| Author | Content |
dave
Jacksonville, TX
(Zone 8a)
 January 15, 2008
5:50 AM Post #4404373
| There are a total of 397 votes:
| is a glossy, full color catalog full of ideas and inspiration
(271 votes, 68%) |  |
| has few pictures, but lots of helpful descriptions and growing tips
(25 votes, 6%) | |
| has black-and-white drawings and creative, clever descriptions
(7 votes, 1%) | |
| is a basic seed (or plant) list with just names and brief descriptions
(3 votes, 0%) | |
| I don't have a favorite catalog; I shop online
(44 votes, 11%) | |
| I don't have a favorite catalog; I buy all my plants and seeds locally
(31 votes, 7%) | |
| Other? (Do tell!)
(16 votes, 4%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
Sashagirl
by the Muddy Miss., IA
(Zone 5a)
January 15, 2008
7:13 AM Post #4404418
| Ooo, I'm first!
I chose glossy, full color catalog !
At best, I find too little actual information in the plant catalogs. In the glossy, full color ones I can at least swoon over the pictures.
I do most of my research on-line at a great place-DG!
Sasha |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
January 15, 2008
7:45 AM Post #4404442
| I buy all my seeds online. Better pictures & descriptions there. Also some companies have larger selection of package sizes.
All my large quantity seeds, I buy from a company in St. Paul, MN. I just give them a call, order over the phone. They are shipped that day.
Bernie |
pirl
Southold, NY
(Zone 7a)
January 15, 2008
8:22 AM Post #4404485
| Dutch Gardens is my favorite and has been for years. Great photos and no color enhancements. |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
January 15, 2008
8:45 AM Post #4404541
| I love glossy, full color catalogues full of ideas and inspiration!
I enjoy pictures with lots of helpful descriptions!
I need creative, clever descriptions...
I have many favorite catalogues.
I buy plants and seeds locally.
I shop online.
How could I not choose OTHER!
Incidently, I find the online catalogues have items that are not in their "glossys" and also will have "sale" items... Shopping season is year around!
Time to go shopping... pod
|
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
9:27 AM Post #4404686
| I shop online, but I like to look at the pics in the catalogs, so I voted for the glossy, full-color. It takes too long to browse online. Catalogs give me ideas, so I even look at the catalogs from the 'loser' companies that I would never order from. Then DH looks at the catalogs and is totally taken in by the pictures, regardless of whether they will grow in our garden. I get them back with circles around the 'pretty' stuff. |
LavinaMae
Grantsboro, NC
(Zone 7a)
January 15, 2008
9:42 AM Post #4404750
| I love the glossy catalogue and lots of pictures of the plants. Plus I can relook over and over. No certain one is my favorite. Also the one from the chef/can't remember the name of it right now, but has a few recipes in it that go along with the herbs on the page is a great one. I have tried a few of the recipes and that helped me to decide to plant basil and chives and try the recipe with fresh instead of dried plants.
Lavina.
|
notmartha
Bay City, MI
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
9:57 AM Post #4404806
| high glossy pics make great projects after im done drooling on them! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Xeramtheum
Summerville, SC
(Zone 8a)
January 15, 2008
9:58 AM Post #4404810
| My favorite catalogue is Dave's Garden. About 90% of my seeds are acquired through trades. I see more variety of plants and seeds here than I have ever seen in any catalogues. The seed and plant forums are incredible sources for plants and seeds you will NEVER see in catalogues.
I like to click on random names then go through their have and want list.
Thanks Dave!
X |
Lily_love
Central, AL
(Zone 7b)
January 15, 2008
10:50 AM Post #4404981
| I chose Others; the glossy colorful one is a good passtime reading materials. Though, with good reputable company, they send out black and white print, very little pictures but has ton of description and helpful hints.
I'd rather buy them from a well known company, online or off line. Cheap catalogs; doesn't matter how attractive the catalogs looks, we wound up with disastisfaction-garanteed!
As far as trading on DG; same, it depends whom you're dealing with. I've met wonderful traders, and some is but a fly by night, who takes advantage of the situation, and never heard anything from them again.
Kim |
Lindawalkabout
Holden, MO
(Zone 5b)
January 15, 2008
12:08 PM Post #4405326
| I'm a drooler too, with icey mornings , I like all the gloss I can get and I'm not talkin lipstick, Seed Catalogs !!!!!! I really like them all, everyone has a bit of information to learn from and gets this cold winter warmed up thinkin about the gardens and what new plants for this season.
