seeds for this spring

[chewie]

i am going to try square foot gardening this year. have a great spot, and am making a list of what to grow. is it better to get seeds via a catalog or just buy them in town? and what catalogs are best to look at? thanks.

oh, and do i really need to buy the square foot gardening book, or can i get enough info online? i am not a real pro at gardening but aim to increase our self suffiency, and quality of food available. i would like to grow enough to put some up. there are 4 in our family. any help would be appreciated, as i have not done this much before, its a big step for me.

[Old Vet]

The local seed store or hardware store has the types to seeds that you will need because of your location. Catalogs are great if you know what kind of plants will grow in your area but will be higher. I have the new curney's seed catalog and if I try everything in their most of them will do not as good as they say. Some of the plaints are from the north and some are for the south and some are for arid areas and some are for locations with more rainfall some are for high altitudes and some are for low areas.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I do buy some seeds from Gurney's catalog becuase they have such a big selection but you'll need to look at how long for maturity especially since Dakota has a shorter growing season. I buy some at stores around here too but the same thing, I have to check maturity.
Example: Watermelons need a long hot season generally, so they are not always good to grow here but sometimes I can grow the sugar baby's & have a great year with them & the next year nothing.

I would start checking around with neighbors & local feed stores or markets as to what does best where you live

[Danaus29]

Your local extension office should have a list of good local varieties. Their info should be found by googling county extension office state. Lots of states share county names so you need to enter both your county and state name. As for the book, you don't have to buy it. You can borrow it from the library or check info online. I personally like the feel of a book in my hands.

My personal opinion is to start with seeds from your local nursery or small hardware or feed store. My feed store carries pea and corn seeds you can't get from the catalogs. Catalogs temp you to buy much more than you really need. And more than you could ever hope to get planted. If you have a gardening neighbor or friend, ask about sharing seed packages. Nobody ever really plants or needs 1000 radishes but there are close to that many seeds in a pack.

[ronbre]

you will find a better variety of seeds in a catalog and those more likely to produce better in your area..

we live in a very short growing season so we are always looking for things that ripen early here..


also you can compare prices..you'll pay anywhere from just over a $ to up to $6 for an ounce of seeds..depending on where you buy them..so get as many catalogs as you can..look them over well and really compare prices and number of days till harvest

We live in Michigan and tender plants here have to harvest in less than 90 days to be able to grow them out here without protection..

you can fine your growing zone by looking up a garden zone map..hardiness zone map i think they are called..we are zone 4/5 here..up by our house on the higher ground we have 5 and other is all 4..so that means if we plant say a zone 6 plant here..it will freeze and die.

also make sure you plant things your family will eat..and that will save you money to grow yourself..

somethings are just not worth the money..and some things are difficult to ship and are best planted and grown at home..example..raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes etc..

some things you just can't get in the store..like single serving watermelons and cantelopes..and baby zucchinies and summer squash, and really fresh lettuces.

look through the catalogs and see what you buy buy buy and could grow cheaper..

[terri46355]

I like seed catalogs, because they tend to have varieties you can't get locally.

Here is one reason why I like to order seeds:

I've grown Japanese long cucumbers for several years. They are very prolific, require no extra care, and never get bitter. I picked over 300 lbs. last summer from seeds grown on a cattle panel trellis! They make good pickles and I had enough extra to supply people staying at a camping resort where I worked. You can't get this variety at the local level.

Baker Creek Seeds is a good catalog with low shipping rates.

[firegirl969]

I would try to find the name of some of the open pollinated seeds that grow well in your area. Then I would acquire some of those seeds. With these seeds, you can grow the veggies then save the seeds for the coming years. They may cost a few cents more in the beginning, but you won't have to buy them again. I would buy the Square Foot Gardening book and the Seed to Seed book. Both of these should give you the info for where you need to be with your raised-bed gardening. Your local county extension agency should be able to help you figure out which seeds grow good in your area, or ask for infro from others in your growing zone. They should be able to give you some help. Good luck for a prosporous 2010, firegirl

[MN Gardener]

I usually get my basics at the feedmill in town. They only sell the varieties that do well in this area. I get seeds I need to start inside from Walmart, Menards or L&M because my feedmill does not carry seeds until right before planting time. I normally order my strawberries, raspberries and some fruit trees from catalogs. Although I usually get a fruit tree for Mother's Day from a local nursery. They seem to do the best, but they are more expensive and older then the ones I got from Jung. I have a huge garden and always try something new in the garden every year. This year I have ordered a couple new melons from Gurney. The catalogs offer some really unique varieties that you can't usually get from local sources. Although I have seen some of the catalog seeds in big box stores too. If you are just starting out I would suggest going to the local feedmill to get the majority of your seeds and just try a couple varieties from the catalog.
As far as square foot gardening, we do rows so I am not sure where to get the best information on that. I can tell you I have a few gardening books that I refer to religiously. It is nice to have a book to write notes in, highlight, bookmark, etc. I would suggest borrowing some books from the library or friends, see which ones you like and purchase those books. When it comes to gardening, it is nice to have an actually book in hand to refer too. Just my $0.02, hope it helps.

[Beeman]

I would buy small packs of seeds at WM or your local garden center. I find no reason to buy from catalogs unless you're looking for something rare. Pick common varieties for your area. Be sure to buy them early as every year they seem to get cleaned out faster and faster. Grow things you normally eat and time it for the seasons. You'll probably end up buying plants for many things so seeds aren't the only thing you'll need.
The square foot gardening book isn't a necessity, it's pretty much common knowledge you can find online. Check your library if you want to read it. Soil quality is the biggest thing about square foot or raised bed type gardening, it's much more controllable and efficient.

[geo in mi]

Can I suggest that you look at http://www.johnnyseeds.com/ Their catalog is one that doesn't get too outlandish in their descriptions and each kind of vegetable has a growing guide that will give you lots of valuable information. Plus you can get ideas and pictures of gadgets and widgets you might need to get a good garden.

I can appreciate many gardeners' suggestions about open pollinated, and local selections, but for a beginning gardener, I would suggest using the newer hybrids to start out. Why? Old-line varieties, for example, green beans will need to have the tough strings removed before cooking or canning. Marketmore 76 cucumbers(an old timer) will have much less resistance to wilt and powdery mildew than newer varieties, Same for Beefsteak, Rutgers, Big Boy, and Brandywine tomatoes. Also, some newer varities are bred for shorter season growth. And a good catalog will tell you more about each selection--and offer them--than a local feed store, or Menards will tell you. (BTW, I am not connected to or affiliated with Johnny's Seeds)

I'm not saying not to buy local, I'm just saying you should take the opportunity a free catalog offers you.