Comments regarding Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens)

Posted on February 27, 2015, updated February 28, 2015
I can't comment on the quality of the seeds or plants yet, but the communication and shipping is terrible. I placed my first order over a month ago and when I still have not received the product or even an email about it's status I call to find out one of the items is on back order. This is funny because it showed as available when I ordered it and was still showing as available at this time. Since I did not want to waste more growing time I cancel the order and make a new order for varieties I was to confirm are available. So the expected ship date is 3 days later, not sure why it would take that long, but OK. Now we are 3 days past that expected ship and still nothing on it's way and no communication on the status. The expected ship date still says 3 days ago! Even at the dawn of the Internet I don't think I've experienced such a poor shipping and communication process.

"On Mar 3, 2015 10:51 AM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help. We at Park Seed would like to make your experience better. I would like to review your account so that I may bring a better resolution to your issue.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com

Posted on March 21, 2013, updated February 13, 2015
Posted on February 23, 2011, updated March 21, 2013
I don't understand why there are so many negatives on Park Seed. I have been ordering from them for years (literally for the past thirty years!), and have never had a complaint about service, speed, or quality. Everything I've ordered from them has germinated and grown beyond expectations, and never have I received a 'bum order' with seeds that didn't germinate or perform as described. I recently placed my annual spring seed order with them, and the entire order was filled and shipped to me within a week. No substitutions, no backorders. While, in the past, there have been occasions where my order was separated into several shipments with backorders (I'll add that there was never an extra shipping charge), this was not the case this year. Overall, dealing with Park Seed has always been a pleasurable and reliable experience, their products have proven to be of quality, and I'll continue to shop with them in the future.

Since they cater to Southern growers and I garden in Zone 4, I usually order just specialty seeds from Park: fun things I can't find elsewhere. I have followed them for years, watching the Park family squabble over their inheritance, not caring that their business was the livelihood for hundreds, if not thousands of families. Where others have turned their companies over to the employees, giving them a stake in their workplace and thus a reason to care (think King Arthur Flour; Johnnies Selected Seeds), they preferred to run their company into the ground, not even updating an antiquated and less than "transparent" bookkeeping system.

Some employees have continued to care, in spite of this. A local lawyer named Donald Coggins put together a package in 2010 able to buy out in turn the bankruptcy package. We will have to wait and see the results, long term. I do see renewed pride in the catalog that arrived in yesterday's mail: not at all the same old thing. I'm happy to see that my rare Sempervivum tectorum seeds are still there: they truly have been a fancy mix, not just your grandmother's plain green plants.

I have always gotten prompt service with my orders and their seeds have always been of the freshest, often sprouting even better than advertised. My e-mails have been answered promptly and knowledgeably. I believe we will do well to support this company, giving them time to re-organize and do justice to the tradition of plant breeding that in the past was at least as good as Burpee, their foremost competitor.

I placed an online order with Park Seed this spring (2014) - my first time ordering from this company and I was very pleased with their packaging, fast shipping and seed quality. Excellent germination on all seeds and prolific producers in the garden. Later, I received an email promotion "Free shipping on all seeds, 1 day only, no minimum order required," so I ordered several more packages of seeds I'd been wanting to grow. They arrived in 3 days and again, I got excellent germination from all of the seed except for one variety which was a cool weather vegetable I didn't expect to grow with summer coming on. I replanted those seeds in late August when the temperatures started cooling down and they're producing a nice harvest now in October.

My mother purchased some Jersey asparagus roots for me from Park Seeds and I have been very happy with them. They arrived fresh and are doing well in my garden to date. Looking forward to spring next year!

I am surprised to read the number of negative comments. I purchase seeds from a lot of companies, and I have purchased from Parks for over 30 years without EVER having a problem. Same goes for Wayside. I also have positive experiences with Johnny's, Territorial, Burpee, Jung, Sheepers, Thompson and Morgan, and Totally Tomatoes.

Actually, I did have a problem with Park once. Their catalogue noted that a seed packet I was ordering was in short supply. They suggested calling before ordering (pre internet), and I didn't. The seeds were sold out, and a refund came in a separate envelope from the seeds.

