How to Order From Seed Catalogues

Ordering seed from seed catalogs provides access to a greater variety of plants.

Seed catalogs begin arriving in the mail in early January, just as gardeners begin to dream of lush green gardens filled with fresh vegetables and brightly colored flowers. Browsing the catalog for just the right variety to plant in the summer garden provides hours of enjoyment. But that's not the only advantage of seed catalogs. Most are filled with gardening information and detailed plant descriptions that allow you to order with confidence from the comfort of your home.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Check, money order or credit card

Instructions

1. Read plant descriptions carefully, noting the days to maturity, growing conditions and the plant hardiness zone for the plants you are considering. The plant hardiness zone lets you know if perennials survive winters in your area.

2. Choose seeds to plants that match your growing conditions. Lighting, moisture and the number of frost-free days in your area all affect how well plants perform in your area.

3. Locate the order form in the back of the seed catalog, if you choose to order by mail, or visit the company's Internet site. Most include the URL to their site at the top of the order form or on the front or back cover of the catalog.

4. Fill in all sections of the order form, including your name, email address and physical address.

5. Check the items you wish to order, or enter the product number in the appropriate boxes. The product number for individual plants is located at the beginning of the plant description. Many provide the options to choose whether you are willing to accept a substitution in the event that the product is sold out. Seed companies typically substitute seeds that are similar to the original choice, and are expected to grow in the same conditions.

6. Fill in the quantity of each specific seeds you wish to order. This is typically noted as units and may refer to seed packets or may be outlined in ounces or pounds, depending on the type of seeds. For example, seed potatoes may be sold in pounds, corn or pea seeds may be sold by the ounce and smaller flower seeds maybe sold by packet.

7. Fill in your payment information. If you wish to make your purchase with a credit card, include your credit card number. For mail orders, check your payment option. Typical options include credit card purchases or paying by check or money order.

8. Double check all information and fill in any blank areas.

9. Click "proceed to check out", "order now" or similar phrasing to complete an online order. Follow instructions on the screen to complete the order. Your cost, including tax and shipping and handling, will be calculated for you. Upon your approval, your credit card will be charged for the order. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided.

10. Calculate the cost of the order, if ordering by mail. Add the price of all items, add in any applicable tax and the cost of shipping and handling to find the total cost of the order. Remove the order form from the catalog, fold and place in an envelop (some fold to make their own envelop). Insert your check or money order, attach the appropriate postage and mail to the indicated address.

11. Tuck your catalog away where you can refer to it at planting time, if necessary. Keep customer service and return policy information at hand in case there is a problem with your order.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a copy of the order form for your records.

• Keep in mind that images shown in seed catalogs generally represent the plant grown under optimal conditions, and may not be representative of how well it will perform in your garden.

• Days to maturity are also calculated under ideal weather and growing conditions and should not be considered exact. Use days to maturity as a guide to choose plants that can reasonably be expected to mature in your garden.

• Check online garden forums for discussions of mail-order companies and their products and customer service before you order.

• Dry seeds often ship immediately, while onion sets, garlic bulbs, seed potatoes and asparagus, rhubarb or horseradish roots ship separately, near planting time.

• Check dates, some seed companies have spring and fall shipping cut-off dates for certain items.

References

• Colorado State Unviversity Extension; Ordering From Seed Catalogs; Kimberleigh Anders
• Alabama Cooperative Extension; Ordering from Seed Catalogs; Dr. Dave Williams