Free Garden Catalogs

I need a good seed catalog for planning summer garden ? ?

I am looking to plan as I am so sick of snow. I have shepherds coming and maybe one other. Any thoughts?

Public Comments

1. My favorites are Jung's and R.H. Shumway's. They are different divisions of the same company in Randolph, Wisconsin. Fedco seeds is another good one. They are from Waterville, Maine. Their catalog is huge with seeds, tubers and trees.
2. I'm from the south & all I've ever heard of people using is Park Seed Company. Their website is parkseed.com They've been around since 1868 & are located in Greenwood, SC.
3. I do order from Jung's too, and Vermont Bean Seed Company. But my favorite is a little company from Maine called Pine Tree Seeds. They have the lowest prices & shipping, overall, and they ship at the right time if you order live products (such as I ordered blueberry bushes last year). Do NOT order from Henry Field's or Gurney's - they are the same company - they have sent me seed contaminated with other varieties twice, ruining my crop of edible podded peas by mixing in garden peas (so I never knew when I chewed on one if it was edible or not, so I couldn't stir fry). Also, Henry Field's sent me blueberry bushes in April in northern Minnesota & my ground was frozen, so I lost them. Pine Tree didn't send them until a month later, at the right time.
4. Have you considered looking through an on line company to see the photos and other info for each plant you are interested in. They give the growing zones and if the plant needs full sun or shade etc... Then consider joining an online seed swap. You wouldn't believe the seeds you can get. Some people have so many of some things, they will let people have them for an SASE. That is Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. Check out the direct gardening link for info on what you might like. http://www.directgardening.com/prodnav.asp?cat_search=Ant&header=Angel~Trumpets The angel trumpets shown on the site are called Brugmansia by the scientific name. Datura is similar but the plants are up right and don't drape down like an umbrella. However beware on what you order from these places. The plants come in the stage of dormancy. You need to soak them in watter with a little bleach in it to fight off disease. Then you have you have to plant, and spray them for them to leaf out. If you order 6 to get a special price, chances are that only 3 to 4 will actually come to life. Some of the seed trades actually also trade real plants, or you may be able to get what you want, just for the shipping. Check out the yahoo seed swap, and the many others.
5. I always order from "Totally Tomatoes" they also have alot of other veges as well. Another good book is Burgess, they have really nice flowers, and veges too...Both can be found on line to look at and order free catalog. I have always had good costumer service, Burgess guarantee's all there plants (roots). I have purchased many berry plants, and very happy with them.
6. There's a great company out of Maine called Johnny's Seeds. They have a huge array of organic and non-organic vegetalbe and flower seeds. You could also google your own state followed by "seed company."