"On Sep 29, 2014 10:12 AM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We appreciate you taking the time to let us know how pleased you are with your orders and services received. Thank you! Your opinion is valued and we, of course, welcome feedback. It's customers like you who act as a reminder of why we do what we do and the importance of supplying only top quality products as well as to offer the best service possible. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts!


Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com

"

A big mistake to do business with these jokers. Seed quantity is pathetic and so is the germination rate across 7 different species.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:49 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.


Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

I would not say I am their big customer , just a little one, order 6 flower seeds and 1 spinach seeds packets. The delivery took 1 week and came well packaged but the seeds packets had instructions which was hard to read. Most of the seeds germinated well but did not transplant well. So I ended up loosing most of my time and effort :( . Lobelia is pretty easy to grow and was directly sown but never came up whereas last year's seeds from another company did very well under the same conditions. Same with Heuchera, did not germinate,the packet says 25 seeds but I don't think they were 25(the seeds were pelleted). I am disappointed. I wrote to them about the issue but did not get even courtesy reply. I would not go back again to them!

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:48 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

This was my first time ordering from them. I received my order within a few days and was pleased with the promptness of service. I am certified as a master gardener and never have problems direct sowing seeds into our fertile soil. Entire packages of seed failed to yield a single germinated seedling. Marigolds? They are easier to grow than weeds, and yet mine did nothing. Osmin basil? The same problem. Zero germination. Packages of zinnias fared somewhat better, with 50-60% successful germination. Since we are Zone 5, the window for direct sowing seeds is tight. The failure to have seeds germinate has left us with many empty spots that had to be re-sowed with store-purchased seeds and our own stock of saved seeds. These were used to replant with 95% success. So it was the Park seeds, not the soil, elements or pathogens that were the culprit. Too bad, as they have an excellent selection. But I will never order from them again.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:46 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.


Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

Posted on November 11, 2013, updated June 19, 2014
Posted on June 28, 2013, updated November 11, 2013
I'm not sure what to rate...

I mean, i had a good experience a year back, got good seeds and germination. but reading the comments,it seems that they have really been slipping. so, i'm gonna stick with neutral. i thought about ordering again, but now, not sure.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:45 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

I ordered plant hoops and they arrived in a timely manner. I have used these for years and am happy with the hoops and their longevity.

However, I stopped ordering seeds from them decades ago. Very stingy with the number of seeds and poor germination. I would not even consider ordering live plants from them or any of the affiliated companies based on previous experience.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:44 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

Do NOT order from this company or from Wayside Gardens. If you want to waste your money just go out into the backyard and burn it - less time consuming and less stress. Ordered some lantanas from Park Seed. They came in - get this - a big loose envelope mailer with absolutely no packing material to protect the plants. I've been mail ordering plants a long while and have never received plants like this - bulbs perhaps but plants? Needless to say all but one croaked. Stupid me, I thought this was a fluke and instead of calling them up and pitching a fit - I came back for more. This time I ordered 8 plants. I really wanted this specific lantana and couldn't find it anywhere else. As is the norm - it took about 3 weeks for them to ship the plants out and when the box arrived - I popped it open to see that once again the plants had not been secured or protected in any way. They'd just been beating around in the box. Nothing was left but little stems. Now understand that this year alone I've ordered probably thousands of dollars in plants. Recently bought an old fixer upper and the yard is a gut job. So, starting from scratch with plantings. I've gotten scores of plants that were healthy and had been carefully packed. Of all of them - I had one plant that had been broken (type of plant with a very fragile stem) I called up the company and they apologized profusely and sent out a replacement plant that day. Stupid me I thought I'd get the same customer service from Park Seed. Not even. Could not have cared less. Told me that I had to take pics of the plants and email them with an explanation to their "horticulturists" at Plant Doctor (aka expect no reply) dot com. Days pass and I call again. Told that it might take days for these supposed horticulturists to review my pics. Call again and instead of asking for customer service I went straight to the horticulturist. This guy was actually helpful, marked my account for a refund and then directs me back to customer service. Again, could their customer service be any worse? This woman tries to give me a store credit (no way will I ever shop with them again) AND she tries to - get this - NOT refund me for the shipping and handling! Yep, she tells me, okay, you'll be getting a store credit for x amount. I ask why the difference of the amount vice what I paid? She says I won't be refunding for S&H. I flip a nut at this point. Explain that there is NO way I will pay for S&H for plants that were dead on arrival BECAUSE of their improper packing! We go back and forth and finally she snippily states that I'll be given refund for the full amount but that will take 5-10 days. We shall see. In the mean time I had an equally bad experince with Wayside which - go figure - are aligned with Park Seed. Paid a small fortune for 2 clematis that I could have bought from Brushwood for half the price. But these were supposedly 2 quart plants. The pots were 2 quart but the plants themselves were minuscule, wilted, and beaten up from shipping. I compared them to some clematis I got in from Brushwood that were 1 quart plants yet 3 times the size of the Wayside clematis, vigorous, and healthy. Again, had to do the same thing with Wayside - send pics to their "horticulturist" for review. I did get a response back saying that the plants in question were beautiful and healthy and had no issues. I will never ever spend a single dime with either of these companies, nor with any of the companies affiliated with them such as Jackson and Perkins. Shoddy service all around. Ridiculously undersized plants, horrible packing and shipping and the customer service is the worst I've ever seen. Their guarantee is a joke. The only bright light is that these weren't massive orders where I lost hundreds of dollars. The bottom line is - I can not say enough bad things about either one of these companies.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:42 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

