How to Choose Your Garden Seeds in 8 Simple Steps (Must Know)

So You Want to Be a Successful Gardener? Here’s How to Choose Your Seeds Like a Pro.

The summer season in the USA runs from June to August, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, according to Farmer’s Almanac.

Have you planned your garden? So what crops do you want to grow in your garden? Decide how many seeds you need.

When you look at the seed catalog, you will find all the seeds you want, as you go from one page to another, all the seeds will be there.

So you must select what you want to do this year, but how?

I spent too much on seeds the previous year and bought more than I could plant.

So I’ve brought you some basic guidelines that I use for my garden every year and encourage you to use them as well, to avoid some frustration and focus on choosing the best seeds for your garden.

So follow this post on how to choose your garden seeds for your garden.

Hi everyone! Hasan here, your friendly neighborhood home garden hobbyist. I’ve been growing veggies and flowers for about 7 or 8 years.

In this article, we will talk about How to Choose Your Garden Seeds in 8 Simple Steps.

• Click for Best Price: The Whole Seed Catalog 2024.
• Free Resources: Free Garden Seed Catalogs and Plant Catalogs

Let’s begin…

Step 1: Decide what you want to grow

First, you need to decide what crops you want to grow in your new garden. I know it sounds relatively easy to you, but many gardeners grow the same crop year after year so picking seeds is very easy.

But when you want to expand your garden a little you need to make a list of what the new garden will look like this year. 

How do you want to determine this year’s garden from last year’s? At this point, the list doesn’t need to be specific, as far as which varieties you are going to grow.

If you only want to grow tomatoes this year, write it down. There is no need to specify exactly which varieties you want to grow.

This will come later as you start to look at the sources of where the seeds will come from.

Just enter “carrot” “tomato” “pepper” or “squash“. You can be normal at this stage. 

I usually list with a pad of paper, you can list in any way that is convenient for you, such as a computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc. You make notes as you see fit. 

But I pick crops that did very well last year, and then I’m undecided if I want to grow those crops this year.

I remember last year my garden was very productive with spaghetti squash and butternut squash.

So I’m also planning to plant spaghetti squash and butternut squash this year.

This time I think I’ll start growing squash which I’ve never grown before since I figured out how to make butternut and spaghetti squash.

I grow tomatoes, potatoes, peas, broccoli, and cucumbers every year in my garden, but in recent years I have grown carrots the most.

So this year also along with these crops I will cultivate some other crops.

Now if you have started gardening for the first time, then you will select seeds depending on the location of your garden, soil, sunlight, etc.

Step 2: Make a garden plan

Planning your garden is the next step.

Usually, you have seen many gardening books and many videos where they suggest that the first step to start a new garden is to make a garden plan, but I think you need to have an idea of ​​what you want to do in your garden.

Before you start planning your garden and once you have a long list, now you can look at your garden space.

How many raised garden beds are there in your garden and how many pots are there in your garden?

And now you can think about making your garden bigger than it was last year, and now you have some ideas about what plants to plant in those gardening beds and pots.

So now you draw the layout of the garden as you like.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, just for general ideas.

I have 4-foot by 8-foot raised garden beds in my garden, in which I can plant about 22 to 24 seedlings.

Now you will select 20 plants in your garden bed.

Now you have a list of some plants.

So now I think I want to plant some tomatoes and peas in my raised garden bed, this is my idea.

Just start developing an idea, a common garden where you plant some seedlings, and what you’re going to find is probably a lot of them aren’t going to fit.

But it’s never a problem if your plants don’t fit in the bed. It allows you to prioritize.

Instead of 16 tomato plants, it seems you can only grow 13 tomato plants because you want to fit in a couple of tomatoes that you want to grow this year.

So that’s where the garden plan comes in and that’s how you fit what you want to grow into your garden plan, if you add and subtract eventually, you try to make things fit the best way you can.

Step 3: Decide how many seeds you need

When your garden plan is complete and you have selected what crops you want to grow in your new garden, the next step is how many seeds are needed.

