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Old August 28, 2013   #1
socalgardengal
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Default What's are your favorite seed catalogs?

It's almost time to start ordering catalogs and I was wondering if I've been missing out on some good ones. Please tell me your favorites. Thanks
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Old August 28, 2013   #2
Father'sDaughter
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I've ordered from several and they've all been great - Tomato Growers Supply, Knapp's, Tatiana's, Remy's site, Seeds of Italy, etc.

I usually decide what I want, then order from the T'ville "approved" vendor that has most of what's on my list.
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Old August 28, 2013   #3
jack03111969
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for me its bakers creek
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Old August 28, 2013   #4
Gavriil
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jack03111969 View Post
for me its bakers creek
Ditto That, Since you asked. Well the prettiest anyway.
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Old August 28, 2013   #5
Alfredo
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Good question socalgardengal

Hard to say as the closest thing i like to collect next to seeds are the seed catalogs themselves!

In terms of selection and the quality of the catalog itself, the following are the ones I'm constantly looking over:

Tomato Growers Supply Company
Seed Savers Exchange
High Mowing Organic Seeds
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Seeds of Italy

For rare/fragrant flower seeds the "Select Seeds" catalog.

And though not for seeds, the full-color 120 page Rose Handbook/catalog put out by David Austin is a must!

For Trees, the "Tree-Book" catalog by the Arbor Day Foundation is really informative, and for you Japanese Maple lovers, the "Essence of the Tree" Japanese Maple catalog, it's amazing the variety of Japanese Maples!

All these catalogs are free btw.

Ok I think that's enough catalogs from me, I can suggest more...but i'll just wait to see what the other tomatovillians mention first.
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Old August 28, 2013   #6
shelleybean
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I like Southern Exposure and Baker Creek. I order a lot from Victory but their catalog doesn't have many pictures so when I want to look around there I use their web site.
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Old August 28, 2013   #7
Doug9345
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I'm going to include web sites as well as paper catalogs.

The one's with paper catalogs that I have ordered from and prefer the paper over the web site.

Stokes
Fedco

Company's that I have ordered from and visit their web site often that either don't have paper catalogs or I don't care if they send them or not.

Remy -Sample Seed Shop
Trade Wind Fruits
Gourmet Seeds
Sand Hill Preservation
Wild Boar Farms
Two I've added
https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/index.php
http://www.mainstreetseedandsupply.c...Seeds_s/55.htm not a large selection but if you want a pound of Rutger seed they have it for $60

People that I haven't had the pleasure to order from, but are definitely going to get money from me this year

Tatiannia
Double Helix
Carol Knapp
Fred Hempel
Heritage Seed
Secret Seed Cartel
Tom Wagner at his 2 sites

I forgot to add Seed savers exchange both the catalog and year book.


List I added
Companies that I've come across that I'd try
http://www.dianeseeds.com/
Swallowtail seeds http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com
http://www.adaptiveseeds.com/
http://www.azuredandelion.com/
http://appalachianheirloomplantfarm....bean-seed.html
http://www.nativeseeds.org/
http://www.seedsofindia.com/
http://www.skyfiregardenseeds.com/
http://cooperseeds.com/

Last edited by Doug9345; August 28, 2013 at 10:12 PM. Reason: To add companies
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Old August 28, 2013   #8
socalgardengal
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Keep 'em coming! Some I haven't even heard of. Post websites as well. There are many I don't know about. I love catalogs. I've learned alot just thumbing through them. I have to join seed savers this year. Thanks for the reminder
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Old August 28, 2013   #9
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As far as looking at physical catalogs with gorgeous photos, I don't have a lot to offer. But for online catalogs I want to give a shout-out to Tomatovillans Heritage Tomato Seed (whom I've ordered from, with astoundingly fast delivery) and Double Helix. Both of them have beautiful websites, with fantastic photos. But what I value most is their intelligence and honesty. With most catalogs, every tomato (or other plant) is the best tasting ever. I love it when a seed vendor gives a little history but also says something like, "Productivity is good, taste is above average, but hey, you might like it better than we do." Here's an actual quote from Double Helix: "I couldn’t keep the blossom end rot off of these. Perhaps someone in a different part of the country can give these a try and do better than I did. They are worth growing for their beauty alone." That kind of description doesn't make me say, "Oh, no! BER!" It make me say, "Yeah, I should give them a try and see if I do better!"

Also, Tatiana's site is to Tomatoes what Wikipedia is to everything else. In a good way.
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Old August 28, 2013   #10
JoParrott
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LazyOxFarms.com is great and free seed shipping with no minimum
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Old August 28, 2013   #11
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I find that I don't spend much time anymore looking at the paper catalogs and spend most of my time perusing the online versions. There are many good seed vendors who don't have paper catalogs. My favorites (that I consistently order from) are Heritage Tomato Seed (see the Heritage thread for some excellent reviews!), Remy's Sample Seed Shop, Tatiana's TomatoBase and Baker Creek. Even though Park Seed has some poor reviews here, I have never had a problem with them and I always order my germination supplies from them. I get great germination with their bio-sponge system.

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Old August 28, 2013   #12
Father'sDaughter
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Quote:
Originally Posted by socalgardengal View Post
Keep 'em coming! Some I haven't even heard of. Post websites as well. There are many I don't know about. I love catalogs. I've learned alot just thumbing through them. I have to join seed savers this year. Thanks for the reminder
If you look at the stickies in this section, you'll see threads for a lot of seeds companies owned by T'ville members, as well as a thread listing all the recommended seed vendors that is maintained by Mischka. Happy shopping!
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Old August 29, 2013   #13
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I prefer naturally grown, or organically grown seeds, and of the mailed-to home paper catalogs, High Mowing, Johnny’s, Seed Savers & West Coast Seeds are my most read while ‘reclined.’

I can remember when the two words; ‘hybrid’ & ‘organic’ were not available from the same source. High Mowing and Johnny’s changed that model and West Coast Seeds
followed close behind. And so those are my current three favorites, with Seed Savers Exchange in 4th -


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Old August 29, 2013   #14
Doug9345
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I assume people know about this sticky thread but I'll post the link anyway in case someone has missed it.
http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=3

Last edited by Doug9345; August 29, 2013 at 12:22 PM.
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Old August 29, 2013   #15
Alfredo
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A few more catalogs that haven't been mentioned:

Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply.
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds. (Not much visual appeal, some plants are illustrated, however has informative descriptions)

For Fruit trees/vines:
Miller Nurseries.

For Bulbs:
Dutch Gardens.
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Last edited by Alfredo; August 29, 2013 at 10:42 AM.
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