This past year, I ordered from:
1. Gurneys: new to me. The two different rhubarb have done well. I also ordered bug netting, but it wasn’t great-water just rolled off no mater what direction I sprayed water from or how high or low the pressure. I wrote a negative review to warn others it shed water but could be a light frost cover, and did receive an in-store credit for the item, so I’d give them another try.
2. Territorial. Always had positive experiences. Good selection. I’ve ordered seeds, plants, potatoes from them. Have nothing negative to say except a few things seem to be pushing the upper end of being too pricey (10 seeds of x for $7.98, for example- but to be fair, that tomato was extraordinarily productive and tasty, and every single seed germinated and was healthy).
3. Burpee. Excellent germination in every.single.thing. Their descriptions and info are also correct, accurate, informative. They have amazing selection in several categories, but limited in others. Big company, always have new things to try, and sometimes we need hybrids to get us something good for our microclimate or bug issues -and they certainly have hybrids. I’ve gotten started plants from them -they performed well and were all healthy. I’ve gotten strawberry and raspberry plants from them -also very happy with those. Sounds like I love them, right? Well, I have had some issues with them and their CS is rather poor. But, the positives outweigh the negatives for me and I’ll keep checking them out for offerings.
4. Seed Savers. I’ve always checked their offerings. Have unique items and good selections in some categories. Prices can be a bit high. Not everything has germinated to my expectations, but most have.
5. Baker Creek: first time using them. Verdict not yet determined. Have had good germination on all carrots, rutabaga, tomato and melon seeds. Some interesting offerings.
6. John Scheepers Kitchen Garden seeds: first time using them. Bought spring shipped garlic (waiting for fall shipped), spring one grew well. Seeds: I find their packets lacking in information- pretty sure they don’t list “days to harvest” info as an example, and descriptions are a bit general. Good varied offerings. I bought several seed packets, including flower seeds. Poor germination on some marigolds, and completely no germination on climbing snapdragons. Would consider them again…but would not buy solely from them.
7. Sandhill Preservation. EXCELLENT selection and pricing. They are a small operation focused on preservation rather than profit. So, there are some good and bad with this. The good: they hand measure do you always get extra seeds. They also believe in giving more if the harvest gave more: I received a jam packed packet of one type of garlic bulblets - must have been 150-200 bulblets in the packet. The bad….I’ve gotten a mixed packet of pepper seeds once-I started several seeds from one packet of x variety. The resulting mature plants all produced different peppers…hmm maybe a less organized helper just wasn’t paying attention? Also, they are old school: print order and mail it in with check. No one there to answer phone all the time. But, they do respond to emails very well and I have gotten ahold of someone in the office. Lots of info on the website. I’ve ordered chickens and many, many seeds from them. This year tried sweet potatoes (they offer around 200 varieties), and they are doing well, so far.
It’s fun to seed shop and see all the offerings.
