Hello!

Well, that driveway has been plowed; the sidewalks are all shoveled and cleared. Ugh, all that white stuff! Tired of all this ice and snow? Got cabin fever yet?

Well, chin up! Cheer up! Hope springs eternal! Hey, I said the s-word! Spring! Let’s think spring! Let’s think of another s-word. Think seeds!

Seeds – new seeds! Seeds for a new growing season! And just how is your particular seed situation? Lots left over from last year? Or do you have to buy new seed? And just where will you get this new seed?

There are 3 typical seed sources: local stores, mail order seed catalogs, or seed exchanges. Did you know that 90% of all home gardeners buy their seed from regular, local seed racks? Yep! And these seed racks are quite conveniently set up just about everywhere - at local hardware supply stores, garden centers, grocery stores, convenience stores, stores large and small!

You’ve seen those seed racks! Actually I have even seen them just this past week in a couple of local stores. And I’ll tell you those brand new seeds on those brand new seed racks really did lift my spirits and partially thawed out my little cold, frigid heart!

Yes, those seed racks are there calling out to you with seed packets from the Page Seed Company, from the Burpee Seed Company, Agway seed, K-Mart seed. Keep in mind, that rack seed is generally just regular, old, common, ordinary seed, usually going for $1 or $2/packet. And sometimes even $3 a packet

Another thing to consider – seed-counts in the packets do vary, but generally these seed packet contain more seed that the average gardener can use in one growing season.

You know what I mean! You really need only 2 or 3 zucchini seeds to feed your family, but they pack 24 zucchini seeds. And then you feel obligated to plant all 24 seeds. And then you go into the zucchini business. Gees, I wonder if the soldiers in Iraq can use some of that prolific zucchini?

Usually these seed companies locate their seed racks in local stores on consignment. This means that the store can return all of the unsold seed packets at the end of the season for credit. All of those poor unwanted, unused, wasted seed! Sniff! So rack seed is generally the cheaper seed of the most common varieties with the widest adaptation.

You know – one size fits all! Or, more specifically, one seed fits all! One seed variety grows in all climates under all conditions. These seed racks are usually the old tried and true favorite varieties that have been around forever. And sometimes these seed companies do include some of the newer varieties that have been around for a while.

And sometimes, too, smaller, regional seed companies set up their specialty racks stacked with a full range of excellent, really great varieties of unique, rare, unusual seed. And of course, these special seed packets will contain fewer seeds, and will undoubtedly be a trifle (like a lot) more expensive! But you know the old adage – you get what you pay for!

So will you get your new seed from local seed racks? Or will you go to a specialty mail order catalog?

There are literally hundreds of these special mail order seed companies out there! For instance, there is a seed catalog company named the Pepper Gal that specializes in tons of varieties of peppers - sweet peppers, hot peppers, large peppers, small peppers, green peppers, different colored peppers, regular-sized peppers, gigantic and teeny peppers.

The Tomato Growers Supply, Totally Tomatoes, and the Tomato Seed Company are all seed companies that list hundreds and hundreds of different varieties of tasty, tempting tomatoes in their wonderful catalogs. And the Vermont seed company specializes in – guess what? Yup! Beans! No surprises there!
But what just might surprise you is the vast number of different bean varieties that they have to offer!
And – yes – the Vermont seed company is located in Vermont!

Then there are those specialty catalogs that hype giant vegetable seed, or Oriental vegetable seed, or heirloom vegetable seeds, or multitudes of herb seeds, or just salad seeds. Why there are even some seed companies that sell just wildflower seeds!

Keep in mind, many of these mail order seed companies also offer not only just seeds, but live plants, transplant plugs, planting mixes, planting cell packs, pots, trays, gardening book and gardening tools.

More on seedy thoughts next week…

But for this week – try to keep warm by thinking warm loving gardening thoughts!

And hey – remember Eat Smart New York!

And – Bye – Talk to you soon!
D