Looking toward spring

Ordering seeds

It’s white out there in the yard although not terribly cold. But I have a feeling the worst is yet to come. There’s no better way to cope with the winter blahs than by thinking about planting next year’s vegetables, herbs and flowers. So I made a list (my favorite activity) of a few of my favorite seed catalogs. They’re free for the asking, so enjoy.

• Thompson & Morgan, the granddaddy (mommy) of all seed catalogs. They have rare and unusual seeds imported from England and France. They’re pricey but offer free seed bargains and other incentives.

P.O. Box 1308

Jackson, NJ 08527-0308

Phone: 800/274-7333

Fax: 888/466-4769

Website: thompson-morgan.com

• Seymour Selected Seeds, R.H. Shumway, Vermont Bean, and HPS are all the same company. If you contact them, you can get all the catalogs at one time.

Seymour’s are English flower seeds that have less seeds per packet, are cheaper in price than T&M but are as good in quality. They do have less of a selection.

R.H. Shumway is a fun catalog to look through as it has an old-fashioned look. There are lots of bargains. Order early because they run out.

Vermont Bean is as its title indicates—mostly beans, and all kinds. Why Vermont? I can’t say. HPS is their wholesale catalog with larger amounts at larger prices.

Catalog Fulfillment Center

334 West Stroud Street

Randolph, WI 53956

Phone: 800/322-7288

Fax: 888/HPS-SEED

Website: hpsseed.com

• Pinetree Garden Seeds is a great company. The seeds are few to a packet (who needs more than 50 of any variety?) but the prices are great and there is a wide range of varieties. They also offer fabulous gardening books at bargain basement prices in the “sale” section.

P.O. Box 300

New Gloucester, ME 04260

Phone: 207/926-3400

Fax: 888/52-SEEDS

Website: superseeds.com

• Underwood Gardens, Ltd. has a catalog that’s a compendium of hard-to-find, open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. The seeds are abundant and pricey but there are some bargains.

1414 Zimmerman Road

Woodstock IL 60098

Phone: 815/338-6279

Fax: 888/382-7041

Website: grandmasgarden.com

• The owner of Johnny’s Seeds is Robert L. Johnston, Jr. The focus of the company is on service. They offer a quality product at a fair price and also will give you an email monthly gardening newsletter if you purchase seeds. Johnny’s Seeds is a member of the Food Project, which teaches students how to grow food to feed the hungry.

955 Benton Avenue

Winslow, ME 04901-2601

Phone: 207/861-3901

Fax: 800/437-4290

Website: Johnnyseeds.com

There are many other companies. If you would like their names, please email asknanny@riverreporter.com.