germ catalogs are starting to sate my letter box with the at hand comer of spring , and they ’re one of my best-loved ways to pass a rainy day . Parked on the couch , marker in mitt , I can spend an entire afternoon circling come choices and dogearing pages with the vertigo of a Kyd in a confect shop .
( These are thebest seed catalogsI’ve find over my many years of growing thousands of seeds . )
One of my Facebook followers put it good : It ’s one of those time when the eyes are bigger than the stomach ( or in my case , adult than the garden ) .
I ’ve been buy and get going seeds every class since I started garden ( a veteran or even an addict , you might say ) , but I think back those other days of attempt to unravel the mystery of the acronym and abbreviations in my come packets and catalogs .
What was the departure between OP versus F1 source ? Or scarification versus social stratification ? What were all those uncanny missive listed in the love apple descriptions ? Trying to understand a seed catalog sometimes experience like I was reading a science schoolbook .
If you ’re new to seed shopping — or even if you ’ve been doing it a while and always glossed over the terms — lease me serve you cut through the cant . Here ’s the full rundown of what you might encounter in a garden seed catalogue and what it all intend .
Bookmark this varlet to help you read and decode your seed catalogs and germ parcel !
Types of seeds listed in seed catalogs and seed packets
Open-pollinated seeds
refer as ( OP ) , open - pollinated seed sort are pollinated naturally by wind , insects , dame , or human race . Because pollen flows freely between item-by-item plants of the same variety , there can be quite a bit of variation within these plant population as they adapt to the local mood and growing consideration year after year .
As long as seeds are saved from plant life of a same variety , with no chance for hybridisation - pollination with other varieties , they will breed “ true to type”—that is , similar to the parent works .
relate : How to Save and Store Seeds for Next Year ’s Garden
Heirloom seeds
The by and large accepted definition of an heirloom is an open - pollenate source variety that has been die down for at least 50 years . All heirloom seeds are open - pollenate , but not all open - cross-pollinate seeds are heirlooms .
Many varieties move long length with settlers , farmers , and collectors from other cultures and commonwealth , and thestories behind heirloom seedsare a fascinating glimpse into account .
Hybrid seeds
Not to be confused with GMOs ( genetically modified organism ) or GM ( genetically modified ) seed , loanblend are the result of fussy - pollinate two plants of dissimilar assortment within the same metal money .
cross can pass off indiscriminately in nature , but commercially speaking , cross is a cautiously controlled and deliberate crown of thorns to produce a desirable trait in a plant , such as disease resistance or size uniformness .
Hybrid seeds are genetically unsound and will not give rise true to type ; however , they can become stabilize by growing , selecting , and saving the come over clock time .
F1 hybrids
In genetic science , the term “ F1 ” ( sometimes written as “ F1 “ ) refers to Filial 1 — meaning “ first children . ”
F1 hybrid seeds are create through the selective hybridizing - pollination of two dissimilar parent plants . Plants grown from F1 loan-blend exhibit characteristic that are predominant in each parent , but are not identical to either .
F1 seeds must be buy every twelvemonth if you require to grow the same plant again , as they do n’t multiply on-key ( or are otherwise sterile ) .
Non-GMO seeds
When germ are genetically engineer , genetic information is artificially distil from plants of different specie and introduce into the DNA of other plant life .
GM seeds differ from intercrossed semen in that their trait can never take place in nature or through traditional grumpy - breeding techniques . Most seed catalogs betray the fact that their inventory is non - GMO , but the recording label is merely marketing .
There are actuallyvery few GM seedson the market : commodity crop ( corn , canola , soybeans , cotton , sugar beets ) , animal provender ( alfalfa ) , and certain produce ( papayas , unripened courgette , and sensationalistic summer crush ) .
Contrary to popular belief , neither Monsanto nor its subsidiary , Seminis , sells GM come to the dwelling house gardening grocery store , so you wo n’t find them in your seed catalog .
all the same , many companies voluntarily sign theSafe Seed Pledgeas an self-assurance to their customers and a argument of societal responsibility .
notice that there is no superintendence on the Safe Seed Pledge , as we ’re simply counting on those party to be reliable . But if your position is to avoid line the pocket of Monsanto all , be aware that a company that pledged to “ not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds ” may still be buying non - GM source from Monsanto / Seminis .
Popular hybrid like Burpee ’s Big Boy tomatoes , Celebrity tomato , and Cheddar Brassica oleracea botrytis are , in fact , non - GMO varieties possess by Seminis . You canfind the full list here .
Organic seeds
Sometimes denote as ( OG ) , organic seeds differ from conventional seeds in that they ’re raised under constituent growing conditions stipulated by the seed farmers ’ certifying agency ( typically theUSDAorCCOF ) .
germ companies may also stock seeds from small farm that are not manifest but still cohere to their own organic principles . Such seeds may be report as sustainable , chemical free , or pesticide free , but these terms are not baffle .
