Winter is seed catalog season and it’s so much fun to flip through the pages dreaming of spring and all the wonderful plants I want to grow. However, it’s easy to get carried away and order too many seeds or the wrong types for your region. Don’t make these mistakes when ordering seeds. If you’ve had mixed or disappointing results with the seeds you’ve bought in the past, the advice in this article will help you avoid common seed buying mistakes and choose the best options for your garden.

Where to buy seeds

When it comes to sourcing seeds, you’ve got a few options. Buying seeds from mail order seed catalogs offers a wider selection of types and varieties than you’ll find at your local garden centre. That said, visiting a garden centre is convenient, and you can also grab seed-starting supplies like seed starting mix, cell packs, seeding trays, a heat mat, and a grow light. 

In early spring you’ll also notice seed racks popping up in big box stores like dollar stores, hardware stores, and even your neighborhood grocery store. Read the seed packets to learn more about the company and whether the seeds are suited for your region. Also, keep an eye out for events, like Seedy Saturdays, where the seeds are from local companies and growers. You may also find locally grown seeds at farmers markets and garden centres, as well as online.

Don’t make these mistakes when ordering seeds

Below you’ll discover 4 mistakes gardeners make when buying seeds. I should also mention that to save time and money, it’s important to start with a little planning. Consider how much garden space you have. What do you want to grow? Vegetables? Herbs? Flowers? Do you have the ideal conditions for those plants? Don’t be shy about trying new plants and varieties, but be realistic about the size of your garden and how much time you’ll have to tend the plants.

Seed buying mistake #1: Overbuying

When flipping through seed catalogs and thinking about what you’d like to order, it’s easy to get carried away.  However, it’s best to practice a little restraint and buy what you need. This is where a little planning comes in handy. Start by considering the size of your garden and what you realistically have room to grow. If you only have a small space, you’ll have to limit yourself to just a few packets of seeds. If you’re gardening in a tight spot like a balcony, stick to container-friendly varieties like Celebrity tomato and Spacemaster cucumber.

Before I place any new orders, I also go through my seed boxes to take inventory of what I already have. If you’re not sure your old seed packs are still good, do a quick germination test to check viability. If germination is poor, you’ll want to order fresh packets.

Also think about what you want to grow. The majority of my vegetable, herbs, and annual flower selections are family favorites, but I do leave room to experiment and try some new or new-to-me varieties each season. It’s part of the fun of having a garden and you may even find new varieties to add to your must grow list. 

Seed buying mistake #2: Not buying seeds from reliable companies

When it comes to buying seeds, especially if you’re shopping online, it’s buyer beware. I often see AI generated or photoshopped images advertising seeds on various websites. Bright blue tomatoes or peppermint striped sunflowers don’t exist so if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to trusted seed companies, preferably local ones. Buying seeds from companies located in your region means the varieties they sell are more likely to thrive in your garden.

Seed buying mistake #3: Waiting too long to order

There was a time when I placed all my seed orders in late February. The packets would arrive a week or two later, just in time for me to start sowing seeds like tomatoes and peppers indoors. Those days are long gone and I now order my seeds in December or early January. The main reason for this is that varieties, and especially new varieties, sell out and I want to make sure I order early so I can get the seed selection I want. 

Seed buying mistake #4: Not ordering types and varieties appropriate for your region

The biggest mistake gardeners make when ordering seeds is that they don’t buy those suited for their climate and growing conditions. It’s easy to get tempted by beautiful photos of vegetables or flowers in a seed catalog or online. But, if they need a longer growing season or different type of soil than you can provide, you’ll be disappointed. 

In particular, it’s essential you select seeds with a ‘days to maturity’ that matches your gardening zone. This means they’ll have enough time to germinate, grow, and either flower or fruit during the length of your growing season. If you live in a short season zone, long season crops like winter squash, hot peppers, and parsnips may not have time to mature in your garden. Carefully read the information listed in seed catalogs, or on seed packets, if you’re shopping at a garden centre. As noted above, sourcing seeds from a local seed company ensures the seeds you buy are right for your garden. 

For more advice and information on growing from seeds, be sure to read these articles:

• Garden catalog list for seeds, plants, and more
• A guide to buying and selecting heirloom seeds
• LED Grow lights: The best systems for gardeners