Released: February 27, 2004

Gardeners: Shop Around, But Check Close to Home

TOPEKA, Kan. – Any seed or nursery catalog worth its salt is arrive-by-mail temptation.

“They’re full of colorful pictures of beautiful flowers and unblemished fruits and vegetables. Looking them over and learning about varieties is a nice way to spend time in late winter,” said Phil Sell, Kansas State University Research and Extension horticulturist.

Although he’s a fan of such catalogues, Sell urges gardeners to comparison shop locally before buying. “The practical considerations of cool shipping limit the plant sizes that mail-order companies can offer. You need to try to determine how big the plants being offered will really be. Then compare that with the sizes available nearby,” Sell said.

Mail-order catalogs serve large geographical areas, too. So, some of their plants may not be suitable or adapted for harsh High Plains growing conditions.

“That’s another important reason to check local sources first,” Sell said.

Depending on gardener location, some catalogs may be more comprehensive than local retailers, offering everything from adapted tools to food-processing gear – in addition to plants or seeds. Some can be a good source for such specialty products as heirloom varieties or wildflowers. Some provide an unusually wide range alternatives for a single product, such as bulbs, roses or daylilies.

“Good catalogs also can be an information source, particularly about new varieties. They provide cultural tips – soil preference, shade tolerance, moisture needs and hardiness. For fruits and vegetables, they outline the varieties’ diseases resistance and days to maturity,” he said.

Even so, shopping at local nurseries allows gardeners to see plants up close before buying and to inspect them for injury, pest problems and the like. Plus, local retailers have people on hand to talk about potential selections and to answer calls in the future about any problems that may emerge.

“Besides, you’ll be supporting the local economy,” Sell said.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Kathleen Ward
kward@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News