Selecting and Ordering Seeds
The long Missoula winter provides ample time to dream up plans for next season’s garden.
The excitement builds as seed catalogs arrive in the mail and seed packets appear in stores…but, with all the options at hand, how do we make best choices for our garden? This blog guides you through our process of selecting and sourcing seeds.
What to look for in a seed
These are our two primary considerations when selecting seeds for our gardens:
Which crops do we want to grow?
Which crops grow well in our climate?
While the first question is a matter of personal preference, the second requires a bit more information about Missoula’s growing season and how it relates to each crop’s number of days to maturity.
GROWING SEASON: the time between the last frost in the spring and the first frost of the fall.
Our growing season in Missoula averages about 120 days (last frost of spring: May 18; first frost of fall: September 20). Our relatively short season requires that we select seeds that can grow to maturity within that window.
DAYS TO MATURITY: the number of days after planting we can expect to harvest a given crop.
Different crops reach maturity at different rates. While Missoula’s growing season allows plenty of time for many crops to reach maturity (e.g. greens, peas, beans, radishes), others need a head start to reach maturity before the first frost of fall (e.g. tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, squash).
Each crop’s days to maturity will be clearly stated on the seed packet, and within the crop’s description if you’re using a website or printed catalog. Interpreting this information correctly depends on knowing whether the crop is generally directly seeded or transplanted in our climate.
Direct Seed vs. Transplant
Crops that require fewer days to maturity can be planted directly into the garden as a seed, referred to as “direct seeding”. For directly seeded crops, the days to maturity begins when the seed is placed in the soil.
Crops whose days to maturity approach or exceed the number of frost-free days in our climate are best started indoors or in a greenhouse before being transplanted into the garden. This allows these crops to mature earlier than they would if seeded directly. For transplanted crops, the days to maturity begins when the start is transplanted into the garden.
Crops we seed directly:
Arugula
Beans
Beets
Carrots
Corn
Garlic
Mixed/Baby Greens
Peas
Radishes
Spinach
crops we start in the greenhouse:
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Chard
Eggplant
Head Lettuce
Kale
Onions
Peppers
Summer Squash
Tomatoes
Tomatillos
Winter Squash
sourcing seeds
Selecting seeds is easier with the right choice of seed company.
Identifying companies that operate out of climates similar to that of Missoula will guarantee a solid selection of plant varieties appropriate for our limited growing season.
our favorite seed companies:
Triple Divide Seed Co-op — Local seed cooperative
Fedco Seeds — Seed cooperative based out of Maine
Johnny’s Selected Seeds — Employee owned company based in the NE
High Mowing Seeds — Organic, Non GMO vegetable seeds based in the NE
Seed Savers Exchange– Nonprofit dedicated to preserving heirloom seeds nationwide
Each company’s full list of offerings should be available online, and most will send you a printed catalog for free by request.
For an expert take on seed ordering, check out this catalog tutorial with our farmer Greg Price.
our favorite crop varieties:
For direct seeding…
For transplanting…
seed lifespan and storage
A seed’s viability, or ability germinate, will inevitably decrease with time. Storing seeds in a cool, dry environment will maximize their viability.
Crop variety also influences a seed's lifespan. For a detailed list of seed longevity, and more tips on seed storage, take a look at this article from the Colorado State Extension Office.
Are my old seeds viable?
If you’ve been holding onto seeds for several years, you might consider testing your germination rate.
This article from the Michigan State Extension Office provides basic directions for gauging seed viability with a germination test. Spoiler: all you need is your seeds, a paper towel, a plastic bag and time.
happy planning!
We hope this gives you the information and inspiration to put those garden dreams into action!
additional Resources:
Vegetable Planting and Transplanting Guide, Penn State Extension
List of commonly transplanted crops and helpful information on starting and transplanting each.
Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedule, Montana State University Extension
Comprehensive chart to help keep your planting and transplanting on track.
Garden Chart, Montana State University Extension
A great example of how to chart and track your garden’s progress throughout the season.
A look at our climate in comparison to the rest of the country.