Traditionally I've ordered seeds when cabin fever starts setting in... in a good winter I start taking inventory around the last week in February and place it sometime in March. This year winter's late and I haven't even looked at the fruit tree catalogs yet... I just got a text from my sister warning me that seed companies are already restricting orders. Yikes! Last year I ordered just before the Covid hit, so was able to get everything that I needed. I don't even know what I'm out of, but taking my seed inventory just moved to the top of my list.
Ordering seeds
- Thread starter Jstpssng
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Mendonsy
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My wife put in her seed order in early December this year. She was worried that the seed companies were going to have problems with availability and delivery.
Gem99ultra
Elite Member
Apparently you wife is right. The seed companies are basically selling off last year's unsold seed supply. We will be ordering our clover and flower seed this week.
jjp8182
Platinum Member
I got bit by that some last year. Part of my seed ordering I had to wait some were restricting/prioritizing sales by customer type, and part of my order for the year was slowed/delayed (due to normal hold for seasonal shipping schedules).
The latter was the reason I started ordering prior to the start of the new year (just didn't get to all of it last year), because if I'm planning to start seeds indoors I'd rather not wait to get seeds until March/April (or later) as I can usually start planting in ground after April 15th, but usually wait until Earth Day (April 22) if/when weather allows.
The latter was the reason I started ordering prior to the start of the new year (just didn't get to all of it last year), because if I'm planning to start seeds indoors I'd rather not wait to get seeds until March/April (or later) as I can usually start planting in ground after April 15th, but usually wait until Earth Day (April 22) if/when weather allows.
5030
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Might work with non ag seed but with ag seed which includes alfalfa and seed corn, the producer has to certify germination to be 95% or better or they cannot sell it. USDA rules.
I buy my seed corn from the producer down the road and my vernal and hybrid alfalfa (roundup ready) from Wilbur Ellis, same with my 46 granulated and 28 liquid.
I just got my Jung seed catalog and will be ordering my garden seeds and plants shortly. I like Jung Seed Company. Won't plant any cabbage this year, I can get it by the hamper full anytime I want it.
5030
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Excellent. Did Maine seed potatoes and Pontiac's. What you need to do is get straw bales, take a bulb planter and bore about 3 holes in the cut side of the bale sprinkle on fertilizer (I used 46 granulated because I always have about a skid in the barn but any fertilizer will do and soak the bales down and repeat regularly keeping them moist. When you start getting mushrooms they are ready. Put the cuttings in each hole, cover with some potting soil and keep the bales moist. They grow like crazy. Easy to harvest too. You can dig in and get the new potatoes or let the vines die off and split the bales and get the spuds. I'll do it again this year too. In fact, I'll increase the size (amount of the bales). Put them on newspaper so the weeds don't grow. In the fall, mulch the used bales into the garden. No greenhouse here, I want one but will probably never get one. Farming takes too much time for me.
Rowdy Redneck
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I just read a book on straw bale gardening and am sold. Want to grow sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, peppers, eggplant, and maybe some other stuff. Thanks for sharing your experience and methods!
MossRoad
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We were at Menard's yesterday and they had seeds out. People were swarming them like flies. Better order early. 
My father gave me his last 40 foot hoop house and some used plastic to cover it. I put up a 20 foot section and kept turkeys in it one year, then it became storage. I need to put new plastic on, and set the other half up down near the house where I can run power to it. Someday I'd like to use it to extend my season in both directions, and in winter I can keep my hens in the other.
Oaktree
Super Member
A friend of my wife's gave us the frame for one of those Shelter Logic portable garages (the covering had deteriorated and they chose not to replace it). Was gonna do the same and use it for a greenhouse, but it ended up putting a tarp over it & using it for storage. I'll have to keep my eyes open for another one. We're in one of those "cold spots", and a greenhouse would be nice to have!
I'd never heard of growing potatoes in straw bales, though I do mulch them heavily with straw when I plant them in the ground. Last summer was so dry we didn't get many, so I may have to buy seed potatoes this spring.
A couple years ago I saw a video on growing them in 5 gal. pails. Anyone here ever done that?
As far as other seeds go, Ocean State Job Lots had Burpee seeds back in December, supposedly "this year's" for 40% off marked price. I stocked up on what I needed figuring there'd be a run on them later. Always had good luck with their seeds.
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We were at Menard's yesterday and they had seeds out. People were swarming them like flies. Better order early.
Probably left over from last year knowing Menards. Germination might be an issue in as much as there is no FDA mandate on packaged for residential use seeds.
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Carrots don't work very well, tried that, same with beets. I do taters and maters mostly.
Rowdy Redneck
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Thanks for the feedback! Will probably try carrots and beets in containers. (I read Square Foot Gardening too lol)
MossRoad
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Packaged for 2021. Better get there early.
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Kind of a non issue with me. I get my potato cuttings from Maine, shipped to me and everything else comes from the co-op and my seed corn I buy direct from the grower at $330 bucks per 50 pounds. Stuff is like gold today. Used to plant cabbage for kraut but I get as much as I want from another local grower, I go pick it in the field (same with peppers and melons) or swing by the main farm and stick my nose in their walk in cooler.
Just watch the dates on the seed packets is all I can say. In reality, packaged seed will stay viable if store at below freezing temps for years. Some years back I bought 5 pounds of Ambrosia sweet corn (hard to get) and stored the excess seed in the deep freeze and even last year (4 years later) I had almost 100% germination. need to get some this year again.
Kind of leery about buying seed at a box store anyway when I can get it at the co-op or at the input dealer where I get my fertilizer and herbicide / pesticides at. I do like Menards though. We go there often.
forgeblast
Elite Member
Baker creek had their website down, its back up but a few of my favorites were out of stock. Still got my order in early, figured there will be a run on it.
This Catalog Search - Fedco Seeds is my first choice to go to for seeds. They're a little independent and can be a pain to deal with, but prices are reasonable and they have good seed.
When they don't have what I'm looking for my second choice is Johnny’s Selected Seeds | Supporting Farms & Gardens Since 1973. The only things I might buy off the shelf are sunflowers and other inconsequential things.
I've never heard of seeds without gemination rates, but maybe that's just because of the companies I do business with.
When they don't have what I'm looking for my second choice is Johnny’s Selected Seeds | Supporting Farms & Gardens Since 1973. The only things I might buy off the shelf are sunflowers and other inconsequential things.
I've never heard of seeds without gemination rates, but maybe that's just because of the companies I do business with.
Oaktree
Super Member
I seem to average maybe 30% germination rate on carrots, regardless of where I get them or variety, though those that do germinate do very well. Anyone else run into this? I don't think it's birds eating them, though I do have that problem with corn and beans (crows mostly).
Carrots are slow to germinate, and watering or rain tends to create a crust that they have a hard time breaking through. Try placing a burlap bag or part of an old sheet over the rows, it helps cushion the watering so they have an easier time coming up through to daylight. Mt father used to use burlap for that purpose when starting pansies in the field... do they still make burlap?
