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Seed catalogues
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Author: Staff Writer
Not only is ordering from seed
catalogues a great way to while away the winter / spring days, but it
can often be the only way to get your hands on new varieties. This is
especially true for those in more rural settings that may depend on larger
chain garden stores.
Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:
1) Look for AAS designation. All American
Selection means that a variety has been tested all over the U.S. in different
zones / climates. It also means that it is generally felt to be a big
improvement over the older varieties.
2) Have a healthy dose of a “grain of salt”.
Don’t expect to get exact same results as in the catalogue the first
year. Or maybe even ever! They are growing under ideal conditions, and
they are very selective about what photos get into the catalogue. They
use all sorts of tricks to make things look more impressive, more covered
with blooms, etc. For example one optical illusion used by the catalogues
is ultra close-ups to make the blossoms look larger.
3) Experiment on one thing a year. Don’t
make an experiment the focal point of your garden. It will leave one huge
hole if it disappoints. If you are looking for a change for a particular
flowerbed, order a couple of plants and see how they do there before totally
committing yourself!
4) Set a budget. Set an overall budget
for your garden. Ordering from several different catalogues can mean that
you loose track of how much you are spending. Make sure that you are including
shipping and handling costs as well. It can be an unaccounted for cost
if you don’t.
5) Beware of “New!!!” It does
sound exciting, but NEW! is a marketing 'weasel' word that means very
little. New doesn’t really mean improved, it might just mean that
that catalogue didn’t carry that variety last printing.
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