years old. All heirlooms are open pollinated, but not all open pollinateds are heirlooms.
Hybrid (F1) – these seeds are the product of crossing the pollen of two different species, usually done by human intervention to breed a desired trait (such as disease resistance). If these seeds are saved, plants will not be true to type and will usually be less vigorous than the parent plant.
Treated – these seeds are coated with an anti-microbial or fungicidal chemical to enhance growth. They are also colored to make them less attractive to birds. Treated seed is not organic.
Pelleted – These seeds are typically the very small seeds or those with irregular shapes. The inert coating is designed to make the seeds easier to plant.
Where to Find Them
Seeds in catalogs are generally arranged by vegetables, herbs and flowers. The flowers are further arranged by annual and perennial. Individual descriptions of the seeds contain more details such as sun/shade requirements, water needs, plant height and deer resistance. (The madman insists that nothing is truly deer resistant.)
Gardening Supplies
Towards the end of most catalogs, seed growers include a bunch of gardening and preserving supplies. Here the home gardener can find products to make gardening life easier. Tools, sprayers, chemicals, planting soils, row covers, netting, books…just to mention a few. The madman always visits this section-when he finds something new, he usually exclaims “Wow! Why didn’t I think of this?”
Personal Favorites
Now to some of our favorites catalogs. Please note that this is a short list and by no means an endorsement of any company. As we have from the beginning, we get seeds from a variety of sources – catalogs, store displays, the Hartford Flower Show, nearby growers in Wethersfield (Hart Seeds and Baker Heirloom seeds, formerly Comstock Ferre) and our gardening friends.
W. Atlee Burpee Company, Warminster, PA – a company founded in 1876 that has gone through a bunch of changes, but still serves the needs of home gardeners.
New England Seed Company, East Hartford, CT – a plug for one of our local Connecticut suppliers. Over the years this company has supported community gardens. Catalog contains great descriptions and growing tips.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME – a lot of master gardeners consider this catalog the bible for its detailed descriptions of plants, seeds and how to grow them. Madman never throws this catalog out – even after ordering.
Totally Tomatoes, Randolph, WI – a subsidiary of J.W. Jung Seed Company carries an extensive selection of both tomato and pepper seeds. The madman spends hours in the hot pepper section.
Pinetree Gardens, New Gloucester, ME – family owned and operated business with great seeds. The madman feels their seeds are particularly suited for growing in the Northeast. Besides, he likes the cat on their website.
Territorial Seed Company, Cottage Grove, OR – If you are looking for some different varieties, you might want to check here. As those above, some good growing tips.
Select Seeds, Union, CT – Relatively new to our order list. A 32-year old company that offers a wonderful selection of flower seeds geared toward native pollinators. You will find wonderful heirloom varieties reminiscent of grandma’s fragrant garden.
Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN – Owners of this company stress growing native plants and offer the most wonderful selection of native grasses, flowers and shrubs. Natives plants are an important part of our ecosystem-spend some quality time with this catalog. You won’t regret it.
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, Bantam, CT – If you are a gourmet cook or just like to eat well, you will love this catalog. Wonderful selection of herbs and vegetables supplemented by a good selection of flowers-nice pictures, too.
RH Shumway, Randolph, WI – Another J.W. Jung Seed Company subsidiary but a super fun catalog for browsing. This catalog contains heirloom varieties illustrated with old-time woodcuts. A great catalog for a trip back in time.
As we noted above, this list is a personal discussion of the madman’s habits. There are many other wonderful catalogs out there. If you have a favorite that we neglected to include, please let us know. The madman is always looking to update his lists.
It was brought to our attention by fellow master gardener and literary critic Rob Mirer that there was a mistake in last week’s blog. We should have poured the cocoa and pored over the catalogs, poor us. It’s time to dispense the cocoa.
