Winter can be a great time of year for gardeners. Our comfort levels go way up when we can settle into an easy chair, thumb through the contents of the latest catalog and visualize how those hot new plants will look installed in our own beds and borders.

As we dig more deeply into the information on those glossy pages, though, it doesn't take long for 'sticker shock' to set in. These must-have plants can fetch some mighty high prices. Add in shipping and handling charges, and it's easy to spend $20 or $30 on a single plant.

Is it worth it? That's for you to decide. But if you're looking for a lower cost way to fill your garden this year, consider having "faith in a seed," as Thoreau admonished us. While some of those latest fashion plants may not be available in seed form, if you shop native, heirloom and restoration nurseries you will probably be able to find seeds from their parent plants—the basis for all those lovely must-have traits.

Here are a few companies that can get you started:

www.territorialseed.com or www.southernexposure.com
Both feature unusual kinds of many different food crops.

www.jlhudsonseeds.net
Established in 1911, this is a public access seed bank, not a commercial seed company. They distribute rare seeds from every continent—native plants from around the world, including flowers, vines, trees, cacti, culinary herbs, heirloom vegetables, ornamentals, hardy perennials, medicinal plants, and tropicals—and offer interesting commentary, too.

www.fedcoseeds.com
Great cold-adapted organic seed from very knowledgeable people.

www.seedsavers.org
The ones who started it all. Their seed exchange is the best!

www.underwoodgardens.com
An extensive collection of endangered and heirloom seeds, garden supplies and helpful books and videos. Right here in Northern Illinois.

www.abundantlifeseeds.com
After a devastating fire in 2003, Abundant Life Seeds reemerged as a sister company to Territorial Seed Company and London Spring Farms. They currently offer only certified organically-grown seed from some of the finest organic and biodynamic seed farms in the world.

www.chileplants.com
Cross Country Nurseries is THE place to go for all sorts of peppers and tomatoes.

www.prairiemoon.com
This Minnesota company offers the best native seed in the Midwest. Very helpful folks.

Buying smarter

For those who are buying seeds through the mail for the first time, there are certain dos and don'ts that will make you a smarter shopper. Let's start with the two most common mistakes gardeners make when catalogue shopping:

Overbuying
Even the veterans are guilty of this. It's like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach or hitting the buffet line when you're starving. When it comes to gardening, even the most disciplined of us can find himself impulsive. Seed packs are pretty cheap, so, hey, what the heck, right?

Wrong! Although seeds can be stored and saved, they do lose their viability. The best germination rate occurs on seeds that are packaged for the current year.

Buying without regard to appropriate conditions
Buying seeds (or plants) simply on the merits of their beauty and without regard to the appropriate zone or conditions is a common but avoidable mistake. It's fun to experiment. But no matter how good they look in the catalog, blueberries will not prosper in non-acidic soil.

The photographs and artwork you see in catalogs are as good as it gets. These plants are grown under ideal conditions by professionals. In the garden of your mind, the seeds you plant will look just as good. But, in reality, your true garden may have poor soil, pests, diseases and possibly too much shade.

Take these issues into consideration and order seeds and plants appropriate for your growing conditions.

In order to avoid the mistake of biting off more than you can chew, do a little advance planning.

First, try to calculate how many plants you can realistically add to a given space.

Next, consider how much time you have to devote to planting and maintenance. Even if you have unlimited room, there's still work to do in planting the seeds and subsequent care. Gardening should not be a burden or chore. Keep it manageable to fit your schedule and lifestyle.

February Events

February 6 - Select the Right Shrub
This program looks at how to select a good shrub for your particular landscape. The program also features a slide show of some shrubs that are lower maintenance and which have good ornamental interest. 1-3 p.m. No fee.
Lake County Extension Office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake
847.223.8627

February 8 - WKAN Farm Expo
If you live or would like to live a rural lifestyle, this event is for you. Vendors will provide information on the issues, products and services that are important to today's rural families. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit O&E at Booth 37.
Kankakee County Fair and Exposition Building, 213 W. 4000 S. Road, Kankakee
815.935.9582

February 15 - Gardening Telenet
This session will cover the topic of the Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive species. 7-9 p.m.
Winnebago County Extension, 4311 W. State Street, Rockford
815.986.4357

February 15 - Basic Pruning Techniques
Pruning doesn't have to be difficult. Learn a few basic techniques to help tame unruly trees and shrubs. The program covers basic pruning cuts, tools and the best time to prune different types of trees and shrubs. No fee. 7-9 p.m.
Lake County Extension Office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake
847.223.8627

February 19 - Attracting Butterflies to the Garden
Learn how to design gardens to attract these "flying flowers." Information on butterflies found in Northern Illinois will also be presented. 7-8:30 p.m.
Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Avenue, Batavia
630.879.4777

February 21 - Ornamental Grasses
Learn what ornamental grasses are, how to grow them and how they can be used in the garden. A number of different grass species will be featured. No fee. 1-3 p.m.
Lake County Extension Office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake
847.223.8627

February 22 - Latin for Gardeners: Plant Names Explained
Barbara Bates, Horticulturist with the U of I Extension, will demystify botanical Latin, which gives you valuable information about a plant's bloom color and flowering time, its size and growth habit and much more. 1-3 p.m.
Randall Oaks Park, 17N350 Randall Road, West Dundee
847.223.8627

February 24 - Seed Starting Basics in your Home
Focusing on simple ways to create a mini greenhouse from commonly found items and re-usables. From seeding to watering to transplanting, this workshop will take you through easy, no-sweat steps for a healthy transplant. Instructor: Aggie Nehmzow, the Tomato Lady, grower of over 200 varieties of heirloom tomatoes in her home. 10 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is required. $15
Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago
312.742.7529 | www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

February 27 - Gardening Telenet
Spring Lawn Care; 1-3 p.m.
Winnebago County Extension Office, 4311 W. State Street, Rockford
815.986.4357

February 28 - Garden Design and Landscape Basics
Learn the principles of design that will help you create a special landscape. This presentation will cover the basics of designing with flowers as well as proper placement of trees and shrubs for the best effect. No fee. 7-9 p.m.
Lake County Extension Office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake
847.223.8627