Saw some at Lowe's, not on sale though :/ They did have some new types out. And they now have a 'Burpee Signature' line, whatever that means.

Stage rat. you have to understand the mindset of these engineers, with genius IQ's in math. They are perfectionist's to boot. enough that, sometimes, it can drive you crazy. He'll count just about anything in a seed packet, but even he draws the line when he hit the package of lettuce seeds and opened the inner foil packet and saw way to many seeds for even his patience. I quietly sat there, grinning to myself and thinking "finally a seed packet that you refuse to play with and count." Karen, I'm the one that has been posting the numbers in the seed packets in the burpee seeds on the rack. Been doing it for a couple of years now. K-mart has the seeds in the stores in MA now. I do miss the Martha Stewart seeds they carried when they had a contract with her. She had quite a few seed packets that others didn't have. Can't seem to find a store that carries them now. Fran

Burpee's marketing is a science it's self. I usually get their seeds on store racks. Last year I noticed price and seed differences between Home Depot and LOwes (Lowes being the highest) the local Hardware store has a rack and their prices are higher than the chain hardware. The super Walmart here put out a rack in February and almost of the Burpee seed is 1.50 per packet. They also put out a later rack last year that more of a selection. I ordered from Burpee last year because they had a pole bean and a melon I wanted. Althought the bean seed was pricy I got 2oz of beans, that is about the same amount of seed packet size I get the farm store for truck patch farmer size. My brother asked me what I wanted for xmas and I said a gift certificate from T&M, Park, Burpee, Johnny's would be great he picked Burpee. My first glance at the catalog and the 50.00 would only buy 10 packets of seed! I am going thru the catalog again and picking out only what is on their seed sale rack and ordering only what I know I can't get locally. Even the equipment section was sparse for someone who has been gardening for decades.

I've used some of my jiffy trays that are in their 4th year now and holding up fine. I'm always really careful with my trays though- I slide a cookie sheet under them when I want to move them, make sure I never leave them out in the elements for longer than necessary. I also try to move my trays as little as possible. I did pick up a couple extra trays from Menards this year- I wanted a few extra for holding solo cups. They are Planters Pride I think? Or at least the rest of what Menards has is that brand. Anyway, they are for sure much tougher plastic than the jiffy trays. They were 99 cents each, on sale, I think regularly they are 1.99. For some of my "off" plantings, like a couple pots or several toilet paper tubes- I use recycled lettuce containers. They are really sturdy, hold up well for years- and I can use a pair of them for a tray and tall dome when I need to. Sometimes I use those big round clear plastic tubs meant for putting under houseplants as water saucers too if I'm using toilet paper tubes or only doing a few pots of something. I have the deep wall kind that I picked up on clearance from a nursery a year or two ago. Some of the best water through trays I've ever used were bread trays. Those heavy plastic ones that bread gets delivered to the grocery store in. Man, those things were tough as nails, super solid and sturdy, and when I needed to make them a solid tray, I would just line them with a garbage bag and bam. I lost the couple I had a couple moves ago, I should see if I can't get more of those.