It’s simple, If you want to grow a handful of cucumbers, you need a handful of cucumber seeds.

If you want to grow 25 cucumber plants, you have to stop for a second and think, how many of them are coming from seeds?

How many cucumber plants are you going to start from seed?

If you’re planning to buy mostly cucumbers to plant in your garden, maybe you only need a few cucumber seeds if you want to start from within, or maybe no cucumber seeds at all.

So look at the list, look at your garden plan, and start determining the precise amount of seeds you need for each of the things you plan to grow.

The long list of crops you want to grow in your garden may not be as many seeds as you think.

Step 4: Look through the seeds you have

Before diving into seed catalogs, take a moment to raid your seed stash!

Here’s how to avoid impulse seed purchases:

Gather Your Seeds: Collect all your leftover seed packets from last season.

Check Viability: Onion seeds have a short shelf life, so plan to buy new ones if yours are older than a year. Most other vegetable seeds last several years.

Review Your List: Compare your seed inventory to your garden plan. Can you check any seeds off your list?

Seed Treasures: Did you save seeds from your plants last year? Consider these a free bonus for your garden!

By taking stock of your existing seeds, you’ll save money and avoid buying duplicates. This frees you up to explore exciting new varieties in the catalogs.

Step 5: Look through seed catalogs

Before diving into seed catalogs, take a moment to raid your stash! Here’s why:

Avoid extras: Look through leftover seeds from last year. You might already have Swiss chard, squash, or herbs you forgot about. This saves you money by not buying extras.

Free seeds are awesome… Did you collect seeds from your garden? The tomato, carrot, or bean seeds you saved can be used this year, reducing what you need to buy.

Catalog Time

Seed catalogs are like comic books for gardeners. They’re exciting but can lead to impulse buys. Here’s how to navigate them smartly:

Identify what you need: Use your garden plan to find specific varieties in the catalogs. For example, if your plan calls for onions, look for onion varieties in the catalogs.

Compare before you buy: Don’t be tempted by the first pretty picture! Look at different catalogs to compare prices and seed quantities.

For example, Company A might sell 25 cucumber seeds for $3, while Company B sells 50 seeds for $4.

It’s okay to change your mind: Catalogs might introduce you to new, interesting plants. Leave wiggle room in your plan for a fun surprise. 

Catalogs or No Catalogs?

Seed catalogs are fun, but not the only option.

Local options: If you have a small garden or already have many seeds, visit your local garden center or nursery. Browse their seed selection to find what fits your plan.

Step 6: Compare prices

After enjoying your seed catalogs, it’s time to compare prices for your chosen vegetables. Here’s how to be a price-savvy seed shopper:

Price per Seed

Don’t just compare total packet prices. Catalogs offer different seed quantities.

Divide the total price by the number of seeds to find the price per seed.

This is the true cost comparison, especially for vegetables like cucumbers where you might only need a few plants.

Shipping Costs

Factor in shipping! Even cheaper seeds can be offset by high shipping fees. Free shipping can make a slightly pricier seed source the better deal.

Seed Leftovers

Double-check your existing seeds! You might already have leftover cucumber seeds from last season.

Don’t forget this step before hitting “buy” – it can save you money.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to check online retailers after comparing catalogs. You might find even better deals or discover unexpected options.

Step 7: Support the seed source that matches your philosophy

After comparing prices and seed quantities, consider the seed source’s philosophy before making your final decision. Here are some factors to weigh:

Seed Type

Do you prioritize organic, heirloom, or hybrid seeds? Seed Savers Exchange focuses on preserving heirloom varieties, while Territorial Seed offers unique hybrids you won’t find elsewhere.

Company Mission

Does a company’s mission resonate with you? Seed Savers Exchange and Baker Creek both work to preserve seed diversity, a cause some gardeners find important.

Remember, the cheapest seed source might not be the best choice if it doesn’t align with your values. By supporting companies you believe in, you contribute to a healthy gardening community and the future of seed preservation.