I'm not surprised with all the negative reviews, if I had wrote a review back in January/February it would have been neutral. But just recently, I placed an order for 3 quart sized plants on April 14th, they shipped on April 19th and I received them on April 21st. They were still alive and thriving and I planted them and they seem to be doing well. They arrived in a box surrounded in styrofoam peanuts. And I only took a chance ordering here because I hadn't found those particular plants elsewhere.

We made a large order of vegetable and flower seeds from Park this spring. Sure, the packets are all foil-lined and look fancy, but I won't ever order again. Most packets had very poor germination, and the number of seeds per packet was incredibly skimpy. I ended up replanting with seeds I had leftover from another company. The old seeds did far better than the seeds from Park.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:38 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

Wow, these guys suck. Bad shipping, bad arrival quality, horrible customer service. Never again from Park Seed for my money.

I ordered 75 strawberries from them. They shipped them regular UPS from the east coast to the west coast and the poor berries had black rot all over them by the time they spent 10 days in a ups trailer. Other places I have ordered have always sent the berries via 3 day mail so I was very surprised by the slow shipping.

I cleaned up the berries and it looked like most would make it but after potting them into one gallon pots, I noticed I had a lot of pots left over. So, I counted my berries...51....really 51 instead of the 75 that I paid for. Please make sure if you order from these guys you count your items carefully.

So I sent an email to them explaining the concern. They asked me send pictures of the berries for the hort guy to review. Hmmm....how do I send pictures of berries I didn't receive? Should I send a pic of a pile of dirt?

It's not worth my time to fight with them. Suffice it to say I will never from theses guys again. Bad shipping, bad arrival quality, poor service.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:36 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

The seed that I've ordered from Park's has been true to type with good germination rates. My main issue with them is that to ship 5 packets of seed ($12) from S.C. to V.A, they charged $7!! However, like J.C. Penny's, they offer sales constantly, so just wait for a free shipping offer (which they've had one this season already) to order, or be prepared to pay outrageous shipping charges.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:35 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We sorry to hear you are dissatisfied with our shipping charges. We would like to hear about your situation. Would you please provide us with your name, address, order # , and phone number and we will gladly work with you toward some sort of resolution in this situation.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com
"

Attempted seed order today of 12 packets = $27.36. Park applied shipping cost of $28.95. Outrageous! Is this how they make their profit? Good thing I checked the shipping charges before I hit the order button. Any company who thinks its ok to charge shipping fees like that will not get my business. Be careful that it doesn't happen to you.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:34 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

Have ordered from them for YEARS. Unfortunately, they are not the same top notch company they used to be. Bankruptcy and new owners has resulted in quite a few changes in not only the catalogue, but also prices and service.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:32 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We sorry to hear you are dissatisfied with our service. We would like to hear about your situation. Would you please provide us with your name, address, order # , and phone number and we will gladly work with you toward some sort of resolution in this situation.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

PARK ADVERTISES SEED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE!!
Placed a seed order with them on January 8th. Today is February 19th, and i STILL have not received all my seed.
I was calling once a week, and was told that the balance of my order would ship within a week every time.
Now they're telling me that the seed is "backordered" and they don't know when it might be available. They will not substitute a comparable variety.
Just looked back on their website - they are still offering these seeds for sale without mentioning that they don't have any.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:31 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.


Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

I've ordered from Park three or four times in late 2013 to 2014 and have gotten my products promptly, well-packed, and with no problems. This has included seeds and the Bio-Domes and their sponges. I haven't ordered any live plants (and probably won't, after reading the other comments). The seeds that I've started in the Bio-Domes have germinated very promptly. Based on other commenters' experiences, I'm a bit worried about how well they will transplant and whether the sponges will break down in the soil, but the initial results have looked good. Some fairly robust seedlings (Tithonia, Abutilon, and Asclepias) seem to be able to send roots down through the sponges and flourish.

Posted on January 16, 2014, updated February 6, 2014
I placed a $53.83 online order for seeds with Park Seed on Jan. 13, 2014 using a visa debit card that had only been activated that day and had not been used for any other purchases or transactions. On Jan 14 $53.83 was withdrawn from my account by '-JACKSON*PERKIN' (the name of their partner company). On Jan. 16th I called Parks to see if the order had been shipped and was told that a few of the varieties were on backorder and that the reduced amount would be withdrawn from my account shortly. When I questioned the payment that had already been withdrawn both the customer service rep and the billing dept both insisted that the withdrawal was not theirs because it did not say J P Parkseed Wayside. They coldly and repeatedly suggested that this was an unauthorized transaction that had nothing to do with them. They seemed surprisingly unmoved that the breach had to have occurred on their end given that this was a new card and the name on the transaction was that of their partner company. When I asked that they cancel my order immediately until I cleared this up they refused, stating that it was already in the process of being packaged and my account would be debited upon completion. I promptly hung up, called my bank to report the fraudulent transaction, and cancelled the card. I will not be dealing with this company again. The lack of concern over the 'security breach' and their insistence on processing this order under these conditions has left me questioning their integrity if not their honesty. What reputable company wouldn't be alarmed on discovering that their online site had been highjacked? And why the unwillingness to cancel my outstanding order? Buyer beware!

I have ordered from Park Seed for many years. However, this year I'm not the most satisfied customer. I tend to order early since some things I have to begin in January/February. So as soon as I was able I placed my order (Dec 26). Because of the size of the order I was able to get a $10 discount. However, a week and half later they finally sent out their catalog - with my original order (and no discount) I would have been able to have received free shipping which was greater than the discount. Because they had already shipped part of the order they were unable to make any adjustment (according to customer service). I hate to be picky but this is not what I consider good customer service and will be minimizing future orders with them. I guess the early bird doesn't exactly get the worm.

"On Aug 26, 2014 2:24 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We have reviewed your posting on Dave's Garden Watchdog website. We want to resolve the problem but are unable to locate your order with the partial email address provided by the site. Please forward your order number or complete billing address (including zip code), and any other pertinent information to assist you. We want to help.

Angela D
Park Seed Sale Associate
adavenport@parkseed.com"

Posted on September 26, 2013, updated September 30, 2013
Posted on September 26, 2013, updated September 26, 2013
Last spring I ordered a number of items. Most were good, but I received two of three live plants in bad condition. A Muscadine Grape arrived dead (not dormant). It was not properly packed. They issued me a credit refund. A few weeks later a female died. It had arrived losely packed with no roots. It was simply a stick. They gave me a merchandise credit. This summer the male Kiwi died. Ap;parently, they are not appropriate for Zone 9, although Park's catalog stated they were. I received no credit because it was past 90 days. They agreed to send me an $18.95 credit card refund. That was 30 days ago. They promised again to refund in 3 to 5 days. No refund. Now, they don't answer emails. I have done business with them for 30 years. No more. Poorly packed merchandise at inflated prices. Lowes had better quality at 30 % of Park's price, and they guarantee for one year.

At the end of April I ordered a Davidia involucrata Sonoma tree for $80. I received a crooked 20 inch stick with a growth tip that fell off within days of arrival. No response to e-mail, so I let it try to grow for a few more weeks. It did get a new growth tip and now has sat without any leaves or growth for most of the summer - their response to my complaint by 'phone is: "We don't guarantee spring items after 90 days." That includes crooked sticks they pass off as trees.