Oh new to me after all the years I have garden is "winter sowing" I'm going to give it a try this week, toss those mater seeds right outside : ) , off to find all the milk jugs I can : )
tc
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
cactus_lover
FSD
(Pakistan)
(Zone 10b)
January 15, 2008
12:18 PM Post #4405371
| I want to have some pictured catalog of Cacti & Succulents.
Yasir |
bigcityal
Menasha, WI
(Zone 5a)
January 15, 2008
12:31 PM Post #4405436
| I am going with the glossy pic one,BUT - that does not mean that is the one I order from. |
Katlian
Carson City, NV
(Zone 6b)
January 15, 2008
12:43 PM Post #4405507
| I'm with bigcityal, I love glossy photos but if the company doesn't have a good reputation, I usually don't buy from that catalog. Pretty pictures draw my attention but I need a thorough description before I'll order a plant.
I dislike companies that make up their own names for marketing reasons. It can be really hard to find info if the plant is listed under a name that no one else uses. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
January 15, 2008
12:43 PM Post #4405508
| Looks like I voted with the majority so far ... I love the Glossy catalogs with the big full color photo's! I don't necessarily shop from them but I adore looking at all the wonderful pictures and reading about different plants! |
chickenrancher
Nova, OH
(Zone 5b)
January 15, 2008
12:45 PM Post #4405522
| I buy online and voted as such. However, I like to get the catalogs to peruse and compare learning as much as I can about different varieties. It never hurts to dream big. I would plant a 20 acre garden! Too bad I only own 1.
Megan |
bjf826
Tallahassee, FL
(Zone 8b)
January 15, 2008
1:10 PM Post #4405662
| I enjoy browsing through the big glossy ones but then stick to trading with fellow DGers or buying locally. I garden strictly in containers and focus on C&S and Hoya. If my gardening interests were more varied, I'm sure I would pay more attention to the catalogs.
Barb |
bhaugh
Norfolk, VA
January 15, 2008
1:17 PM Post #4405692
| I voted other since I am pretty new to gardening other than small flower beds, and at this moment I have found DG to be the best catalog there is! All the information you need is just a question away. In how many catalogs can you find a question and get so many diverse answers! |
Garden4ever
Plymouth, WI
(Zone 5a)
January 15, 2008
1:30 PM Post #4405740
| I love looking at the catalogs, but I usually just buy locally. Like to have it in my hands.
|
Jax4ever
Boxford, MA
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
1:50 PM Post #4405801
| The super glossies that I have in my hand on Jan. 2 are a sure post-Holiday-letdown salve!!! I always order some seeds from that ASAP!!! I'll spend the next 6 mo. picking things up on-line, from local vendors and other catalogs... but that first full-color catalog is the greatest!!! It's usually T&M; it was this year. Burpee comes along right behind, but it's prices were outrageous this year, so T&M got my biz!!! ($45!) |
Tir_Na_Nog
January 15, 2008
1:54 PM Post #4405816
| I buy veg seeds from Johnny's Seeds, always been happy with them, for the variety.
Buy plants, flowers and trees locally. I dread getting a sad order or a tree in bad form.
|
Syrumani
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
January 15, 2008
2:48 PM Post #4406040
| Mine is "Other", because I do like to look at the colorful catalogs, but I prefer the type with few pictures but helpful descriptions. I then turn around and get my seeds locally and from the internet. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
4:30 PM Post #4406331
| I like the big (sturdy) glossy catalogs - as magazines! High Country Gardens comes to mind. I usually order online or trade for seeds (or plants), but I love receiving those big, glossy, I-can-have-it-all magazines catalogs. x, Carrie |
roybird
Santa Fe, NM
January 15, 2008
4:30 PM Post #4406332
| When I first started gardening I loved all the glossy catalogs and magazines. They are so interesting and pretty. But I soon found that in my area...high and dry...it was better to buy from local sources. Also great to trade plants and seeds with neighbors. Now, I find myself more interested in "weeds" and wild flowers. |
Nan
SW, WI
(Zone 4b)
January 15, 2008
4:59 PM Post #4406402
| I like one with good descriptions, growing information and helpful tips.
