How to Pick the Best Seeds For Your Garden

For gardeners, there is no better way to spend a frosty winter’s day than sitting back with a plethora of seed catalogues, leafing through colourful pages. You may even come across seeds in the dollar store, or the garden centre which send you into a rapture.

How do you pick the best seeds when every page full of amazing flowers and vegetables? You feel the adrenalin pumping at the thought of creating your garden.

To make the transition from Seed Catalogue, or seed package to the fruit of your garden a reality, there are a few things to consider:

What Kind of Garden?

Let’s start with the kind of garden you have or want to create. The most common types are the following:

• Flower
  
• Vegetable
  
• Herb
  
• Container
  
• Rock
  
• Water
  
• Butterfly
  
• Container

There are many other types of gardens, but this does show that there is a garden for everyone, so when choosing seeds, the type of garden is the foundation.

Each seed requires its own environment for optimal growth as we have all learnt at one time or another. So, if you mix and match seeds, they will have to match the right environment to thrive.

Read the descriptions carefully as they provide a wealth of information that will help you make the right choices.

Size and Space

Sometimes our eyes are bigger than our garden. The patch of land which you envision can suddenly take all the melons, tomatoes, and squash plants that are in the seed package. Then, if we grow too much it will go to waste. It’s the same for flowers, as some have invasive tendencies which may have you trying to remove them for years to come. Size up your space for the best return on investment. For example, containers are not good for plants like melons.

How much do you want to spend?

Not much, is the answer, that is one of the reasons for growing your own from seeds. The increased cost of plant production has been passed on to the consumer.

I came across some great bargain seeds at the local Habitat for Humanity store. The carrots that came from the seed package I bought were the sweetest and tastiest I have ever sampled. This goes to show you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good viable seeds.

By using some of the frugal propagation methods readily available you have control over the types and amount of seeds you bring to harvest.

You may want to share seeds with other growers, save seeds from previous years, or use seed libraries. Check with your local library to see if they run a seed sharing program, or online in your area. In Canada you can get seeds from Seeds of Diversity, which encourages local seed exchange

Growing season

Have a plan for your garden. This will save time and money in the long run. How long will it take for the seed to germinate and reach maturity? What will you do with the produce and when? It is nice to have a continuous flow in your garden, So use the catalogue descriptions which give detailed characteristics, to guide you in your choices.

Make a note of the last frost date to the next frost date. This can be found via an almanac or online.

F1 or Hybrid seeds

The term F1 is the initial offspring of breeding of two different varieties of plant to produce a third variety. It is a first generation Hybrid. They are seeds which have been commercially produced and have two different parent plants. These are more expensive to produce, and do not promote genetic diversity like open pollinated seeds.

Organic – are certified grown without herbicides, or pesticides and are suited for the organic garden. You may not require organic seed which will save you money.

Open pollinated means they have been pollinated naturally by natures helpers, such as birds and insects. you can save these seeds and get the same plant next year. These provide better to resistance to crop diseases.

Heirloom seeds usually means they have been passed down through the generations and will have varieties used by ancestors, which were grown before the use of synthetic additions to the soil. The heirloom seed will produce the same plant true to type for each generation. The vegetables produced give a taste of food from begone years.

Bulk Buy

If you buy more, especially from the same company, you will probably be offered a discount rate. You may also get a discount on the shipping. Compare costs between seed companies before you buy. Look for free shopping.

For Example

So, after all that information, how do I choose seeds. I have a flower and vegetable garden, and a reasonable space. I focus on things I like to prepare from the garden, I don’t have a lot of time, or community to process a large crop.

My choice is driven by practical and emotional needs. I have been using my favourite herb catalogue since my salad days.

Clove Pink

My first choice came by way of a very interesting story. While reading the description for this flower, it mentioned that it was the source for Grenadine. I was quite surprised because on my first visit to France, (many years ago). I was informed that Grenadine was made from Pomegranate juice.

Further research into this anomaly was soon solved by the folks at The Art of Drink, they provided a very detailed and interesting history of Clove Pink, which was once used to flavour ales and wines. I can’t wait to make syrup form this plant.

Bloodroot

I have a well shaded area with gone wild periwinkle making claim to it. Also, vying for space is poison ivy, a nemesis in this area. Bloodroot is the plant of choice to convert the space. It is a native woodland flower and has herbal remedy qualities which will come in handy.

Garlic

I can’t get enough of garlic, it goes into most of my dishes, whether it is good raw or cooked. Given the price of imported garlic in the grocery stores, this is a good choice. Not all garlics are equal and a good robust taste is my preference.

Ginseng

I am looking forward to the herbal benefits of this plant. It is also an exercise in patience, as this plant takes three to six years to mature. The Canadian woodland is perfect for this, as this is about rewilding because the wild supply is dwindling.

Double Hollyhock

I have always been partial to the English country garden look which would not be complete with hollyhocks. Their tall splendour will add that cottage look as backdrop to the home.

Huacatay

This herb revives memories of my visit to the Andes, Peru. The village where I stayed permeated with the smell of this herb each day around lunch time. I will be experimenting with Peruvian cuisine once I grow some Huacatay.

Lemon Verbena

This plant makes one of the most delicious lemon teas ever. It’s that simple.

There you have it. Go forth and enjoy your seed shopping.