Buying garden seeds

**scooby8themall** · 02-03-2010, 09:24 AM

I was reading an article on another site that said garden seeds will be in short supply this year( not that I always believe every thing I read ) so I have been picking up my seeds when ever I get a chance because they are out now.Just wondering if any one else had read any thing on this or do you order or buy your seeds early any ways.

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-03-2010, 10:06 AM

i bought seeds yesterday at our local farm store (rural king)...when i handed them to the clerk and laughed about buying them so early she told me they are selling them left & right and they just got them in....although there will be lots of shipments she thinks they are going to get picked over and sell fast....she also said they had that problem last year too...but believes this year is going to be worse coz people are really starting to let this 'recession' stuff sink in...it's not going to go away quickly....i tend to agree....

**Russ** · 02-03-2010, 10:23 AM

yep, bought mine already too.

I did hear the same thing about the shortages due to the wet weather last year.

http://www.boston.com/business/artic...seed_shortage/

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-03-2010, 10:31 AM

There was a rush on garden supplies last year because of people suddenly taking an interest in growing their own food (due to the economy). A lot of the catalog companies got swamped, orders were very late, some varieties sold out early. I did not notice a difference at our local nurseries and garden shops.

I ordered my seed just before New Year's, partly because certain varieties are not sold in stores here.

FWIW I had a banner year last year. We had more rain than average and I had the best crops of the last 10 years I've had this garden.

**KeithBC** · 02-03-2010, 11:06 AM

We bought most of our seeds at our local "Seedy Saturday" event last weekend. They had vendors selling heritage varieties. We are making an effort to avoid buying hybrid seeds so that we can save our own seeds from year to year in future. Hybrids can't reproduce. Saving our own seeds for the future of course means that we will not be vulnerable to availability.

**andrew's mom** · 02-03-2010, 02:33 PM

I have not heard anything about that but I bought mine early this year too because I want to start a garden from seed instead of seedlings. Mine are all heirloom and most are organic seeds. I am looking very forward to my project. You can find out more about these heirloom seeds at http://www.seedsavers.org/. They have a huge variety.
M.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-03-2010, 05:54 PM

I have yet to hear anything about a shortage, but I will be purchasing my seeds the next time I go to Superstore. I wonder if that's why they had their stock out so early this year.

We're purchasing purely organic seeds because of our diet, so I'll have to see what they have in stock for what we want.

**brainyblonde** · 02-03-2010, 10:03 PM

I received a $25 gift certificate from Burpee for my birthday last fall. I just placed an order from the 2010 catalog for several seed packets and heirloom tomato plants. I will also be ordering cherry tomato plants and pepper plants within the next few weeks. Last year, many of the heirloom varieties sold out early. I do fill in with plants grown locally, but it is difficult to find any variety in heirlooms. I love trying new things.

**Debbie-cat** · 02-03-2010, 11:08 PM

Good to know that the seeds are out already. I don't go to the stores much but I will make the extra trip to grab my seeds as they were sold out in no time last year!

**frugalfranny** · 02-04-2010, 12:32 AM

Guess I best be watching for my seeds. Will only need to buy a few as I still have some. But have to buy what our stores don't/won't carry - also what I can't get in a starter plant.

**old_lady_in_the_shoe** · 02-05-2010, 09:37 PM

I have heard this "rumor" online too...
I do think there will be a shortage, but not because of actually shortages of seeds, but because so many more people are planting gardens. This happens a lot when the economy is bad. If you read on other forums (like gardening, homesteading, and such) there are a lot of "new" people getting "interested" in gardening to save a buck, or make it easier on themself in these economic times. I think the seeds will sell out earlier because of the shear number of people buying the has increased... but I have been getting mine early too, as I would hate to "be without"... It is better safe than sorry! JMHO

**sue s** · 02-06-2010, 01:44 PM

I use Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. All heirlooms from around the world. They have a great internet site and free catalog too. Just Google them.

**mauimagic** · 02-06-2010, 01:49 PM

Think it's the economy that is going to be running the rush to get seeds. I'm looking forward to be growing more this year both for financial and self-sufficiency reasons.

**ladytoysdream** · 02-06-2010, 02:22 PM

I read that rumor also online about shortages.

But I too think the economy is PUSHING people to do different things that they were not doing before, or doing very little of.

Your selection will be better the earlier you buy of course.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-06-2010, 11:39 PM

Yeah, there's a huge selection of seeds out now because most people don't think of buying them this early (either that or they bought them at the end of last year and/or are having them shipped in).

Just to be on the safe side, I'll pick up my seeds this week. I have to go back to Superstore to pick up Valentine's Day cards for the boys, plus get some bread, so it'll be a good time to empty the change jar a bit more. I've also been saving my egg cartons, which will help with the seeds that aren't being put directly into the ground.