I admit, glossy photos are great, but they don't help much when it comes right down to the nitty gritty information of where and how to grow something! |
plutodrive
Denver, CO
(Zone 5b)
January 15, 2008
7:09 PM Post #4406928
| Same here as roybird and Nan- I want to learn about a particular plant before I by it. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
8:08 PM Post #4407152
| Oh, I didn't say I put any stock in those fancy pictures... I look everything up here to see if I can grow it from seed, if it performs as advertised, and whether it needs special care I'm not willing to provide. But I do enjoy the free entertainment provided by the fancy catalogs.
xx, C |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
9:11 PM Post #4407415
|
I voted 'other' because I love the detailed descriptions, the pretty pics, and loads of different plants/seeds/bulbs and new introductions in various catalogs, but then I go on line to compare prices and do more research and look for sales...I always look at Watchdog and sometimes I search DG for sources.
I like Stokes, Johnny's, Select Seeds, Brent & Becky's, Van Engelen's Bulbs, Seed Saver's Exchange, Dianne's Seeds, Grant Mitsch Daffodils, High Country Gardens, and Chiltern's among others. I don't buy from all of them, but I like the information in their catalogs... there are others I like, too, I just can't think of them.
|
dicentra63
West Valley City, UT
(Zone 6b)
January 15, 2008
9:37 PM Post #4407546
| I like the color catalogs, too, but I am really cheesed when they show "pink" daffodils as bright pink. At best, they're peach-toned...
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
Is that the same pink as this, I ask you?
[HYPERLINK@brecks.com]
I love my Easter Bonnet daffs, but I wouldn't mind the nice bright pink if it were real.
|
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
January 15, 2008
9:55 PM Post #4407637
| Didn't get your links, dicentra. But I think if you blow really hard you can blow a kiss to my step-grand-kids, they're in Utah somewhere, near Lehi? x, C |
kmom246
Silver Springs, NV
(Zone 6b)
January 15, 2008
10:46 PM Post #4407853
| I love 'em all - glossy, plane, big, little, fat, skinny, specialty, all-around - I'm so starved for plant life about this time of year that I'm not picky at all. I have a few favorites that I order from each year, but I love them all. |
tggfisk
Garner, NC
(Zone 7b)
January 16, 2008
1:00 AM Post #4408439
| I take those glossies to bed for evening reading and dreaming! Yep, High Country Gardens, Heronswood, and some others...but gotta have the Plant Delights one! After I read and drool...THEN I go online and tell myself it doesn't matter...it's only money, LOL! |
Katye
Sammamish, WA
(Zone 7b)
January 16, 2008
1:39 AM Post #4408554
| I chose online: I can access more than one at a time for comparison shopping, plus, research new plants from a wider variety of sources.
I prefer any catalog that gives me a photo of the entire plant, not just one of the flower. |
cym
Middlesex, NY
January 16, 2008
4:21 AM Post #4408715
| its winter in New York I "need" my catalogs to get me through till the spring :-) lots of color and descriptions for me too!! |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
January 16, 2008
8:51 AM Post #4408906
| "Other" for me. I do love to look at the catalogs, but most of what I buy is locally. But I don't buy much now days because of the generosity of other DGers that swap plants and seeds. This past October was the first time I came home with less than I carried! I have filled my yard with native and butterfly friendly plants and made so many friends through the swaps and round ups on Dave's. |
CapeCodGardener
Mid-Cape, MA
(Zone 7a)
January 16, 2008
10:53 AM Post #4409470
| I voted for "glossy and lavishly illustrated." Like kmom246 above, I'm not picky this time of year. Mostly I drool over the flower-porn catalogs, take a deep breath, and then order on-line from them, trying to be sensible and not particularly succeeding !
