With the holidays behind us, our mailboxes are overflowing with seed catalogs. The multitude of varieties can be overwhelming, but choosing good-quality seeds is important for successful gardening. Consider these tips when choosing seeds to increase the likelihood of success in your garden.

• Know your local climate. Colorado State University posts climate summaries that show average frost dates to help you determine your time to start seeds and the harvest window. For some vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, the days to maturity are from the time of transplant, not from the date the seed was started. Choosing seed varieties with shorter harvest windows is helpful in Colorado due to our shorter growing season and volatile weather patterns. See: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/743.pdf

• Know your hardiness zone. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average coldest temperatures. Discover your hardiness zone by ZIP code and seek out seeds for perennials that are appropriate for that zone. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

• Manage some plant diseases through seed selection. Some diseases, especially soil-born ones, can linger in soil for many years. Seed catalogs are a great source of information for many disease-resistant varieties (eg. rust-resistant beans or blight-resistant tomatoes). Choosing a resistant variety does not guarantee your plants won’t get the disease, but it does increase the chances of successful food production.

• Purchase seeds from a reliable source. A good seed catalog (or independent garden center) will offer far more site-specific seed variety options than national big-box stores, and seed purchased from dependable sources will provide a good start toward a bountiful harvest.

Another good source of information is the All-America Selection, a nonprofit organization that has established trial gardens throughout the United States. Each winter it announces new winning varieties, species or strains of outstanding annuals, vegetables and bedding plants that were grown and judged on their performance. See: https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/tag/seed-selection/

• Remember, bigger packets are not always better deals. Even under ideal storage conditions, seeds have a shelf life. Different types of seeds differ significantly in the time they remain viable. With increasing seed costs, it’s important to order sufficient seed yet not waste it or plant more than needed. Seed longevity and viability, seeds per weight, and seed storage requirements can be found here: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/storing-vegetable-and-flower-seeds-7-221/

• Follow planting instructions on seed packets. This is important because it helps you choose the right seeds for your garden, and it helps you get the most out of your plants.

Submit gardening questions to csumg2@elpasoco.com or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk is closed for the season.