Hello everyone. I wished I read all the negative reviews before ordering. I have just ordered today, August 7th, 5 packages of 100 seeds each, of Munstead Lavender. I really hope I will get them in a short time and that there will have the exact number of seeds in each package. I also hope I will get Munstead lavender, not something else. Wish me luck!

"On Aug 26, 2014 1:51 PM, Park Seed Company (aka Park's Gardens) responded with:

We would like to assist in bringing a solution to your concerns. Please email us with your name, address, and order number so that we may help you with this situation.

Angela D
Park Seed Sales Associate"

Posted on June 20, 2013, updated July 28, 2013
This year I ordered several varities of seeds from Parkseed
I had about 15% germination on 1st bunch...called Parkseed and they sent another round of the seeds...I am stilll waiting for something green to stick it little green head up....

Placed order on March 25th by phone for Celebrity Pink Morn petunia along with other seeds. On May 30th first blooms opened which were not Celebrity Pink Morn but another variety which I determined to be Ultra Crimson. Sent email to Park regarding situation. Received email that I would receive a reply within 48 hours. On June 4th sent another email that it had been more than 48 hours and I had not received a reply. On June 5th received reply that they needed more information and asking for order number (order number was included in the subject line of each email sent including their email to me). Replied stating that the order number was in the subject line and tha it had been a phone order, gave catalog number and mailing address. The seeds were inexpensive but I would have liked an acknowledgment that they were sorry for the mixup at the least. Have not heard anything else from them. They are off my list of companies from which to order in the future.

Posted on May 29, 2012, updated June 14, 2013
I always thought highly of Park Seeds from reading past reviews, unfortunately I did not read recent reviews. I noticed that they charged 2 different amounts on my credit card (my e-mail said 12.55, they charged 12.56 and 12.59). It's been on there for several days and normally if a refund is pending it will say that, but it's still not. I wish they would have communicated the error but when I called customer service, I was told that it could be a temporary charge the credit card company does and that 12.59 is my actual charge...I was going to place a second order but stopped when I saw that on my bank statement and no communication (except for when I called). I'll keep this neutral until I actually receive my order.

It breaks my heart to have to post this negative review of Park's Seed. I have ordered from them for years and was very pleased with their service and products. In 2012, I got my seeds promptly but my plants came a little too late. I had a feeling that their financial problems might be catching up to them. I decided to give them one more try in 2013 and it has been a disaster. Only 2 of the the 12 plants that I ordered were delivered. The rest of them were cancelled with no notification that they could not ship the other 10 plants. Customer Service did manage to reach me because the bank had changed my credit card number a few days before Parks tried to process the order but it no mention was ever made about not being able to fill 90% of the order. I was only charged for what was delivered so it could be worse. I feel terrible for their employees who are stuck working for a once proud company going down hill very, very quickly. The poor gals in customer service are still very polite and spend most of their day apologizing. What a sad situation.

I ordered some seeds from Park Seed as they offered some things that I had never seen sold locally. I ordered a pack of Astra Double Mix Balloon Flower Seeds (supposed to have double blooms). When they bloomed, they were not Astra Double Mix Balloon Flowers, they were single flowers and much more common variety than advertised. I emailed them to inform them that the seeds they sold me did not produce they flowers they advertised. It has been over a week and I have not heard back. They appear to just ignore emails that aren't about shipping.

I also contacted them when half of my order was not received. They just kept telling me 'it was shipped today' no matter when I asked. And this was weeks after the site said that the whole order was shipped. The seeds did eventually arrive, but the customer service was useless and did nothing but lie to me.

So, considering I have dealt with: poor customer service, lies, being simply ignored, as well as being sold the wrong product in the right packaging, I am very unimpressed with this company. It seems like they are trying to scam people into buying common seeds by saying they are a rare variety. I can't see me ordering from them again. I will try to stick to local shops for my seed and plant requirements in the future.

