Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[R2elk]

Whoa, not such good reviews. I used to receive their catalogs but never ordered from them...guess that's a good thing.

The one thing to remember about these review sites is that the people that have problems with companies are far more likely to leave a bad review than the people that are satisfied leaving a good review. My experience is that sites such as Burgess are normally fine when ordering seeds but that the quality of live plants and trees can leave much to be desired.

 

[microchick]

I ordered three times from Burgess and quit. The last order, nothing survived. They sent me sticks with no roots. The clematis that I ordered came with two dried roots that were about a half an inch long attached to a 2 inch dried up stick.Out of the 18 items ordered over a three year period, the only things that did well are two pussy willows, three rose of Sharon's, a small yucca plant and three white pineapple strawberry plants that I got for free. The funny thing is with the pineapple strawberry plants, is they did great but never produced berries. When I looked up the species I learned that they required a regular strawberry plant planted near by in order to bear berries. Everything else ordered has died. The last order had 0 plants survive and they didn't send me one order (canna bulbs) until I emailed them then they came but it was late July and they marked them as a replacement,not the originals so I could never send them back when they failed.

I consider them to be bad news. When I order from Stark Bro's nursery in southern MO, all plants and trees come swaddled in wet newspaper and the roots covered in plastic. Not so with Burgess.

Also be aware that they own other nurseries: https://horticulturetalk.wordpress....the-real-owner-of-your-favorite-seed-catalog/

I won't say avoid them like poison. That is just my experience and opinion of them. Buyer beware. But if you are willing to engage in plant poker with them and are willing to loose both plants and money, go for it.

Oh, I almost forgot. When I dealt with them on a single replacement on a failed plant, they give you one year, but insist you save the mailing label. If you don't have the label, be prepared for feet dragging on their part. I'm sorry. I don't save labels that long. With Stark Bro's all they do is look up your order and send you a replacement for the dead or failure to thrive item.

Trust me, there are better people out there to do business with. I'll stick to Burpee's and the local Amish ran nurseries and seed retail shops that are around us.

 

[chickadoodles]

The one thing to remember about these review sites is that the people that have problems with companies are far more likely to leave a bad review than the people that are satisfied leaving a good review. My experience is that sites such as Burgess are normally fine when ordering seeds but that the quality of live plants and trees can leave much to be desired.

I agree. I have ordered to many trees and vines from them and they all die.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks for the Burgess exposure. I'd not consider ordering from them, but it's good to expose such poor companies where many folks will get the bad news!

I do well with Fedco Trees, and with St. Lawrence Nursery. Have heard good reports regarding Starks.

When ordering seeds, beware as well. Many small companies are owned by Mega companies. I was all set to order from Seeds Now, (have done so in the past) until I found out that they are owned by Monsanto. I'll not do business with Monsanto, and will not choose to order from a company who buys from Monsanto. Fedco, and Pine Tree will not sell GMO. And Fedco is hugely involved in OSSI: Open Source Seed Initiative. This is a movement to move many seeds away from genetic patenting laws and putting ownership of the genetic material back in the hands of the individual gardeners where it belongs.

 

[chickadoodles]

Thanks for the Burgess exposure. I'd not consider ordering from them, but it's good to expose such poor companies where many folks will get the bad news!

I do well with Fedco Trees, and with St. Lawrence Nursery. Have heard good reports regarding Starks.

When ordering seeds, beware as well. Many small companies are owned by Mega companies. I was all set to order from Seeds Now, (have done so in the past) until I found out that they are owned by Monsanto. I'll not do business with Monsanto, and will not choose to order from a company who buys from Monsanto. Fedco, and Pine Tree will not sell GMO. And Fedco is hugely involved in OSSI: Open Source Seed Initiative. This is a movement to move many seeds away from genetic patenting laws and putting ownership of the genetic material back in the hands of the individual gardeners where it belongs.

Thanks lg. I did not know about that OSSI or the patent laws.
I try to avoid Monsanto as much as possible.
I will do more business with Fedco.
I just put in a an order with them.

 

[rjohns39]

Nope, that is ok NFC. Thanks for offering though. I need to go out and cover my plants again!

I think this last freeze did me in... Got a little spinach that looks to have survived, kale and broccoli are pretty much dead. Not sure what shape the carrots are in, but will probably start harvesting babies.

 

[N F C]

I think this last freeze did me in... Got a little spinach that looks to have survived, kale and broccoli are pretty much dead. Not sure what shape the carrots are in, but will probably start harvesting babies.

Baby carrots are good! Carrots are one thing I never had any luck growing (unless you count little toothpick shaped things ok).

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Anyone wanna recommend a good all purpose apple? Zone 6/7 I prefer something a little crisper and tart.

 

[R2elk]

Anyone wanna recommend a good all purpose apple? Zone 6/7 I prefer something a little crisper and tart.

Grandpa's Orchard is an excellent source of information on fruit trees whether or not you are planning to buy from them.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Grandpa's Orchard is an excellent source of information on fruit trees whether or not you are planning to buy from them.

Thank you! Quite helpful!