Hmm, I usually have just checked the seeds that I ordered actually have packets, but not the contents.

It looks like (forecast) a cold February (which might be good for things to stay dormant).

Thanks for the reminder to check! I usually check the packets, but not the contents too.

I only check the important ones.....veggies that need to start on time in order to beat the heat and produce well. I cannot remember what empty seed packet I got long ago, but I remember being really aggravated when I opened it to check it and nothing was there. I don't bother checking flower or herb seed packets---I just squeeze them to make sure something is inside them. After all, who's going to pour out the poppy seeds or chamomile seeds from a packet and count all those tiny seeds? Not I.

I usually just lightly squeeze the packages, but I’ve never been shorted. Generally it’s just the opposite. Like 50 seeds in a 30 seed packet. After reading this, I’ll be paying more attention!

The last seed order I received was from Seeds for Thee. They don‘t have a huge selection, but they are cheap and are very generous with bonus seeds. I ordered 14 and received 11 free packets. Obviously some are varieties I have zero interest in, but still.

A large percentage of what I ordered came in plastic vials making it very easy to inspect and may come in handy when it comes time to plant.

Seeds for ththee is my favorite.

Kim, I agree with you. I can overlook at one-time mistake, especially if the company responds promptly, but if a seed company is only all about selling you the seeds and not about fixing their mistakes, I don't buy from them again. I've weeded tons of seed companies off my list over the years. Once they've lost me as a customer, they've lost me forever.

Bruce, Some companies stick to firm seed counts---usually that's the huge companies like Burpee, Park, Harris, etc. A lot of the smaller ones---Victory Seeds is just one example---will almost always overpack the seed packets, sometimes by a large amount. Willhite Seed overpacks O-P stuff routinely, but not hybrids (which I understand, as hybrids are much more expensive).

Almost always, when I get free seeds, they are nothing at all that I am interested in growing or they are varieties I already have, so free seeds don't influence me much either way.

Our Mesonet station was showing 21 degrees this morning when I woke up and checked the weather, so seed-starting time still seems a long way off if the weather stays like this.

Dawn

I buy most of my supplies at a Farmers Co-op. They do not have the selection that the seed companies have, but I get a good count and price. They often have damaged bags of potting soil or seeds that you can buy at about half price. My last trip I got a bag of Black Gold potting soil ( which I have tried ) and a 50# bag of soy bean seed for a very good price. I was also given a price on two different millet seeds that was about 35% and 70% of what I have paid in the past, but they will have to be ordered and come in on one of their trucks, which most often run one or two times a week.

I always check my seed when I order or buy in the store because I have been shorted in the past.