BUT--on second thought I should have picked "other" because DG Roundups are so great , too! The NE RU and swap last October instantly became another favorite way to get plants and seeds because it was hands-on for the plants AND you could grill people then and there for helpful advice!! And DG-ers are so generous. |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
January 16, 2008
10:58 AM Post #4409499
| You didn't have a catagory for "all of the above" but that is what I would have checked. |
Jax4ever
Boxford, MA
(Zone 6a)
January 16, 2008
12:59 PM Post #4410223
| I just got my 'High Country Gardens' catalog- I guess that's what it was b/c I only got the BACK PAGE- the one w/ my address on it! Who has the rest of my catalog??? (probably the PO sorting machines.) |
FlowrLady
Olive Branch, MS
(Zone 7b)
January 16, 2008
1:02 PM Post #4410237
| I like the catalogs that give a true perspective in their pictures. It's also nice to know which zone something will grow in, and if it needs sun or shade, water or bone-dry, etc. If I find a catalog that is truthful, that one will be my favorite, glossy or not! |
weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
January 16, 2008
4:34 PM Post #4411254
| I haven't had much joy when shopping from catalogues. The plants I want are usually sold out, and the rest don't suit my climate (sub tropical) I have bought plants from the net with some degree of success, (due to postage and transport delays/packaging) but find the nicest plants available come from markets, friends gardens and a collection of local nurseries. At least I have the option of tipping up a pot to check for "J" rooting and can check the plants for general health e.t.c. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
VA_Wild_Rose
Fredericksburg, VA
(Zone 7a)
January 16, 2008
6:54 PM Post #4411955
| I just love getting the big glossy catalogs in the middle of winter and looking (and drooling) over all the photos... gives me ideas and hope for the spring to come! I order from everywhere... sometimes the catalogs, sometimes on-line, sometimes the local nurseries, and sometime even the big boxes like Wal-Mart! It just depends on what I'm looking for! |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
January 16, 2008
8:03 PM Post #4412324
| I think I've saved every glossy catalog that has ever been mailed to me! They occupy a space about 2 ft high running down the length of my 15 ft bedroom wall. I'm not sure why I feel compelled to keep them, but like NotMartha, I have high hopes of garnering subjects for paintings out of them someday or using them for some other creative purpose.
I basically stopped ordering live plants from most catalogs. I was nearly always disappointed when the thin little wisp of a seedling arrived that was supposed to be the start of the massive floral display as shown in the catalog. I do order seeds from Johnny's Seeds and other sources, both from catalogs and on-line. Usually the order comes as a result of the spur of the moment need to get some new plant I've just come across and feel I absolutely must grow! I've actually had good results from most plants I've purchased on eBay. The DG roundups, though, seem to be the best source for lovingly tended plants.
Jeremy |
kmom246
Silver Springs, NV
(Zone 6b)
January 16, 2008
11:09 PM Post #4413207
| Wow, Jeremy, and I thought I was bad because I had nearly all my catalogs back to 2005! |
daylily2006
Golden Valley, AZ
(Zone 8b)
January 16, 2008
11:32 PM Post #4413315
| I voted for the color catalogue...LOVE to look through them...although I don't usually buy from them...I really do buy locally :) |
rednyr
Newberry, SC
(Zone 8a)
January 16, 2008
11:47 PM Post #4413371
| I'm with daylily...I love the inspiration from the glossys but will then seek out locally so I can inspect them properly and be sure they are to my liking before I plunk down my hard earned dollars...of course working at a nursery makes it easier..I just seem to trade my paycheck each week for the must haves for my garden! LOL |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
January 16, 2008
11:50 PM Post #4413381
| I toss the old catalog when the new one arrives. Still the pile is to big.
I try to have all companies on my favorites list, online.
Bernie
|
AYankeeCat
Fairfield County, CT
(Zone 6b)
January 17, 2008
2:02 PM Post #4415490
| I love the White Flower Farm catalog! I don't necessarily buy anything from them but they have the best pictures!!! |
ardesia
Saint Helena Island, SC
January 17, 2008
4:37 PM Post #4416182
| Logee's blows me away. |
happytail
Covington, LA
(Zone 8b)
January 17, 2008
5:44 PM Post #4416545
| I love White's Flower Farm. They always have such great combinations in planters and a good variety of stuff. But, if you like dry humor, you won't beat Plant Delights Nursery. I can spend hours reading what Tony writes. |
bordersandjacks
Seabrook, SC
(Zone 8b)
January 18, 2008
6:48 AM Post #4419281
| My favorite is Plant Delights Nursery. By the end of the season the catalog will look like the old Sears Wishbook where the spine is falling apart and the pages are mangled and an inch thick. The descriptions of the plants are very funny and I read it from cover to cover.
Jenny |
Sofonisba
Putnam County, NY
(Zone 6a)
January 18, 2008
1:59 PM Post #4420831
| I chose glossy pics. I don't necessarily buy from them, but during the cold winter months, I need the pretty pictures.
