Seed costs🤬 vs savings

[Popcorn]

I shop multiple seed catalogs looking for specific varieties and new ones that interest me. I do really enjoy the whole process of "winter gardening", got that from my grandmother. Anyway the prices of seeds has skyrocketed and the amount of seed in the package is minuscule! I made a simple online search lead me to Etsy (never been there) where I found 16 items of the specific varieties I wanted with acceptable quantities at an average savings of 60%. It took a little time but I bought 16 items from multiple sellers wth a savings of $48.75 on products before shipping, handling and taxes.

 

[Forvols]

Yeah Im getting ready to buy some seeds and I need some plants or shrubs for a 4x40 and 3x12 flower boxes I made last year. Not sure what I want for plants/shrubs but something that flowers 4ft to 6ft spread and height and low maintenance = money. Vegetable seeds I need a few items still deciding on what I want to plant.

 

[Chapman]

I've been buying some seeds on eBay. Some small packs of seeds like cabbage, chard, lettuce, spinach, reasonable prices for the small amount I need. Lot of them with free shipping.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Yeah, the new seed catalogs are laying on the table...haven't got in them yet.
Also, we started saving seeds few years back and I'll swap seeds with one coworker. But this year I do plan to order some different varieties and add to our stash.

 

[WTM]

i buy mine at my co-op. dint know if all of them have bags like that. i pay 25-40 bucks and i freeze what i dont use that year. that cost usually lasts 3-4 years. sweet corn has went up to the point where i can buy it from local farmers cheaper than i can grow it.

https://www.unitedfhcoop.com/searchPage.action?keyWord=garden seed

 

[Forvols]

I need to check at our co-op more.

 

[gtk]

I tried starting my tomatoes from seeds for the first time last year. Won't do that again. They grow well at first and look pretty, only to fool you and shrivel up at the ground and break off..

I got a Baker Heirloom catalog and went crazy ordering weird varieties of stuff. . Most of it never produced or died , or in case of the okra, somehow it was a super-attractant to fire-ants and they got all the okra.

 

[Chiflyguy]

I like Hoss seeds.
Jerry's hardware in New Tazewell sells seeds by the scoop.
I've had good luck.
Still got some yellow squash in the freezer. I love squash tots and squash casserole.

 

[WTM]

I tried starting my tomatoes from seeds for the first time last year. Won't do that again. They grow well at first and look pretty, only to fool you and shrivel up at the ground and break off..

I got a Baker Heirloom catalog and went crazy ordering weird varieties of stuff. . Most of it never produced or died , or in case of the okra, somehow it was a super-attractant to fire-ants and they got all the okra.

thats a moisture problem with the tomatoes. it causes a soil fungus which attacks the stem at the base. more sunlight and air flow will keep it at bay.

 

[DaveB]

The best place for what I call routine gardening is still walmart. Plus, I owe a debt to Ferry-Morse that I have promised to honor and Walmart carries that brand.

As for varieties that are not local I tend to look all over.

I got my dirt ready last fall after one of my worst growing seasons ever. Turning, fertilizing, getting dirt to in-range Ph near done. Heating up my in-home hot-house to get mater's started early. Once the weather warms a tad I want to turn everything again. Plus I want to get something to kill the squash beetle things right now.

 

[Popcorn]

I want to get something to kill the squash beetle things right now.

They are a real challenge. When you find the cure please share it here.
My plan for now is when they show up I pull out the squash then later plant more for a fall flush. The Amish produce stand fills in the middle.

 

[DaveB]

They are a real challenge. When you find the cure please share it here.

I have tried quite a few home solutions, nothing has worked. I did not plant ANY for 4 years......they got me bad when I did.

I have malathion, best bug killer I know except a heel to the head. I may soak the ground and start the plants indoors in plastic containers with bottom cut out and then plant in soaked area. I know, malathion has a short life....just playing the odds here.

Also thinking about big plastic bucket per plant with netting for fruit support and permeable cloth covering the dirt. And diatomaceous earth piled up around the base of the plant.

Doing this because weirdly enough, store bought zucchini tastes strange to me. And Yellow zucchini has a flavor I like but not found in stores.

 

[woodyard]

I made a mistake last year of buying a few tomato seeds from Amazon, i think out of three varieties only one seemed to be true to name. The other two were different varieties from labeling and one of which I think the outfit must have saved its seed from the f1 hybrid which of course resulted in it being all over the place. Will not ever do that again to save a few bucks . I will stick with the old mail oder companies.

 

[Brushwhacker]

Seeds an such has best deals . I have all the high price catalogs an don't buy nothing from them . Save lot melon seeds an few others

 

[DaveB]

I made a mistake last year of buying a few tomato seeds from Amazon,

Had the same experience. I complained and they did nothing so I complained again and they refunded my coin. Thing is, I had 20 times the coin in work and wasted time.

I pretty much stick with Ferry Morse and occasionally Burpee.

 

[Huntaholic]

Only buy and plant heirloom varieties! Save some seed stock from the current year and never buy seeds again. The vast majority of seeds for sale now are hybrid, meaning they wont reproduce. DONT BUY THAT CRAP!
Ive got some seed stock thats at least 4 generations deep in my family.