From The Ground Up: Ordering seeds from catalogs

The first seed catalog is soon to arrive full of the promise of summer and the temptation of varieties untried. Then the next catalog, and the next, and so on, making seed choices overwhelming. Here are a few tips from the National Gardening Association on how to differentiate and choose the best seeds.

First, each seed catalog has a distinct personality, which is why they are so enjoyable to read. There are natives, vegetables, annuals, single cultivars, and all combinations - with beautiful pictures and enticing descriptions. Regional catalogs cater to gardeners living in certain parts of the country, which helps by offering plants geared specifically for your zone/environment/climate.

Second, ordering from a catalog is unlike any other type of shopping because you can't see what you're buying. It's a fantasy business. Photos are generally of the mature plant, and in the case of perennials, it will take years to achieve mature size. Always be mindful that your plants will be exposed to the elements, and may not even be the same color as shown. Also, read the directions for planting and maintenance very carefully, and watch for descriptive words that are clues of possible trouble. For example:

l 'Mild-tasting” might mean bland.

l A 'vigorous” grower may take over the garden.

l Vegetables touted for their 'beauty” may not be especially tasty.

l A 'pungent” plant may actually have an offensive smell.

l 'Late-maturing” could mean risky in all but warm regions.

Third, what about quality control? Legally, there are only a few specifics that must be on all seed packets. In 1940, the U.S. government passed the Federal Seed Act, which guarantees a certain level of quality for all vegetable seed sold in packets weighing less than 1 pound. However, there are no federal regulations for flower seed packets, except in a few states.

Finally, what about bargain seeds? Well, in general, you get what you pay for. Seed advertised as the cheapest could be because it has a minimum germination rate or low purity. The germination rate is the percentage of seeds in a batch that germinated during testing, and this can vary depending on how the seed is harvested and stored. Purity reflects the degree to which the seeds in the batch are from plants that exactly match the variety description. Seeds with a high germination rate and high purity are costlier to produce.

Save money on seed by purchasing packets that contain fewer seeds, with high germination and purity rates, and limit the number of companies to save on shipping and handling.

All in all, the best advice is to read carefully, and get recommendations from friends and reviews before you order this winter - and next season will be full of the healthy and robust plants you start from seed!

l For questions, call the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Hotline at (319) 447-0647.