Even the seed companies are getting on the frugal wagon!

**Judi Dial** · 03-02-2010, 10:15 AM

I was just looking for a bean seed that I used to buy from Burpee's and found something called "Burpee's Money Garden," and so of course I had to look.

It's a prepackaged set of 6 easy to grow vegetable seeds for $10.

Here's a link:
Burpee's Money Garden - Green Bush - Beans - Vegetables - Burpee

If I didn't already have nearly enough seeds for the garden already and the few I'm missing are favorites, I might do this!

The package deal contains bush beans, carrots, peas, lettuce, carrots, and peppers.

Judi

**ml2620** · 03-02-2010, 10:39 AM

Thanks Judi, I love my Burpee's catalog, I may have to check this out.

Also - I love your Avatar picture!!!

**mauimagic** · 03-02-2010, 01:34 PM

Great idea - mahalo for posting!!

**frugalfranny** · 03-02-2010, 01:41 PM

Thanks judi.

Like you - I 'almost' have all the seeds I need. And have already ordered the ones I want.

Will be interesting to watch 'the garden product people' this spring ---to see what they come up with for sales. Maybe they won't have to; with more people growing their own food. But there might be some good 'plant' sales----outside of the veggie garden!! HOPE SO!

I even noticed I got a survey the other day----and if filled out will get free shipping on next order. I am a real tightwad when it comes to shipping costs and this company happens to have HORRENDOUS prices on shipping. BUT I have ordered from them every time that they offer me FREE SHIPPING!! (if the prices aren't RAISED on the product that I wanted)

**Trentt** · 03-03-2010, 08:54 AM

My first seed order always goes to Pinetree Garden Seeds in Maine. Where else is the average cost of a packet of seeds about $1.25?? Some are even less than $1.

Of course, hit Tru-Valu in June and if you're not choosy, you can get 10 packets for $1.

Park Seed in SC is on the expensive side, but in the middle of the catalog for the past few years there's been a bargain section (no photos, limited choice) where you can get packets for $0.75 up to about $2.

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

Originally Posted by Trentt

My first seed order always goes to Pinetree Garden Seeds in Maine. Where else is the average cost of a packet of seeds about $1.25?? Some are even less than $1.

That's because their packets contain less than other brands. They cater to home gardeners who are not planting multiple 50 foot rows of vegetables. But they are a good seed company, and if you know you're only going to put in 6 bell pepper plants, and not half an acre of them, they're a good choice.

**Trentt** · 03-03-2010, 10:47 AM

This is true. If I earned my living at a farmers' market I'd buy in bulk. But I've had the same pack of Chinese cabbage seeds for about 12 years and must have 850 seeds left. That said, standard packets from Park or Burpee's will only rarely have more than 50 seeds, either. But they've got stellar selections and gorgeous catalogs.

**Judi Dial** · 03-04-2010, 08:10 PM

Trentt,

Not quite that cheap, but this has been my favorite source for years...the ecology action group in Willits, Ca. Their catalog is called "bountiful gardens" and they sell organic seeds as well as some heirloom stuff. Here's a link:

heirloom - untreated - sustainable - vegetable seeds - Bountiful Gardens

Judi

**Charles C** · 03-05-2010, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Trentt

This is true. If I earned my living at a farmers' market I'd buy in bulk. But I've had the same pack of Chinese cabbage seeds for about 12 years and must have 850 seeds left. That said, standard packets from Park or Burpee's will only rarely have more than 50 seeds, either. But they've got stellar selections and gorgeous catalogs.

12 years do you freeze them, had my cabbage a couple of years and it didn't come up this year. So bought some fresh and put them in the same flats, umm come to think of that, I had some California Wonder Peppers that didn't come up last year so I put in Okra, about a month later everyone of those Peppers came up, donno. I do tend to buy in bulk, and I used to keep the seeds in the freezer, and they kept well til the DW kicked them out, well they're going back in. I like having my seeds instead of getting my order and having this and that shorted every year.

**Trentt** · 03-05-2010, 07:12 AM

I keep my leftover seeds in old coffee tins, sealed, in the refrigerator. Those Chinese Cabbages germinate every year, and they are a good 12 (if not 15 or more) years old. I have seeds saved by my dad (some hot peppers) that still germinate, and he died in 1990.

The only seeds I don't have luck with beyond year #2 using this method are onion seeds, which seem to lose viability rapidly as they age.

The seeds stay there virtually continuously. I only remove them to take out what I want to plant in the current year, then they go back in their refrigerated tins.

**Charles C** · 03-06-2010, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by Trentt

I keep my leftover seeds in old coffee tins, sealed, in the refrigerator. Those Chinese Cabbages germinate every year, and they are a good 12 (if not 15 or more) years old. I have seeds saved by my dad (some hot peppers) that still germinate, and he died in 1990.

The only seeds I don't have luck with beyond year #2 using this method are onion seeds, which seem to lose viability rapidly as they age.

The seeds stay there virtually continuously. I only remove them to take out what I want to plant in the current year, then they go back in their refrigerated tins.

Trentt I'm going to take you at your word, I've got some champion tomato seed sent by a friend from New York about 15 years ago, so here's hoping. Well I finally found a seed company that promised me my Big Beef's and Pink Girls that were cut off by other seed companys. They got my first order here in 3 days and gave me some bonus seed, we will see I need the Big Beef bad, a year is not complete without Jet Stars and Big Beefs, now I like Supersteak Hybrid a whole bunch and Lemon Boys and Pink Girls, I never go without those ugly Beefmasters, as ugly as they are they taste great C'ya.

**Trentt** · 03-09-2010, 07:31 AM

My sister gave me a shoebox of old seeds, but they'd been kept in a closet or on a windowsill or something and although I keep trying, so far none have germinated. I also wouldn't claim that the seeds I keep year after year remain 100% viable ... I'm sure some lose vigor even under the dark, cold, airtight conditions they're stored in. But I can't think of the last time I threw seeds out. Even thouse doubtful ones from my sister ... if I plant some in a container and nothing sprouts, I put in something else. I'll keep trying!