Understanding Seed Catalogs for the Beginning Gardener

I must be my father's daughter because like him, every winter I anxiously await the arrival of the multitude of garden seed catalogs. With guidance from my father, who used to buy seed in bulk at the local feed 'n seed before catalogs became popular, I learned all about how to get catalogs and order seeds and plants from them. Now that gardens have been put to bed for the long winter months, there is not much for us gardeners to do except look at our precious seed catalogs and plan what we will grow next year. However, what if you are a new gardener, planning your first garden? Where will you get catalogs when you are not on anyone's mailing list? Will you understand the content once you receive the catalogs, and will you place your orders correctly?

How to get Catalogs

There are several ways new gardeners can get seed catalogs, one being from their fellow gardening friends. To a gardener, nothing is more relaxing than having a cup of hot coffee or herbal tea while perusing a seed catalog, so invite a gardening friend over for a 'cup of joe' and ask them to bring a stack of seed catalogs with them. They will be more than willing to share.

Another way is to search for seed companies online. All you need to do is sign up and a seed catalog will be mailed to you (some may charge a fee); or you can order your seeds directly online, if that option is available. Some seed companies exchange mailing lists so do not be surprised if you get a catalog from a seed company you never requested one.

Gardening magazines are also a great way to find seed companies. Seed companies place adds in these magazines with listed websites or phone numbers.

How to Read Catalogs

Seed catalogs are not all the same, but most give you enough information to make the correct choices for your own garden. Companies may group their vegetable, flower and other seeds and plants by species, or put them in alphabetical order. They may include colorful pictures, seed or plant descriptions, advertisements, seed count, and even amusing stories or testimonials and reviews. The will include the price and a code for the order sheet. They may include pictures of drops of water and full or half suns to indicate the care needed for the plant. There is usually a guide in the catalog to indicate what each picture means. Most catalogs do not print planting guides anymore, opting to include that needed information in the orders they send out.

How to Order Seeds and Plants

People new to gardening tend to either over or under order seeds and plants, so it is best to plan your garden first and to order early. Know your garden space. Ask yourself, "Do I have enough room to plant the seeds and plants I want to grow?" Do the math. If you plan to plant two eight-foot rows of peas, where the seeds should be planted two inches apart, and a seed packet holds 50 seeds, you will need two packets of seeds.

Once you have you order figured out, fill out the order form and recheck for accuracy. Make sure your writing is legible. Mail your order and check or credit card info, and then wait for your order to arrive.

Keep in mind, if ordering plants, most companies will ship those when it is time to plant them. If the company does not do this, you do not want to order from them. No one wants to come home from work in February only to find a box of dead plants on their porch.

Source: Personal Experience, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Burpee Seeds and Plants, Michigan Bulb Company