As long as you can obtain the varieties you want, then no advantage is gained. But those who prefer to grow other than the common varieties or want a much wider variety selection can gain real benefits from using online seed sources.

Dave

Sounds like your not only Handsome your lucky. The plant stock where I live arrives 4-6 weeks after I've already set out transplants. Not to mention all the local retailers combined sell about one quarter of the varieties I plant.

Just my luck I guess; I'm neither lucky nor handsome. But I do grow what I want when I want. Even so, I still wish I was Handsome and Lucky.

I hear ya thisisme! I just wish I'd been born rich instead of so darn good lookin'! LOL I'm with Dave on the variety thing. I couldn't come up with a valid reason to order online other than selection. The one thing that does give me cause for concern when buying locally is getting fresh seed. The owner of one of our local greenhouses once told me that they preserve their seeds by bagging & refrigerating them until the next season. Are these seeds going to be as viable as fresh seed?

My seeds are sealed in ziploc bags in a refrigerator. Its the best method of storage. Seeds stored this way should remain viable for years. Of course germination percentages will decrease as time goes by. Many of the big online retailers sell only seeds grown for the current year. I prefer to buy from them because I know the seeds will remain viable for at least 4-5 years. There are some root crop seeds though that lose viability in only 1-2 years.

If your local retailer that bags and stores seeds does yearly germination tests. You are good to go if you plan on using all the seeds the year you buy them. Perhaps longer but germination percentages may vary widely. Some seeds may be many years old.

The owner of one of our local greenhouses once told me that they preserve their seeds by bagging & refrigerating them until the next season. Are these seeds going to be as viable as fresh seed?

Yep. Good storage - as opposed to what some of the big box stores do with theirs. But even many of the marked down/sale/box store seed still has a very high germination rate for most things.

Tomato seeds is the one thing I am never content with just local selections.

Dave, who isn't handsome, lucky OR rich. :)

Thanks folks!Good info here on seed storage! I now feel better about purchasing seed locally that I know has been stored properly.

I get good results in storing my seeds at about 70 degrees. One important thing to do is to seal the packets tight with masking tape after planting.

I do have some melon seeds somewhere in a freezer,lol

I'm going to take a different position and state that it's worth researching specialty seeds that are typically only available from online sources. For example ...

'Legend' new tomato variety that is supposedly resistant to the 'blight' that has devastated the last two seasons in the Northeast

'Moonlight' bean variety that supposedly combines the taste and texture of a french bush bean with the productivity of a runner

you get the idea ...

If you're happy with what you get as transplants, it's sort of a not-broken-don't-fix-it. I definitely want things I can't get locally (bok choy? What's that?) My method of dealing with the shipping is to check a seedhouse's shipping charges, and working out who gives me the best bang for the buck along with the greatest number of seeds I want for the price (including the shipping). Then I try to order mostly from one place. I do get a lot more potential plants (seeds) for my money than if I buy plants locally as long as I don't rack up too many shipping charges. So, if you ever become discontent with the local fare...

Cheers!

I always buy seedlings for tomatoes and broccoli and the things that take a long time under lights to get to planting size... but for things that *can* or should be direct seeded like beans and melons and squash and lettuce and carrots... I always buy seeds, and I just love the variety of heirloom and OP seeds available.

I just received my orders from Baker Creek, Renee's Garden, Seeds of Italy, and Botanical Interests, and I'm giddy with excitement about this summer's garden.

I could have tracked each of these varieties down locally and driven to 3 or 4 different nurseries, but I just decided it was worth a few bucks in shipping for the convenience factor.

I have very specific requests each year for tomato varieties and luckily here in the bay area I don't have any trouble finding them. But if I couldn't get a variety my family has grown to love (that thrives in my garden) I bet I'd learn how to start tomato seedlings. LOL

Happy gardening,
-k

If economics are a factor then buying local bulk seed is a no-brainer for people with large gardens. Most retailers have access to many of the preferred varieties, and will be attuned to the types that do best in a particular region. Bulk seed may have germination issues, especially if it is stored for any length of time, but a reputable retailer should acknowledge that and offer an appropriate discount - where do you think those ten-cent packets at the Dollar Store come from?

Thanks all for your insight! Nice to have so many different takes on locating seed! After last season's blight issues,tomato seed seems to be one of my issues. I've always planted the same two strains (Jet Star & Celebs)because of their reliability, but given my results last year, I'm thinking I should explore other avenues.....

I should consider seed ordering a recreational activity cuz it sure gives me pleasure. I usually start out with something specific in mind--this year blue podded snap peas I had to have. No way would I find them locally. For those who like "different" things or prefer a large selection, ordering is the way to go.

I like the wider selection available through catalogs, as well. It's not just to have something "different" but I found the perfect winter squash for us - we love the taste and it's an excellent keeper. Only one catalog carries it. I'm very lucky a local gardener grows extra peppers and tomato plants to sell because I can buy one each if I want and I love having different varieties. Which led me to oven drying Amish Paste tomatoes for wonderful winter meals.

I look at it this way, if I gardened like a lot of my neighbors and bought everything at the farm store/local nursery, I wouldn't plant anything until Memorial Day weekend and my garden would be "done" by mid-September.