Biodynamic seeds
These types of seed are certified by the Demeter Association ( standardized to how organic seeds are certified by USDA ) .
Biodynamic seed are open - pollinated change grown on soil that has been biodynamically cared for , cleave to rigid guideline about germination rates and follow all biodynamic gardening rule ( including no pesticide use and no complex treatment in labs ) .
Treated seeds
Treated seed are coated with an antifungal or antimicrobial treatment to protect against pathogens and reduce the chances of moulder in soil . The chemical coat is seeable on the seed , so you could always discern a treated seed from an untreated seed .
Pelleted seeds
Pelleted seeds are modest , on an irregular basis shaped , or otherwise heavily - to - handgrip seeds that have been surface with an inert clay to make them larger , more uniform in shape , and easy to see and inseminate .
Some seed are primed before pelleting , which bulge the metabolic procedure that lead to germination andspeeds up the germination timeonce the seed is in the filth .
bantam semen like carrots , onion , and lolly are often pelleted , which is vastly utile if you run to have a heady script when sow seeds .
Parthenocarpic
Parthenocarpic is a term referring to vegetable varieties that have the ability to produce fruit without being pollinated . These types of fruit are seedless and typically occur with certain varieties of tomato , eggplant , cuke , and summertime squash .
(su), (se) or (sh2)
These abbreviations are specific tosweet cornvarieties .
( su)stands for “ normal sugary , ” or sweet corn that check a moderate floor of sweetness ( typically two times more sugar than received field corn ) . The bread in ( su ) miscellany quickly converts to starch if the spike are not harvested and eat soon after they ’re ready .
( se)stands for “ sugary enhanced , ” or corn that is sweeter than the su form . This eccentric of cherubic Indian corn rest angelical and cranky for two to four days after harvest , if refrigerated , as the rebirth of sugar to starch is greatly reduced .
( sh2)stands for “ shrunken ” due to the shrunken appearing of the seeds . This last one is also know as the “ tiptop Sweet ” as it ’s the sweetest of the cultivars , containing double as much simoleons as ( su ) designate sweet-scented corn .
AAS
This acronym stands for All - America Selection . It ’s an award given by an independentAmerican horticultural organizationthat try new varieties of seed every year and judge them based on performance . Flower seeds and eatable seeds with raise outstanding performance in AAS tryout become All - America Selections Winners ( or AAS Winners ) .
CCOF
CCOF stands forCalifornia Certified Organic Farmers , a nonprofit organic certifying agency and trade association base in Santa Cruz , California . It was the first organic authentication entity work in the United States in 1973 .
OTCO
OTCO place upright forOregon Tilth Certified Organic , an organic accreditation program ground in 1974 and found in Corvallis , Oregon .
Common plant terms in seed catalogs
Variety
A variety show is a version of a plant . Each diversity has different characteristics such as size , shape , color , metre to maturity date , or plague and disease resistance .
Cultivar
Sometimes used in blank space of “ mixed bag , ” a cultivar means a civilize variety of a plant life .
Varietal (or cultivar) name
This is the name give to a variety or cultivar of a works . It ’s generally the common ( or generic ) name that a plant is have sex by the consumer . Varietal and cultivar names sometimes alter by region , so to be perfectly indisputable you ’re buying the correct plant life , always refer to the scientific name .
Plant name
Also call a scientific name , this is the fancy Romance name for a plant . It ’s the only way to assure you purchase the proper seed , as common names may vary from region to part or be used for multiple coinage . The plant name always contains the genus and coinage , and sometimes the change after it .
Hardiness zone
TheUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Mapsets the criterion by which home gardener can determine which plants are probable to thrive in a certain location . The single-valued function separate the country into 11 hardiness zone based on the average minimum winter temperature .
Choosing seeds that fall within your hardiness zone are your upright bet for garden success , though it ’s possible to grow plants outside of your zona if you live in a microclimate or preserve a nursery .
If you live in the west , another clime geographical zone standard you might come across ( peculiarly on works tags sell in the area ) is theSunset Climate Zone , which divides the region into 24 mood zone .
I in reality notice the Sunset Zones to be more indicatory of the literal produce climate in a yield area ( especially after living in Southern California and Central Oregon , which both have a variety of microclimates ) . Aside from factoring in average temperatures and hurriedness , the Sunset Zones take into account specific environmental condition like prevailing winds , daytime length , and general soil character .
Frost date
This is the average engagement for a light freeze or hoar ( 29 ° F to 32 ° atomic number 9 ) in a given locating . To attend up the first and last icing dates in your area , download mycustomizable planting calendar .
# days or days to maturity
This frame is rather vague and highly variable , sinceseed storage life , hardiness zone , and environmental factors all play a role in how long it takes for a plant to grow — that is , when it ’s ripe or quick for crop .
dissimilar fellowship have different definitions of what constitutes “ Day to maturity , ” but it is generally accepted that for seed sow directly in the garden , the number specifies the middling length of time from the 24-hour interval the seeded player pullulate to the sidereal day the plant can be harvest .
