Seeds

[groovlstk]

Are there any amateur gardeners out there?

My fiancee's mom has a beautiful garden in her backyard, and I was hoping to bring some flower seeds and herb seeds as a gift when I fly to Moscow next month.

I know squat about gardening but I've read that most of the mail order companies that sell flower seeds are second rate. Can anyone recommend a place to pick up good quality seeds?

[viking]

I had good luck with common seeds in places like Lowe's or Home Depot. But I dont know what they might have at this time of year. More snow shovels than gardening but you never know if there are any leftovers. Make sure what you buy will withstand whatever climate they have over there. BTW, plant enough seeds and you will have flowers. Take the ones that make it and use those seeds for the following year. Survival of the fittest so to speak.

[Sohkay]

Groov,
I don't know if she has vegetables or not, but if she does, consider getting some American varieties for her. I've given many and have found that some of the cucumber and carrot varieties were very well received. They claimed that they were sweeter and more tender than the varieties available over there. I purchased them at a local garden store.

[BC]

I think jb brought this up several years back.. he probably knows best what went over well / grew best.

We keep my inlaws in stock with all kinds.. it's not a high ticket item where you can't afford to make a mistake 

When I was in the US last time I bought some genetically manipulated awesome sweet corn to plant next summer.

I do know my inlaws passed on ocra seeds.

[BillyB]

Groov,

You might get in trouble transfering seeds into a different country. Might want to check with your airline what you can or can't bring into Russia. In the past, because of people's mistakes, entire crops have been decimated by a new disease or bug brought in the country that attached itself to fruits and vegetables. Seeds might be a different story though.

[TexasBoar]

BillyB beat me to it. In a word: kudzu.  Imported plant, now eating the entire Southeastern US. 

That said, google "seedsavers" . . . you should be able to purchase some wonderful heirloom varieties---herbs, veggies, flowers---that your relatives will be able to save some seed from each year and replant for the next.  Can't do THAT with hybrids!

~Boar

[Bruno]

You might get in trouble transfering seeds into a different country. Might want to check with your airline what you can or can't bring into Russia.

English text :

- The Customs Code Of The Russian Federation
http://www.russian-customs-code.com/
- Customs Tariff Of The Russian Federation
http://www.russian-customs-tariff.com/

 

- The Criminal Code Of The Russian Federation
http://www.russian-criminal-code.com/
- Tax Code Of The Russian Federation
http://www.russian-tax-code.com/
- The Civil Code of the Russian Federation
http://www.russian-civil-code.com/
- Code Of Administrative Offences Of The Russian Federation
http://www.russian-offences-code.com/

[Durk]

   Groov ask your gal what her mother is growing now. This would
give you the family of plant or plant type. Next find out what
 kind of soil they have there. Check with one of their local
universities in that region. Finally daily temps and amount of
direct sunlight. Some of our varieties may or may not do well there
because of soil conditions and our plants resistance to pests etc.
    I have an Agway close to my co. they usually have a wide
selection of seeds and flower mixes. I would also suggest you
talk to a landscape company in your area that does flower gardens.
     Give them the location conditions and they should be able to
reccommend good varieties to grow.
      We do not want to give her mother seed that never comes up
now do we?
       Bill is right about the bug issue. The European Paper Wasp
is here in the US and spreading like crazy. They are NASTY!!
       If you do your homework you can also buy simular varieties
over there if you have to.

[Michelangelo]

I think jb brought this up several years back.. he probably knows best what went over well / grew best.

  Seems to me that he hit his plants with Round-Up and killed them?  And now the soil is poisoned for 6 months....?

[BC]

  Seems to me that he hit his plants with Round-Up and killed them?  And now the soil is poisoned for 6 months....?

Don't worry.. he'll be back in a few hours to defend himself.. LOL

Drive safely jb.

[ConnerVT]

I have sent seeds and brought seeds with me several times.  Never have had a problem.

My MIL LOVES getting them!  They have a big yard, and three greenhouses.  My MIL is also a professional cook, and their house is the popular meeting place for the entire extended family (and friends).  She always enjoys feeding people the "American" vegetables that she's grown from the seeds we sent.

If you go the the larger garden centers, find a sales associate, and tell them you need seeds suitable for a northern climate (such as here in Vermont).  There are quite a variety of things that I'm sure they will like to try.

Don't worry if the seeds aren't the freshest you can find.  Many of the seeds people find in Russia also have a poor germination rate.  They will just plant more seeds, and thin them out once they start to grow.