how do you pick seeds? (a bit rhetorical)

[DeerMother]

I got my beautiful http://rareseeds.com/ seed catalog yesterday. . . but how do I pick? 50 or so varieties of tomatoes, many melons, cucumbers, sweet peppers, hot peppers. Then all the food I have never tasted and don't know how to prepare but looks so pretty! And the herbs!

Seriously, is there a way to research which variety will do best in my climate and conditions? Even if they are a rare and heirloom seed? Is it just a lot of trial and error for you seasoned pros? Do you ever grow things not knowing much about it and just learn as you grow?

[lmonter]

Um, use all of the above as your criteria?

I do some poking around on the varieties that sound most interesting to me. And here with my short climate, any tomatoes or peppers or melons or whatever that needed more than 90 days got the axe and so on. Can take some time, but if you're into the research because it's fun, it won't phase you. Can be difficult finding days to maturity on Baker Creek stuff, btdt.

And yes, I've attempted lots of crazy things. Artichokes in particular one year. Yeah, that was a flop. Too cold up here, I didn't start them in time to do the chill thing, etc. Sesame seeds were a flop last year as well, and I think I got one Brandywine off 1-3 plants one year. *sigh* Always a learning experience, that's for darned sure.

[AlwaysByMySide]

I do research on the particulars for my zone (I do some winter sowing, and start seeds inside, and live in 7A, so the length of time to maturity isn't TOO big of a deal for me), and I keep a list of stuff from other message boards or blogs that have done well for others, and then just kind of go from there. I'm going to start doing some seed trading this year, so I can have even more variety than my wallet would normally allow. I'm also thinking of doing a plant sale this year, so that I'll have the cash to choose more different things next year.

[phoenixrisen]

I recently got this catalog in the mall too. Isn't it amaaaaaazing??? Like a piece of art. I bought a bunch of their seeds last year and had good luck with them. It is baker creek, right? If I remember correctly, they give a lot of info on their website about growing conditions and taste and storage, etc. Last year, I just had fun with it! I bet you could call them with questions, too.

[JamieCatheryn]

I read the descriptions carefully, looking for things mentioning my climate and heavy clay soils and notes about good flavor and prolific production. If something was just great I save the seeds myself if I can.

[Snapdragon]

I just have fun with it and get the things that appeal to me. then you can see how they do.

[Erinz]

I've been trying to stage things a bit more but it's such a completely unscientific process I wouldn't give it much levity if ykwim.

I buy things I have tried and worked (if I didn't manage to save the seeds alreadY) or which sound good or tasty. I'm lucky in that I live in "the salad bowl of the world" ie Salinas Valley, CA so much of what I try will work if I can manage to keep birds and pests (and children) away whilst watering and feeding.

Try stuff. Love it. Watch it grow.

That's my new theory on life in general