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Ordering seeds from the U.S./Heat mats worth it?

15 years ago

Ah, January in Western Canada...minus 20, dark and miserable--what better time to look ahead to the new gardening season! I have two separate questions.

One, does anyone have experience ordering from the United States, specifically Thompson and Morgan? They refer to Canadian customers in their catalogue. What is your experience with them? (I'm also planning orders to William Dam, Veseys and T & T -- but Thompson and Morgan seems to have many varieties the others don't carry.)

Two, what do you think of heat mats for germination? I've always thought they were too small to be practical, and that $30 and up was an outrageous price. However, I'm now seeing these for sale all over, and am beginning to think that if they help with germination, maybe they're not a bad idea after all.

Look forward to hearing from everyone.

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Comments (7)

north53 Z2b MB
15 years ago
Hi Petunia,
Yeah, I agree, looking forward to gardening helps us cope with winter!
I just wanted to comment on the heat mats. I've used one for years and have had good success rates for germination with it. Germination is faster also.

Yes they are small, but I only use it for germination. Once the seeds sprout, the containers are moved under the lights. Also, I seed into small containers to start. Once the seedlings have a couple sets of true leaves I prick them out and transplant into larger containers. That way I can have quite a few containers on the heat mat at once.

Good luck and good gardening!
sierra_z2b
15 years ago
Hi Petunia,

I also use a heat mat. I only use it for the harder to start seeds....usually the ones that require a constant higher temperature. It does speed up germination.

I agree with North, once I see a single sprout they are moved under the lights.

Sierra
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Crazy_Gardener
15 years ago
I've had poor germination rate with T&T seeds in the past, but it depends on what seed you're trying. I order from the states all the time, sometimes you will get dinged with gst/paper work but very seldom.

A heat mat works great, you only need them for the germination period.

Sharon
savona
15 years ago
A couple years ago I ordered from T+M (USA) and had no problems at all..Last year the order came from Canada and this year even though it doesnt say it on your invoice it does say on the catalog that Canadian orders are shipped direct from Canada (which I hope is true because sierra and I have a large combined order coming in the next few days). I have ordered from Park's(USA) the last couple years and got my order promptly. T+T has burnt me on live (dead) plants but I havent had any problems with their seeds...savona
Crazy_Gardener
15 years ago
I'm sorry, I meant T&M Seeds, T&T seeds is another story!
luv2gro
15 years ago
I have ordered from T & M and had some problems with germination also, but not as bad as some people. However, despite them having more selection, it seems that the "special" ones are the ones I've had the most trouble with. And as Sharon and others have pointed out to me, they are certainly not the cheapest. Many of their seeds are available at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, etc. and are there now. At least at Can. Tire.

Mine have always been shipped from Canada but I have always ordered from the Canadian website. No problems with their shipping at all.

Shauna
FrozeBudd_z3/4
15 years ago
Have had pretty good success with T&M seeds, though not so great with the primulas and sweetpeas. Park Seed is a good place to order from, especially now with our dollar basically being on par ... also, they often provide more seeds per pack at a cheaper cost than Stokes.

Terry

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