Best time to order seeds?

This might be a silly rookie question, but I've never ordered anything but garlic from a seed company so far. When do most of you buy seeds? Do you buy all of your spring, summer and fall seeds at the same time? I'd love some advice from those of you more experienced at ordering seeds.

i kind of buy them as I need them. You use them so sparingly with the SFG, they last for years!! If I see something I like, but it's not "time" to plant them, I get them anyway and plant them accordingly. I've never purchased them through a catalog, usually get them at garden stores etc.

First, I would say to save up an order and make a fairly decent sized one. That would effectively lower your shipping costs.

Second, I would say to wait until just before you need them....allowing for shipping times. You sort of do the best you can to ensure you get the freshest seeds possible that way.

Third, I wouldn't be afraid to order at any time I saw what I wanted. I know in spring backorders can happen quickly after the newest catalogs hit doorsteps. But, the first two would take precedence in my decisions.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

southern gardener - I, too, bought seeds from local sources and find that is a good way to get varieties that do well in my area. I've found that they don't always have the varieties I want to try, though. I planted Black Seeded Simpson lettuce because I couldn't find the Black Seeded Simpson Elite that BBG plants & I so wanted to try.

BBG - I'll try to balance the three factors. I did notice when I was just browsing the online catalogs that they do tend to sell out the most popular varieties fairly early. There are definitely a few varieties that I especially want to try, so I might "push the envelope" and order them earlier than most.

Thanks much, guys!

Being in the GWN, last year I did my seed shopping online on New Year's weekend - to make sure that some of the varieties I wanted to try would not be out of stock. I did try a different company for my onions and potatoes this time - so they wouldn't arrive in February when we still had 2+ months of winter! Cold and snow outside, dreaming of spring, knowing I was going to be trying SFG as soon as I could get out and build my boxes (had read the ALL NEW book during December), I ordered to my heart's content and plotted how to set up a better seed starting area in the house. It was a wonderful dreamin' weekend!

GG

If I buy tomato seeds now, would they still be viable come seed-starting time next spring? I'm afraid that if I wait until spring, the varieties that I want will be gone.

I'm narrowing my choices for next year's tomato crop.

Since I don't have the space to start my own tomato plants, I contacted a local farm to see if they would grow them for me if I buy the seeds. They happily said yes.

Too Tall Tomatoes wrote:If I buy tomato seeds now, would they still be viable come seed-starting time next spring? I'm afraid that if I wait until spring, the varieties that I want will be gone.

I'm narrowing my choices for next year's tomato crop.

They will absolutely work! Some seed varieties have longer 'shelf-life' than others, but many types of seeds are good for several years. The older seeds get, the lower the germination rate, but tomatoes are good for at least a few. (did you read about the 2000 yr. old date palm seed that germinated? WOW!)

GG

Absolutely, your tomato seeds will make it. I would put them in an airtight container and tuck them away in the fridge until I needed them. That little stint in the fridge will trick them into thinking they made it through winter, too. (My germination rates for spinach dropped off the map until I put them in the freezer for 2 weeks. Suddenly, every one of them sprouted. Coincidence, or winter?)

A lot of people commented last year that they ordered their seed catalogs as soon as they came out with the new versions. I don't remember when that is (November?), but I know their releases are very close. Look through the site for names, or google a few yourself. Call them, email them, or register for the catalog on their site directly. The sooner you get the catalog ordered, the sooner you will be able to order your seeds. I know that's one thing our members get giddy about....seed catalog arrivals. They seem to get more excited about seeds this time of year than Christmas itself.

Anyone have any comments of which seed company is better? I have check some online but have never gone this route so any input would be helpful.

Just a note .

A very good friend of mine used to be a nursery man and also a market gardener before he retired .

I chanced to meet up with him in a large local garden centre where all seeds were going for less than half price as they were clearing the decks to make a Santa's Grotto etc etc.for Christmas & they needed the display spaces.

He told me that I should try & only buy the seeds that are contained in a hermaticaly sealed packet and contained in the sales envelope packet.

He told me that the hermatically sealed seeds in the foil pack are good for ten or more years if kept unopened .

He also advised me to use scissors to careflully cut the packet top off clean across the top so you can still read the information on the packet and only cut a corner off the foil packet of seeds .

Once opened use the seeds in the sort of time scales suggested by Mel

Once opened , to keep the moisture out the seeds slip in the foil packet five or six grains of rice that has been baked extra dry ( almost orange light brown ) in an oven and stored in an air tight container then carefully fold the edge of the foil pack back over and slip it back in the envelope.

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for your advice. There's really no great need for me to get the tomato seeds now. I'm narrowing down my list of tomatoes to grow next year and maybe if I buy them now, I won't be so quick to change my mind come seed-starting time.
Since I have someone lined up to grow my tomato plants next year, I could give her the seeds now(as soon as I order them) and that way she knows I'm serious about this.

It's amazing when you find something you're passionate about.