when to order from seed catalogs?????

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courvier7 San Antonio, TX Feb 25, 2011

Hello, I'd like to order from several seed catalogs but I've heard horror stories of

orders getting backed up due to the spring rush and was wondering when is it a

good time to start ordering? I'm ok with ordering hot-weather loving veggies a

little later but I'd concerned about getting them started in time.

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Feb 25, 2011

Depends. Any major company is required to a current germination test for each year. That testing is usually conducted in December. They are allowed to sell seeds tested the previous December for practically the whole year. So if you order in the fall you will get seeds tested for that year. If you wait until late December or later you will get seeds germination tested for the coming year. Remember that under this system fresh seeds ( grown that year) is not the objective. You may get 5 year old seeds as long as the germination rates are within specificationS. I usually order shortly after Christmas and have never encountered back-up. Do have to contend with back orders tho as some seeds do not arrive at the vendor until March.

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carrielamont Milton, MA(Zone 6a) Feb 25, 2011

Order now! Keep them in the fridge if you can once they get here. NOW!

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Doug9345 Durhamville, NY(Zone 5b) Feb 25, 2011

Pick a company you want to order from. Go to The Garden Watch Dog here on Dave's Garden ( http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/ ) and read the feed back. You should get a feel for how apt a company is to have slow delivery. If they tend to have problems then pick the net company on your list and repeat. I'm just ordering my seed but It's just to fill in some things I don't have and Planting season is still a ways away. I'll start peppers soon a Few tomatoes in 3 weeks and more in a month. My peas won't go in for a month and a half or more.

Since you are in Texas and I assume you need your seed asap toss the Names up here and maybe someone will comment. I ordered some pepper seed from Tradewinds Fruit last Sunday Noon. They had them packed Sunday Night and I got them from the Post Office Yesterday only because I hadn't had a chance to get there sooner. I also ordered seed from Heirloom Acres and I expect it to take 3 weeks. Those are kind of the extremes.

I'd order over the internet so that I didn't have the outbound mail delay.

Post #8392725
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pennefeather McLean, VA(Zone 6b) Feb 26, 2011

Order now!!!

Your orders should also be based upon your last frost date, and how soon the seeds need to be planted. For example, my last frost date is April 21, and many of the seeds need to be planted 6 -8 weeks in advance (I'm starting them inside); some seeds like geraniums need 10-12 weeks. Since you are in Texas, you're last frost date is probably a lot soonner. Right now I am at 7 weeks to frost date.

Order now!!!

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