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The process of looking through seed catalogs and trying to figure out what plants and varieties to buy can be overwhelming. (Especially because there is not “one right way” when it comes to picking out seeds. ) Hopefully, this blog full of tips and advice for this process can help! Let’s get started…

I try to look for organic seeds whenever possible.  There are three main reasons to choose organic seeds when starting a garden. According to this article, there is the National Organic Program (NOP) Standards for the use of certified organically grown seed as established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Second, there is the issue of minimizing the amount of “upstream pollution” that is created by seed production by supporting other organic growers that produce the seed we use. Lastly, there is the important goal of developing crop varieties through plant breeding that are adapted to the organic production systems in which they’ll be grown. I also recommend looking for heirloom, open pollinator (op) seeds instead of hybrid seeds (F1), as they will allow you to save your seeds for another growing season or even as a gift for a friend’s garden.

It is also important to know when you can grow each crop.  Most vegetable seeds are grown as annuals, with the exception of a few perennial herbs and vegetables, so I like to consider the Arc of the Seasons rather than growing zones when determining what I will grow that year. Here in zone 6a, we don’t really get a hot season. Our seasons are more cool, warm, cool. I avoid seeds that need very hot climates and focus on shorter day varieties or cool vegetable seeds. Without a super hot season, I will only plant certain crops by using alternative methods, like season extenders, choosing seeds with a shorter growing length, and buying varieties of seeds that are more resistant to the cold. In warmer climates, you can use methods like shade cloth, choosing longer day varieties, or vegetables that love the heat!

Another consideration when choosing your garden seeds, is how much sunlight your plants will be getting based on where they are located.  Do your plants need a lot of light or do they prefer a shadier home?  What direction is your garden facing? My garden sits on the west side of my house and gets plenty of sunlight from the south, which is ideal here north of the equator. Getting the right amount of light is helpful for your plants as they grow.  When planning out your seeds, make sure to think of which kinds of plants will work best, depending on the direction of your personal garden. There are tricks I like to use to grow even more in a tight space. I plan my tall crops to block sun for things that like a little more shade. You can see my pole beans in this picture above, shading little lettuces from the south facing sun.  This step will increase your gardening success and allow you to plant as much as possible without worry.

Seed packets normally say how many days it will take until you are able to harvest from the plant the seeds will become.  This is helpful information that will assist you in your seed ordering.  First, consider your frost dates. Because different plants have different needs in terms of days until harvest, make sure to pick seeds that work with your personal growing arc.  The fewer days needed until harvest time, the better here in Michigan.  If the plant will fruit like peppers, tomatoes, and melons, you have to add growing days. I start my tomatoes in March and put them in the garden in April. If we look at my favorite tomato, Black Sea Man, it will take 75 days from transplant to harvest fruit. They need an additional 6 weeks indoors under a growing light, to be ready to plant outdoors as a transplant in April. You can see my seed starting setup in the photo above. We would be in trouble if we used only 75 days to grow tomatoes from seed.

The amount of space you have is another important thing to consider.  Although smaller spaces may feel restrictive, there are lots of options for such types of gardens!  Many crops offer varieties specific for pots and small spaces that work really well in situations where you don’t have tons of room. Additionally, some plants are “cut and come again” plants, which means you can harvest all season long as the plant keeps regrowing from where you cut it off. (Lettuce is a great example of a common “cut and come again” plant that works well for small spaces!)  Buying high-yielding crops will also help make sure that you are using the space you have to its full potential.

Gardening is full of learning experiences. Sometimes those experiences look like plants attacked by powdery mildew or eaten by insects. (Not the most fun, but they help us with what to do the next time.) If you have had past issues with pests, diseases, or bolting, make sure to find varieties that have a higher tolerance to such things. This step will help you save time and energy (and sanity) throughout your growing!

Don’t forget to order seeds for flowers and not just the favorite vegetables. I sure am! Flowers and herbs make a wonderful addition to every garden with their ability to attract beneficial insects and pollinators and provide habitat as well. Plus, they are great for companion planting and elevate the look of your garden too. My favorite flowers to plant in or near the vegetable garden include, nasturtiums, borage, alyssum, and sunflowers.

Have fun with your seed plan! Gardening can feel stressful at times, but it is so worth it! Don’t be afraid to be adventurous with your garden plan this year and try something new. Have you been eyeing a crazy vegetable variety that would be really fun to try? Get it! After all, who knows? Maybe that vegetable could be just what your garden needed!

Keep an eye out for future newsletters and blogs, especially as we near our March 10th seed-starting workshop (at 6 pm EST), where we will cover planting seeds, what to do after, along with more overall information to help you out along the way!

Let’s Get Growing,

Shannon