Step 8: Order the seeds you choose

With your seed list finalized, it’s time to place your orders. Here are some tips for a smooth online seed shopping experience:

• Amazon: While seed catalogs are fun, consider online retailers like Amazon for easy ordering and potentially better prices.
  
• Compare Prices: Even online, compare prices between different sellers. Factor in shipping costs to get the true total price.
  
• Seed Viability: Pay attention to seed viability, especially for onions. Older onion seeds might not germinate well.

Bonus Tip: Look for free shipping offers! They can significantly reduce your overall seed purchase cost.

Easy Plants To Start From Seed

Veggies

• Beans: Kidney beans, green beans, lima beans
• Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes
• Peppers: Bell peppers, jalapenos, hot peppers
• Spinach: Baby spinach, leaf spinach
• Cucumber: English cucumbers, pickling cucumbers
• Lettuce: Romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, leaf lettuce
• Broccoli: Florets, crowns
• Squash: Zucchini, yellow squash, butternut squash

Flowers and Foliage

• Zinnias: Various colors and varieties
• Cosmos: Tall and dwarf varieties
• Celosia: Plumes, cockscombs
• Marigold: French marigolds, African marigolds
• Calendula: Pot marigolds
• Nasturtium: Climbing and trailing varieties
• Sunflowers: Giant sunflowers, dwarf sunflowers
• Coleus: Colorful foliage
• Morning Glories: Climbing vines with vibrant flowers
• Strawflower: Dried flowers for arrangements

Herbs

• Basil: Italian basil, Thai basil
• Cilantro: Fresh leaves and seeds
• Chamomile: German chamomile, Roman chamomile
• Dill: Seeds and leaves
• Lemon balm: Aromatic leaves
• Sage: Common sage, Greek sage

Remember to choose seeds that are suitable for your climate and growing conditions.

What is the Fastest Growing Seed to Plant?

Quick Answer: Radishes are often considered the fastest-growing vegetable, maturing in as little as 30 days. However, other fast-growing options include pak choi, beets, and arugula.

Remember to check your local frost date to ensure you plant these seeds at the optimal time for your region.

Personal Tip: I’ve always had great success with radishes in my California garden. They’re a reliable and quick crop to enjoy.

Conclusion: How to Choose Your Garden Seeds

This article outlined the eight steps to choose the perfect seeds for your garden.

By following these How to Choose Your Garden Seeds in 8 steps, you’ll avoid motivation buys, save money, and end up with exactly what you need to grow a thriving garden.

Our Top Picks and Research

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Through extensive analysis of over 1,000 products and 832 customer reviews, I’ve curated a list of top-quality choices that cater to different needs and budgets.

Most customers gravitate towards tree plants and seeds priced around $17.59, indicating a balance between quality and affordability.

The top-rated product has garnered rave reviews from 20 satisfied customers, averaging a perfect 5-star rating.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting these carefully selected tree plants and seeds will help you cultivate a thriving garden.

Here’s a quick recap of what you learned:

Plan Your Crops: Before you buy seeds, decide what you want to grow. Make a list to get you started.

Design Your Garden: Once you know what you want to plant, sketch out a garden plan to determine how much space you have.

Seed Math: Figure out how many seeds you need, using your garden plan.

Raid Your Stash: Before you hit the catalogs, check leftover seeds from last season. You might be surprised at what you already have.

Seed Catalog Fun & Seed Sense: Seed catalogs are beautiful, but can be tempting. Use them to find specific varieties you need, compare prices, and discover new options, but be mindful of not overspending.

Compare Prices: Don’t just go with the first pretty picture. Look around for the best deal on the seeds you need, considering seed quantity and shipping costs.

Choose a Seed Source that Matches Your Values: Do you care about organic seeds, heirlooms, or seed diversity? Support companies that align with your gardening philosophy.

Order Your Seeds: With your seed list finalized, place your order online or visit your local garden center.

FAQs: How to Choose Your Garden Seeds

Thanks for reading… Happy Planting… Hasan, Your Friendly Neighborhood Home Garden Hobbyist.