My favorite catalog is Plant Delights Nursery. I'm with you Jenny! I also read it from cover to cover. It's the best. |
steadycam3
Houston, TX
January 18, 2008
4:23 PM Post #4421483
| Weedwoman from Australia, what is "J" rooting? and how do I check for it? |
notmartha
Bay City, MI
(Zone 6a)
January 18, 2008
7:45 PM Post #4422238
| if anyone is tossing an old hosta magizine-i would pay postage for it! |
billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
January 18, 2008
8:24 PM Post #4422399
| Glossy and full of pictures!!
I've ordered from catalogues just to keep them coming. Some are worthy of a gardening book. |
lafko06
Brimfield, MA
(Zone 5a)
January 18, 2008
10:46 PM Post #4423013
| I picked other this time. Bottome line is that all of my favorite catalogs are the ones from my favorite companies. Some are bw, others are color, some a mixture of both and I don't have a preference as to how they "look." If I had to pick just one or die (based solely on appearance), then I would pick Annie's Annuals. :)O |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
January 19, 2008
11:12 AM Post #4424325
| I love to see what's new in plants from the glossy catalogs, but then I order seeds on line and love to both shop locally and anytime I am on the highway traveling. |
Pamgarden
Central, VA
(Zone 7b)
January 19, 2008
12:30 PM Post #4424679
| Just joined Dave's Garden. Yippee. I go for all kinds of catalogs, from the Forrest Farm "telephone" book style with 5,000 different items to the glossies from White Flower Farm and Burpees and everything in between. BUT nothing brings a smile to my face like those full color pictures of perennials at their peak of summer bloom. |
Maria
Rehoboth, MA
(Zone 5a)
January 19, 2008
10:13 PM Post #4427150
| 'White Flower Farm' is my favorite catalog,, have received them for many years to order from and still have most of them they are like great reference books. |
paulgrow
Allen Park, MI
(Zone 6a)
January 20, 2008
7:28 AM Post #4428026
| I think Johnnys Selected Seeds has the best catalog out there.
Great pictures and tons of cultural information.
I hate catalogs with only black & White photos or no photos at all, I won't buy form them.
Paul |
greenthumb_NC
Charlotte, NC
(Zone 7b)
January 20, 2008
12:16 PM Post #4428596
| I toss the old catalog out when I get the new one. I tend to stay with my old stand-bys to order though. Sometimes the new catalogs can give me a idea for a new plant, but I am unlikely to purchase if it is the first year for the catalog. I'll look around and see if I can find the plant in a garden center. I peruse the catalogs throughout the year for ideas. Being on the computer for all that ... is no fun for me.
Karin |
mommie
Weslaco, TX
(Zone 9b)
March 6, 2008
7:47 PM Post #4631157
| I have no favorites.Only get one! |
plantnative
Howell, MI
March 31, 2008
3:00 PM Post #4736195
| My favorites are
Baker Creek Heirloom seed co awesome catalog and wonderful selection of veggie seeds!
Pinetree garden seeds great prices good herb selection
Seed Savers Exchange interseting and fun veggie variety
Cook's garden great variety
Seymours selected seeds wonderful flower seeds
Prairie Frontier for wildflower seeds and plants
Bluestone perennial great plants great prices
|
holeth
Lehigh Valley, PA
(Zone 6a)
March 31, 2008
9:29 PM Post #4737897
| #1 RH Shumway's Selected Seeds - Heirlooms and rare stuff. Lots o' personality to go with it, too! [HYPERLINK@www.rhshumway.com]
Seeds of Change - GREAT people. Their "Seeds of Hope" program has a major impact on several causes near to my heart. [HYPERLINK@www.seedsofchange.com]
Some folks mentioned Johnny's. They deserve credit: good variety, reliable, no fuss.
[HYPERLINK@www.johnnyseeds.com]
Here in eastern PA, Burpee is one of the locals. They don't brag about their community participation, so public opinion of them is unfairly tilted. In some circles, their name has become synonymous with "hybrid du jour." Then again, if having the latest and greatest wasn't popular, it wouldn't be profitable. [HYPERLINK@www.burpee.com]
Stoke's sent me nothing but substitutions. This happened 3 or 4 years in a row. It was a rare case when the cultivar was key. I'd rather get my money back than pay for something I didn't order and can't use.
The Breck's bulb catalog is pretty. It's great for decoupage. Do they own Holland?
Beth
|
