Have you ever been ready to plant the garden and your favorite All-America Selections (AAS) Winners are nowhere to be found?!
Sometimes the reason for this lacking seed is simply due to it being sold out, sometimes more complicated like if it was a bad year for seed production (Mother Nature has her ways after all…), and sometimes it is the most complicated explanation- that a variety has been removed from the market entirely (more on that in a minute).
In any case, the situation can make you feel a little down, like when one of your friends cannot make the party. Have no fear, there are things you can do throughout the year to be prepared with your favorite AAS seeds for seasons to come!
So, let us take a quick moment to discuss the worm in the apple- why do seed varieties sometimes disappear entirely?
The two main reasons are:
- A variety with better traits (flavor, yield, disease resistance) has been discovered
- That variety’s interest has waned, reducing seed supply, and making it difficult to source seed.
Since gardening is an exercise in optimism, most will agree that this change is good news! Like gardens themselves that are forever changing and adapting to the current times, variety changes mean that you can always look forward to discovering comparable but better workhorse varieties to help with succeeding in all your future garden adventures.
Here are some tips to keep your garden continuously stocked with your favorite AAS varieties!
1. Shop early –
Many garden websites and seed packet racks are restocked with seed in the early-mid fall when new seed harvest becomes available. Shop early for the best selection. Take a look at our Where To Buy AAS Winners for many garden retailers.
Often seeds go on sale during the summer. If you are falling in love with a variety as you are harvesting, look into buying more during the summer. You may luck out and even find a sale!
2. Stock up & store it –
Most varieties of seeds store well in a dark, cool, low-humidity environment (think freezer or root cellar). If you find a good stock of a must-have variety do not be afraid to buy a little extra as back-up for a second sowing or future seasons to come.
Garden journals, post-it notes, phone voice memos… find a method that works for you and keep records throughout the season, or at least wrap the season with a summary. You will be thankful in spring for the memory boost to help recall successes and opportunities from the year before.
3. Save Leftover Seed –
While it might be tempting to toss that half-used packet into your garden tote until the next season, take a note from Tip #2 and thoughtfully store your seeds for future use.
4. Reflect –
Sometimes you know exactly why a variety is your favorite (Best flavor! Biggest yield! No mildew!) but consider there are a variety of reasons why it may be doing well in your garden. Has shade opened up from a falling tree? Was it a perfect year for rainfall? Did you add an extra scoop of compost?
There is a lot to be said for good variety genetics, but the environment and garden culture also play a huge role in success. Try to not get hooked on the idea that it is the variety doing all the work and be open to trialing (see #5) other varieties that may prove equally successful.
Label your seeds by year purchased and store them in airtight containers. Do not be surprised if you continue to have full germination for 2-3 years or more!
5. Do ‘Trials’ –
Become your own All-America Selections trial station, at least in spirit. The many excellent industry experts who have trialed and awarded the varieties are positive for a variety’s great garden performance! But who is to say which cherry tomato best suits your blue-ribbon tomato salad and what if that variety is suddenly no longer available?
All-America Selections has almost 20 Winners in the snacking tomato category alone. Getting familiar with a backup variety or two is a terrific way to have you feeling not stuck if the seed supply gets tight. (Garden notes are necessary for this too!)
6. Talk to your Seed Companies –
Seed companies often employ off-season farmers or retired Extension agents and always have wonderfully trained call center folks on staff. If you are feeling concerned about substituting your must-have, cannot-be-found variety, give them a call or drop them a line. The expert on the other end will be happy to provide suggestions on, maybe, your next favorite variety.
Each new season is another chance at gardening greatness.
While it can be a letdown to move on from a past favorite variety, this too breeds new chances. Whether you decide to stock up on future favorites or to begin your trialing journey examining new varieties each year, rest assured there will always be great varieties on the market, vetted and awarded by the excellent All-America Selections trialing network.