Posted on March 5, 2013, updated June 6, 2013
I ordered their "whopper" biodome seed starting kit. Shortly after receipt, I opened the styrofoam block with "biosponges" (soil plugs). There was a strong smell of mold and it was covered with white, hairy mold, on the top and along the sides of the plugs. I emailed the company immediately asking for advice. I heard nothing. A week later I emailed again, stating it was my second request. Again, I heard nothing. I realized the company wasn't being forthright, when I entered a negative review on the product webpage, but it never got posted. There were only two reviews on the product page (each was 5 [out of 5] stars); mine was a 2 star review stating (in a straight-forward, not inflammatory manner) that the "biosponges" I received were moldy and I didn't want to risk my seeds, time, and grow light space by placing my seeds in moldy media. That review never appeared on their website, so they apparently filter negative reviews. And, again, I never heard from a company representative, even though an email is required to post a review.

Posted on August 31, 2004, updated May 31, 2013
I have ordered from Park's for years with great success. I have spent thousands of dollars with them over the past 30 years and for good reason. I've never received a dead plant, a moldy bulb, seeds that didn't germinate, or anything that was unacceptable. They also have some unusual varieties I can't find anywhere else.

I also love their sales, sometimes at 75% off. Make sure you sign up for their emails and you'll get the sale notices. This is where you can save a LOT of money.

I have read a few negatives about Park's on here and I'm very surprised by them. I've had exactly one problem. When a bottle of fertilizer arrived, it had leaked and was almost empty. It was replaced immediately. I am very impressed with their quality, selection, and service. Plus they don't rip you off on postage. Now that's a big deal.

Many of the seed I purchased this year failed to germinate. Some of the packets had none that I saw. I was suprised, I thought Park was one of the best.

Yesterday evening I emailed this company asking about an order I had not yet received. First thing this morning I received a very polite and helpful response from a member of their customer contact team. She was very apologetic and explained that my plants were being shipped from their Michigan facility in a few days. She said that if the plants arrived too late for me, they would gladly issue a full refund for the items. With that kind of customer support, I'll certainly continue to order from Park Seed Company in the future.

Posted on February 11, 2013, updated April 30, 2013
Posted on January 10, 2013, updated February 11, 2013
Posted on March 31, 2006, updated January 10, 2013
I have ordered from Parks several times this year and will continue to do so. I ordered bareroot roses and was amazed at the care taken in packaging. I was concerned about keeping them a while before planting so I emailed, and got a prompt, professional response -- and the advice turned out to be 100% correct. They may as well go ahead and put me on the top of the loyal customer list.

I placed an order with Park seed on March 30th 2013.Three packs of seed ..Simple.. postage was high BUT I wanted these seeds..They arrived on April 29th.. Sorta late for planting indoors in Ga.When I called the company after 2 weeks had past ,they said oh gosh those are on back order .. I asked why they could email me with all their promotions but not able to send email with the back order info .?? well sorry she said but they would ship part of the order now and the back order later .. well that didn't happen either.. then praise the garden gods the order shipped and i could follow it with a tracking # yada yada !!Took 5 days to ship usps via ups from S.C. to Ga. I will never order anything from Park again and will tell all I can of their poor customer service and shipping. Go sit in some manure Park, if its not on back order!

I only ordered two varieties from Park seed company. Purple Hyacinth bean and Imperial Star artichoke. The Purple Hyacinth bean took a few tries (over 2 years) to germinate. The Imperial Star artichokes never germinated, no matter what I did. I used the exact same techniques that I had used to germinate plenty of globe artichokes in the past to no avail.

One order was enough for me. Park Seed may have been around for a while, but if Park has what you want you may try another seed company first. No package of seed worth the price you pay for it if it none of the seeds germinate.

I ordered luffa,moon and stars watermelon,peanuts and sweet potatoes. They sent the first three items and back ordered the sweet potato slips. One watermelon sprouted, 3 luffa sprouted and so far no peanuts. I have still not received my sweet potato slips. Bad co avoid. It is too much work to put a garden in and plant bad seed.

I ordered geranium seeds from Parks. 100% germination in pots by a wood stove in January 2012. The Red is spectacular...vibrant...blooming by March 2012. It was cold at night after the fire went out but the little plants made it fine. The plants are compact and have bloomed continuously..I never thought I could grow geraniums but with these treated seeds..it is easier than tomatoes