Forseeds started indoors , the countdown begins on the 24-hour interval it ’s transplant in the garden ( and this goes for transplant you buy as well ) .
memorize how todetermine days to maturity on a seed packetto help you be a best gardener !
Early season, mid season, or late season
These terms are sometimes used in place of “ maturity ” or “ daylight to maturity . ” They bear on to the average time it accept for a works to get to harvesting stage during the mature season .
Germination rate
Expressed as a part , the germination charge per unit count on the viability of germ in a typical seed parcel .
Viability
The power of the ejaculate to shoot and survive . On a seed packet , this full term is similar with “ Germination Rate . ”
memorise more : How Long Do seed Last ? ( + Cheat Sheet on Seed Expiration Dates )
Annual, biennial or perennial
Annualplants grow , position seed , and accomplish their sprightliness ’s use in a single time of year before dying .
Biennialstake two seasons to determine seed , whileperennialslive year after yr .
There are alsotender perennial , which are extremely susceptible to frost , and perennial that are more commonly grown as annuals ( such as Madagascar pepper ) , therefore they ’re labeled as such .
Determinate, indeterminate, or semi-determinate
These terms refer to the growth habits of love apple plants .
Determinate tomatoes(sometimes call patio or bush tomato ) reach a certain peak and then stop grow . The plants remain relatively compact and most of their fruit matures within a calendar month .
undetermined tomatoes , on the other mitt , continue to grow , flower , and yield all season long until the first halt . It ’s not rare for these plants to gain over 10 animal foot in height , so they take sturdy support or veritable pruning to tame the vines .
Semi - definitive tomatoesfall somewhere in between the two and normally have a more concentrated fruit set .
record more : Grow Tomatoes Like a political boss With These 10 Easy Tips
Direct seed or direct sow
Certain plants do n’t do well with transplanting due tolong taprootsor sensitivity to transplant shock , so it ’s recommend that they be now seeded in the garden where they will grow . If you have raise beds , be sure to apply myintensive works spacing guideto maximize your harvest each season .
Transplant
As a verb , it stand for to move a seedling from a tummy or tray into the garden . As a noun , it ’s a baby plant ( also call a start or starter plant ) that has been started in a small pot or punch inner circle .
relate : How to Repot Tomato Seedlings for Bigger and Better works
Scarification
Seed scarification ask nicking , sanding , filing , cracking , hit it up in hot water , or as the name implies , scarringthe difficult outer coat of a source to allow wet to enter and boost germination . Very large come or those with fatheaded coats often need to be scarify before sowing .
In nature , this process ofbreaking down the seed Nasua narica reach through microbial activities ( likeseed fermentation ) , freeze temperature , or pass through the digestive tracts of animals , such as birds .
Stratification
Stratification ( also call cold social stratification ) is the physical process of exposing seeds to cold and dampish status to violate their dormancy and push sprouting .
The easiest way to accomplish this is to allow nature do its work : verbatim sow the seeds in late summer or fall , wait out the wintertime , then watch the seeds sprout in give . Winter sowing also helps with social stratification . Sometimes , source packets will come with program line for stratifying seeds indoors in the icebox .
Seed inoculant
A seed inoculant ( or legume inoculum ) introducesRhizobiumbacteria to the soil to aid in the formation ofnitrogen - fixing nodules ( Rhizobia ) on plant roots . This is especially important if you ’re growingcover crops ( like field peas)and desire to maximise their benefits .
Most inoculum sold for house garden use are a blend of beneficial microbes designed to work out well with unremarkably originate legumes , such as peas , beans , fava edible bean , and soybeans , though some seed get with their own inoculant .
Related : Free Fertilizer ! How to Grow Fava Beans as a Cover Crop
Seed garlic
While unfeigned garlic seeds do be , garlic is seldom uprise from them . or else , the “ seed garlic ” betray byseed companiesare full - grown garlic bulbs that youseparate into individual cloves to plant .
learn more : How to opt the Best Garlic Varieties For Your Garden
Seed potato
Similar to seeded player Allium sativum , seed white potato vine are whole , full - grow murphy that you cut up and flora .
Onion set
An onion plant set is a diminished , partially grow onion ( often sold several to a bag ) that is ready to transfer . Unlike baby onion plant plants , onion sets have no leaves as they ’ve been cured and store before lading .
If you’vegrown your own onion plant , you may have even unwittingly grown your own onion sets .
What do all those abbreviations and acronyms in seed catalogs mean?
Most loan-blend have been breed to resist disease that commonly blight the variety . In germ catalogs , such disease are indicated with cryptic abbreviations and acronyms called plant disease underground codes ( garden speak for “ here ’s what this works is protected against ” ) .
utilise this ready to hand chart to help you trace them .
Common seed terminology used in seed catalogs
This Wiley Post update from an clause that originally appeared on January 25 , 2017 .
