The Best of the Catalogs

The winter and new year are well under way and the mail-order catalogs have been filling my home for weeks.  All those wonderful photos of clothing, toys, computers and gift items.  Anything imaginable can be ordered by mail today.  This isn't a new phenomenon.  There was a time when the Sears Roebuck Catalog was the only link people in rural areas across America had to the new products being sold in the "big city".  For the past 35 years we have seen "mall shopping" blossom and evolve across the country.  In 2002 we can see a growing trend back to the simpler times without the mall crowds and traffic.  There is something to be said for shopping in the comfort of your own home.  Will catalogs supplant the shopping mall?  My guess is that a blend of the two will be with us for the future.

A blend is exactly the relationship I have with gardening catalogs.  The bulk of my garden purchases are through my local garden center.  There is no better way for me to see exactly what the plants, tools and supplies I am buying look and feel like.  That said, there are products and ideas that take years to reach my local garden center.  That is what the garden catalogs offer me.  Exotic seeds and plants, the latest hybrids, one of a kind and handcrafted products, products from small companies without national distribution and even scientific breakthroughs straight from the source.  Here's a few of the gardening catalogs that have made my short list over the years.  These merchants have all given me great service, response, shipping, value and products with every order I've placed!

First there's Pinetree Garden Seeds.  They are the seed catalog that I have included in "Our Favorite Links".  This company is located in Maine and there products and catalog give you the feeling of being in New England.  They offer a solid selection of seeds for both flowers and vegetables.  Only proven garden performers make it into this catalog.  Another plus here is reasonable pricing and seed packet sizing that fits the home garden.  They also offer some plants, bulbs, supplies, tools and always some nifty gift items.  They have the best selection of books on gardening, preserving, cooking and outdoor living I have found.  Order your copy of their catalog, it's free!

How about some fruit?  Apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and more!  Add to that shade trees, hedging plants, ornamental shrubs, groundcovers, tools and specialized fertilizers.  Now, you add the benefit that the plant varieties offered have been tested hardy on a hillside overlooking Lake Canandaigua in New York's Finger Lakes.  Put them all together and you get Miller Nurseries.  Order your copy of their free catalog online.  When you see the photos in this catalog you will have trouble stopping short of planting a full scale orchard!  The Finger Lakes region is a terrific spot for a weekend outing.  Very scenic, great history and you can visit the Miller Nursery.  Oh, I almost forgot, wineries!  Visit the wineries!  Tour the vineyards.  With a designated driver of course!

Now, what about perennials?  Any good catalogs for fine garden plants?  Yes, two big time catalogs.  The first is from "Our Favorite Links" page.  The White Flower Farm is world renowned and probably the finest nursery in the northeastern United States.  A fantastic, free catalog with wonderful descriptions and full color photos.  Also a great day trip during the gardening season to see this nursery located in Litchfield, Connecticut.  The second catalog is from a southern nursery.  Another world renowned nursery, this one from Hodges, South Carolina.  Wayside Gardens is one of the few nurseries and catalogs in the world the equal of White Flower Farm.  Both of these companies offer a wide selection of trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, roses and more.  Only the best of the best in both of these catalogs.  Both are perhaps more expensive than your local garden center, but some of the offerings may not be available near you.  Be a smart shopper but order these free catalogs!

More seeds you say?  How about select, gourmet and European varieties?  Herb seeds and plants?  Fragrant and cottage garden flower seeds?  Unique tomato and pepper plants delivered at planting time?  State of the art seed starting supplies?  How about a portable greenhouse or cold frame?  Tools, supplies, fertilizers and gifts?  Could I possibly list all of the items this company offers in this brief review?  No!  Order your free  from Shepherd's Garden Seeds catalog along with your White Flower Farm catalog.  Yes, the two companies are somehow related.  I don't know how or why but both offer great products.

This wouldn't be a New Jersey site without mentioning tomatoes.  The most complete offering of tomato and pepper plants and seeds can be found in the Totally Tomatoes catalog.  More tomato varieties than you can shake a stick at.  Big, medium, tiny, cherry, grape, paste, slicing, heirloom, red, yellow, green, striped and disease resistant tomato varieties.  There are so many your head will spin!  Plus peppers, both hot and sweet and a small selection of salad fixings.  This is a fun little catalog.  Try some new tomato varieties this coming season.

Daylilies are the most popular garden perennial today.  Their popularity is growing and if you want to see what all the excitement is about, check out Oakes Daylilies.  Located in Corryton, Tennessee, Oakes offers every type of daylily imaginable.  Good prices that are even better when you buy in multiples.  Money saving collections are offered.  These people give you the most plant for the dollar!  The daylily divisions I have received from Oakes are larger than potted plants at many garden centers.  Great variety, complete descriptions, good value and nice people make your catalog or online order a pleasant experience.  The photos in the print catalog are addicting to look at.  You will revisit this catalog throughout the gardening season!

For innovative, environmentally friendly garden tools and supplies you can't beat the catalog from Gardener's Supply Company.  One of "Our Favorite Links", this is the one gardening catalog you can't do without.  The cover of the Spring 2002 catalog says: "Easy, foolproof gardening from seeds to harvest", that is the best description of this hard to describe catalog.  We have visited the Gardener's store in Burlington, Vermont.  It is well worth  your trouble if you're in Vermont to visit.  When you're there you can see their latest products along with many of these garden products in use in their huge test garden.  If you can't go, at least order their latest catalog!  Notice that we have many links for Gardener's throughout our site.  If you shop online or from the catalog I recommend them with no reservations!

Where do I go for "Environmentally Responsible Products" for my garden, lawn and home?  That would be Gardens Alive!  I'm always looking for organic choices in fertilizers, insecticides, disease controls and my garden techniques in general.  I have children, pets and well water to consider when I apply chemicals to my garden and lawn.  This catalog contains clear descriptions and provides organic based solutions to many garden problems.  Get this free catalog and learn a lot.  Seed starting helpers, garden safety products, fertilizer/pesticide applicators, cover crops and much more.  

Use your head when ordering from gardening catalogs.  Remember the old adage that if something looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  "Buyer beware!"  Keep your initial order small and see how the company responds when you aren't spending lots of dough.  The best companies will give a small order the same care as a large one.  Never send cash through the mail.  I order from catalogs in two ways.  By mail I use a personal check but if I need the items as soon as possible, I phone in the order and pay by credit card.  

Don't feel obligated to place an order just because you've received a free catalog.  These companies make money because they send out huge numbers of catalogs.  All of the reviewed companies sell their products online as well as through the catalog.  I like to have the catalogs available for easy reference when I am in the garden or just away from my computer.  Enjoy the winter and enjoy this year's gardening catalogs!

Tom the "Webmaster Gardener"

P.S.  A few bonus catalogs that I think you might like!

Territorial Seeds      Free catalog all the way from Oregon! (Great website too!)

Raintree Nursery      Unique fruiting plants from around the world.  Free catalog!

   Seeds of Change    "100% Certified Organic Seeds"  Very informative, free catalog!