I learned something new today

January is officially National Mailorder Gardening Month!

And no, I didn't make that up to nudge everybody to add ratings to the Garden Watchdog (but hey, if it accomplishes that, too - well, that's fine by me!)

Here's the official press release from the National Mailorder Gardening Association: http://www.mailordergardening.com/publicArticles.cfm?id=19

So, keep those catalogs rolling in, and those ratings rolling onto the Watchdog. (A big thanks to Calalily and Crasulady2 for their ratings and comments yesterday. By rating some new companies, they brought up our percentage rated from 10% to 11%. Not bad for a few minutes' work, huh? C'mon, you don't want me to start threads with really awful puns about the poor watchdog being hungry for some ratings, do you?)

I feel compelled to explain why I haven't put comments into the watchdog

I don't buy plants online. With shipping costs being what they are, it's quite a bit cheaper to hop in the car, drive to a greenhouse, and get what I want that way.

-Jennifer

Wish I could help but haven't ordered over here yet!!

Angelsong, there's no need to apologize. I would never want someone to "manufacture" a rating for any company - the only way the Watchdog will be successful is to have real-life experiences driving the comments and ratings in there.

(But keep an open mind - I can tell you it's not ALWAYS cheaper to hop in the car and buy plants, plus you can't get the same variety as you can through the mail. Sounds like we need to expose you to some co-op buying opportunities, girl!)

And Louisa, what's the deal? You've been in this country how long? And you haven't ordered plants or seeds by mail yet? Sheesh!!! What will we do with you???? (hehehehe)

And way to go Dori! I notice she's been busy rating several companies and brought our percentage up to 12% Good job!!!

I'm not apologizing, I just felt like I had to define for myself, and perhaps others, why we're not purchasing items by mail or over the internet. There have been numerous posts begging us to "add our ratings", and I wanted to define why that might be.

-Jennifer

Terry only been here nearly 5 years and moved 4 times...:-)

Jen, I too feel like I need to explain also why I have not added anything. I can't rate any mail order stuff because I don't use mail order either. It is cheaper for me to get my plants here(hubby has wholesale permit to buy plants). Maybe after this growing season I will have something to add, as I will be dealing with wholesale on line companies for my cut flower market, but until then, I have nothing to add. :-)

I think out of over 5000 members, there must surely be enough who order and could give a company an honest rating, that no one should feel it was aimed at them when a post urges people to add to the information. It means for those who have experience with companies to share it with others. There are some forums I never visit, and some posts I never respond to, because it doesn't pertain to me or match my interests, and that's how I took the Watchdog posts. If enough people post positive things, I might decide to try a company that is new to me.

Hey, Terry. I have a good idea. I have only ordered a couple of times (and already logged my report), but would be glad to add more to the Garden Watchdog if someone wants to give me the money to order some things. :)

Seriously, I do plan to order some things as spring gets a little closer (hard to think of planting when my last hosta is just now going dormant). I'll be sure and add my comments when I can.

I think that this time of year, most everything that would be posted IS posted on the G.W. Give it some time and as people start to order more, you'll see it get more activity.

Thanks for all you do, by the way.

Smiln32, no problem! The check is in the mail (grin.)

Honestly, I wasn't trying to put undue pressure on anyone; if it seemed that way, then I am truly sorry and hope ya'll will accept my humble apology.

Whether everyone is "tapped out" on companies they've ordered from; well, the Watchdog started out with around 100 companies and is now up to 1600+. Which means there are a whole lot of companies in there that weren't there before. And...I'll just stop there and leave it at that, because Aimee summed it up nicely - much better than I ever could. (Thanks, Aimee :)

go vols I started to add to the site. I know from dealing with other people that they relate their experiences from time to time. I work with some that have good dealings with TyTy nursery in south Georgia. I started to rate them and then I remembered they went to the nursery and didn't mail order the company. I thought this might make a difference so I didn't post. I really appreciate the great work you have done. I ordered catalogues from some of the companies and just received the first one today.