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Paul James, master gardener and host of Gardening by the Yard
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Each year gardeners order millions of dollars' worth of items from mail-order sources. But is it a good idea to buy seeds and plants--sight unseen--from a catalog? Well, as with everything, there are advantages and disadvantages to ordering by mail. Let's sort them out:Shopping for Seeds
Most nurseries and garden centers offer only the popular selections of a given seed type, be it flower or vegetable. Take beans as an example. You might find two or three varieties of bush and pole beans, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a good Italian shelling bean or a classic French string bean at your local garden center.
There's nothing wrong with buying and growing popular selections of beans, carrots, petunias or zinnias--in most cases, they're popular because they're easy to grow. But if you're the type of gardener who gets bored with the same old thing year after year and likes to experiment by adding at least one new variety each season, then it's time you turned to catalogs for new and different kinds of seeds (figure A).Shopping for Plants
The great thing about buying live plants from a nursery or garden center is that you can see what you're buying. You can inspect the plants, touch them and look at their root systems. You can't do that when buying from a catalog. But again, if you're in the market for something different or unusual--when you want more choices of grasses, shrubs or perennials, for instance--then turn to catalog companies. Here are some important tips when ordering live plants by mail:
Determine whether the catalog company actually grows its own stock or simply acts as a broker, reselling what someone else has grown. It's best to stick with folks who grow what they sell, so don't be shy about giving the company a call to find out.
Beware of gimmicky plants, ones that claim to repel mosquitoes or deter gophers. Also, watch out for come-ons that sound too good to be true. They usually are.
Make sure that the plant you're ordering is well adapted to your region. Quality catalog companies always note the USDA zones for which a plant is suited. If the catalog you're looking at doesn't provide that detail, don't buy from the company.
Pay careful attention to shipping dates. Many claim they'll ship to you at the appropriate time for planting in your area. Better to stick with companies that let you specify your own shipping date.
Check to see whether the company offers any kind of guarantee for its plants.
Don't panic if the plants you receive look lifeless. Dormant and bare-root plants characteristically look near-dead when they arrive. Once they are planted and given a good soaking, they'll begin to show signs of life.For more on this topic:
Gardening by Mail
