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I love Shepherd's Garden Seeds. I buy my seeds from them every year~ up until this past year, I have always started my own seeds... but this year I invested (quite pricey) in sending for tomato plants and they were perfect!
I ordered my favorites and they were both available as plants; Carmellas and Sungolds... I highly recommend this despite the price, the plants were far superior to plants I had purchased locally.
I have been using Shepherd's seeds for almost ten years. I find their seeds to be of superior quality. I have not ordered from them for a while since we have a food co-op that carries their seeds. I really like their cut-and-come again lettuce seed mixes.
On Nov 29, 2001, melody Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote:
I have used Shepherd's for several years now and have always had great service. The selection is great for open pollinated seeds and they value organic practices.
Rene sold to White Flower Farms a few years back and has moved to California. Her cookbooks are fantastic for fresh produce and herbs. Recipes from a Kitchen Garden and More Recipes from a Kitchen Garden. I think they are still in Shepherd's catalog - were last year. The zuchetta rampicante makes an order a must on my part. Lime green, firm, tasty summer squash that outgrows the squash bugs. Had bad lucklast year on Outer Banks, but I think it was lack of pollinators - am planting with anise hyssop this year. I use it like zucchini or yellow squash, but don't even plant these two anymore. Concho de Toro peppers are great.
I've purchased many herbs from Shepherd's in the past and been very pleased. Last year, I grew garlic for the first time and was surprised at how huge the bulbs became, far nicer than the ones I buy at the grocery store. This year in preparation to plant garlic again, I was separating the cloves and noticed they weren't up to standard. I called Shepherd's and described how they looked. The representative is immediately sending new ones out. This is one of the best garden companies I've yet to come across and I order from many since we have a green house.
I have ordered from them for several years. The seed quality is unmatchable along with their customer service. I received my order recently within five days. Their catalogue is very interesting with good recipes, and gardening items one can order. I will order from Shepherd anytime I need seeds. Anyone that complains about their prices must realize that seeds are cheap at any price if you want them and the cost of their catalogue absorbs a portion of the cost of the seeds along with the great customer service.
I highly recommend Shepherd Garden seeds. I ordered all flower seeds from them. I have big, healthy mallow plants in my back yard and they are blooming beautifully. Their seed quantities were generous and germination was great. They may be a little more expensive than others but you get more seeds and better germination, in my opinion.
My phone order was taken with professionalism, and it came within days, well-packed and perfect. I have tired of planting the same old-same old, so this year I ordered some completely different types of the "same old" veggies. We now have some really weird cucumbers coming up, Mid Eastern "Tamra" and curly "Painted Serpent". They are growing well. I also got a wonderful basket that is made like they used to be, with a handle that can handle some weight from ripe produce! I would definitely order from them again!
I have ordered from Shepherd's Seeds for several years. Although the prices are a bit high, the quality of the seeds is excellent, as is Shepherd's service. I save packets for several years and have a good germination rate for two to three years (at least) on most of their seeds. I appreciate the interesting selection of vegetables they offer. Shepherd's is my #1 choice for seeds.
I ordered stock from several companies this year, and have planted their stock side by side, you can really tell what came from where. The stock from Shephard's is doing well.
I love the catalog, of course, but do agree that the pricing is steep. Still, every spring, I order, because the selection is unmatched. I do not pay their prices for the more ordinary selections, but do indulge for some items year after year. I do wish they would put the sun requirements on all entries and include a larger selection of shade tolerant items.
This is one of my all-time favorite companies. Incredible catalog, excellent selection, ok prices, superior germination and they provide lots of extras- recipes, and information sheets. Nice selection of tomatoes, peppers, nasturtiums, morning glories and sweet peas.
I too found the prices to be a little high, but the selection of out of the ordinary seeds compensates. The inclusion of no less than *6* pages of recipes for the chilies and tomatoes I ordered will ensure my order next year. I can't speak on the quality of the produce of my seeds because my garden was flooded twice this year and all of my plants were heinously drowned. However, following established seed starting methods, my seeds grew to young transplants very well.
I ordered mixed Kale from this company and it's completely taking over my greens bed! It's absolutely gorgeous and very delicious. I'm having a hard time getting the sunflowers to germinate, but it's been a very wet spring here.
I love Shepherds Seeds! I enjoy their catalogue (and their recipes.) Their service is great, seeds 99% germination! I only wish they sold their seeds in "vintage" type packaging to add to the richness of their offerings!
I bought horseradish roots from them last year, and they eventually came up gangbusters and performed superbly, but the planting instructions and information regarding germination time, etc., were maddeningly inexact and uninformative. It is the one area that Shepherd's needs to improve.[update 9/1996]I ordered from them again this year, and, with one exception, was extremely pleased. The exception was the annual vine plants they offered. I ordered six different ones.One plant was DOA; a second was so weak that it simply didn't make it. A third was so mature that it had been cut back before shipment, and the resulting plant was stunted and grew but 18" tall. A fourth, which seemed healthy, never made it.The remaining two? Jungle plants.Otherwise, Shepherd's ranks among the best, and I will continue to order seeds from them in the future, since the germination rate is 100%, andthey offer an excellent variety, including many wonderful heirloom types.
