If you’re a beginner facing a seed packet and feeling overwhelmed by the information, fear not! In this blog post, I’ll break down every detail, helping you understand what each piece of information means and how it applies to your garden.
Where to Get Your Seeds: My Top 5 Picks
One of the common questions I receive is about the best places to get seeds. While there are numerous options, I have five favorites that I’d like to share with you today. Before we dive into the list, it’s essential to note that choosing local seed producers can be advantageous, especially considering the unique climate and weather conditions of your area.
1. FLGardening.com
For fellow Florida gardeners, FLGardening.com is a gem. Unlike nationwide seed companies that might not align with Florida’s specific timelines, this website provides accurate time frames for the region. They offer detailed descriptions for each seed variety, making it an excellent resource for beginners. Additionally, they provide bundles tailored to different seasons, offering a cost-effective way to get a variety of seeds suitable for Florida’s climate.
2. The Urban Harvest
Based in St. Pete, Florida, The Urban Harvest is another local favorite. Elise, the owner, cultivates seeds in her garden and from local seed farms, ensuring they are well-suited for the region. What sets The Urban Harvest apart is its Seed Club, a quarterly subscription that introduces you to unique and exotic varieties. It’s like receiving a present every quarter, complete with seeds, informative cards, and videos guiding you on how to grow these distinctive plants.
3. MIGardener
If you’ve mastered the basics and want to explore a broader range of seeds, MIGardener is an excellent choice for intermediate gardeners. Known for nearly 100% germination rates, MIGardener offers a variety of rare seeds. While their website could use more climate filtering options, their seeds are affordable at $2 per packet, and if you spend over a certain amount, shipping is free. They also have exciting grab bags, providing a surprise assortment of seeds.
4. Johnny Seeds
Johnny Seeds boasts a significant variety of seeds, making it a go-to for many gardeners. However, be aware that not all seeds are heirloom, so they do offer hybrids. Requesting their Seed Catalog can help you identify varieties suitable for your climate, as it includes icons indicating cold or warm-hardiness and maturation times. Johnny Seeds caters more to farmers, whether they run market farms or small family farms. Despite this, they do offer seeds in smaller packets, making them accessible to backyard gardeners as well. In gardening, the concept of seasons can be a bit nuanced. While some areas allow for extended growing periods, others pose challenges. Johnny Seeds is one source that acknowledges this, emphasizing the importance of understanding your local climate. This makes it an ideal choice for more intermediate gardeners who have a grasp of their region’s unique conditions.
5. Burpee: Widely Available, Convenient, and Informative
No discussion about seeds is complete without mentioning Burpee. Widely available in various stores and online platforms, Burpee seeds are likely to be found in every gardener’s collection at some point. Although they are not as detailed about climate considerations, Burpee compensates by offering a vast array of information on the seed packets themselves.
Burpee provides valuable information on its seed packets, both on the front and back. The front typically includes details such as the type of vegetable, variety, and sometimes an indication of whether it’s organic. Additionally, it features a picture of the expected produce.
Seed Saving and Sustainability
All the seed companies I’ve mentioned, except for Burpee and Johnny Seeds, focus on heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. This means you can save seeds from your harvest, promoting sustainability in your gardening journey. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure a continuous supply of seeds without having to repurchase each season.
Decoding Seed Packets: Burpee and MiGardener Insights
Continuing our exploration of seed options, let’s delve into the wealth of information found on seed packets from Burpee and MiGardener. Understanding the nuances of these packets can greatly enhance your gardening success.
Burpee Seeds: Unpacking the Details
Burpee’s seed packets provide a comprehensive guide for gardeners, covering everything from planting depth to germination rates.
- Description: The center of the packet presents a detailed description of the plant, including the type of fruit it produces, size at harvest, and disease resistance. Knowing the disease resistance can be crucial for successful cultivation.
- Planting Instructions: The packet guides you on when to plant, how many seeds to plant, spacing, and the recommended planting depth. A helpful tip is to plant seeds as deep as the seed is wide or tall.
- Germination Rates: Burpee provides an estimate of the number of days it takes for seedlings to emerge, offering a timeline for your gardening expectations.
- Planting Map: A map of the United States with color-coded planting times aids in planning. However, it’s essential to adjust this information based on your specific region’s frost dates. A lot of the times, these maps are not accurate for planting in Florida where I grow my garden.
- Additional Details: Sun requirements, days to harvest, and the days to harvest span provide insights into the plant’s growth expectations. The map and information on the right side offer valuable data on sun exposure, harvest timelines, and even spacing.
When it comes to thinning, a common practice in gardening to provide ample space for roots, Burpee offers a unique approach for cucumbers. Instead of maintaining singular plants with specific spacing, they recommend grouping four to six seeds in hills, later thinning them down to two or three per hill. This method is particularly applicable to watermelons, squash, and cucumbers, providing insights into diverse gardening techniques.
Moreover, Burpee addresses the needs of container gardeners, acknowledging the growing popularity of this method. For those opting for container gardening, Burpee advises planting one seed per 12-inch container. This container-friendly approach caters to individuals with space constraints or those seeking portability in their gardening endeavors.
An essential detail highlighted by Burpee is the packed-for date at the bottom of the packet. This indicates the year the seeds were packed for use. While seeds can be viable beyond this date, especially larger seeds like cucumbers, it’s crucial to recognize that germination rates may decrease over time. Burpee’s transparency in providing this information empowers gardeners to make informed choices about seed viability.
Considerations with Burpee Seeds: A Word of Caution
Despite its widespread availability, Burpee does have some drawbacks. While they provide abundant seeds in each packet, germination rates may not be as reliable as with other brands. As a precaution, it’s recommended to plant more seeds than usual to ensure successful germination.
MiGardener Seeds: Climate Hints and Gardening Wisdom
MiGardener takes a unique approach in presenting crucial details on their seed packets. While not as exhaustive as Burpee, MiGardener packs valuable information into a concise format. The distinction between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, for example, is prominently displayed. This differentiation plays a crucial role in planning and aligning with specific gardening preferences.
MiGardener provides insightful descriptions of each plant, often offering subtle hints about the climate they thrive in. Whether mentioning resistance to cold temperatures or a preference for hot and humid conditions, these tidbits aid gardeners in selecting plants tailored to their specific climates. While not explicitly stating ideal regions, MiGardener’s descriptions provide clues for informed decision-making.
In the germination details, MiGardener goes beyond standard information by including the ideal soil temperature for successful germination. Understanding the ideal conditions for seedlings allows gardeners to create environments conducive to robust plant growth.
MiGardener’s Harvest Information section, found at the bottom of their seed packets, is a standout feature. Offering tips and tricks specific to each plant, this section adds a layer of practical wisdom for successful gardening. Whether it’s discerning the right time for harvest based on color change or the feel of the fruit, these insights are valuable for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.
In conclusion, both Burpee and MiGardener contribute significantly to a gardener’s knowledge base through their seed packets. While Burpee excels in providing comprehensive details, MiGardener’s unique insights and climate hints make their packets equally valuable. As we navigate the world of seeds, understanding these nuances will undoubtedly elevate our gardening experiences.
