Comments regarding Ferry-Morse Seed Company

I bought a packet of Ferry Morse Giants of California zinnia seeds and another packet of Dwarf Teddy Bear sunflower ones at Walmart. Germination rate was very good, the plants grew healthy and the flowers were beautiful; but I noticed that the plants took a bit longer to reach maturity than some others whose seeds I bought from other companies, namely Renee's Garden and Burpee. I thought that was peculiar. That is why I rate my experience as neutral.

Brooksville, FL; zone 9 Hot/humid

Reading all the comments in this thread has been very interesting. I would like to add my thoughts.

It is important to make sure the seeds purchased will work in your zone. Here I need “heat tolerant” seeds for veggies/tomatoes/etc. Herbs don't seem to be affected.

Any days with a temp over 86 deg is a "heat day" & we have plenty of them here. I don't buy F/M seeds for that reason but the Blue Lake Bush Beans did do well but were not in full sun all day. They got a lot of shade but it is still hot outside.

I found “heat tolerant” seeds from http://www.sustainableseedco.com
I found “heat tolerant” tomato seeds from http://www.ambersorganics.com (this may not be a good link but it would say Amber's Organics. I did a lot of research to find these seeds.

On the problem of lots of squash flowers but no fruit could very well be a pollination problem as bees are in short supply. The flowers can be hand pollinated with a Q-tip as both male/female are on the same plant. The female stem has a little bulge under the flower; male does not.

Seeds of change also sells “heat tolerant” seeds and I have a list that was given to me which I will gladly pass on to those of interest.

My email: emu392003@yahoo.com
Please put “need heat tolerant seed info from seeds of change” in the subject line so I will know what it is about & won't delete the email.

To get more bees/butterflies in your yards it is a great idea to plant flowers that attract them. Butterflies will pollinate but not to the same degree as bees. I only purchase flowers that are attractive to bees & butterflies for this reason.

I hope this information will be of a help to you all.

I have ordered in the past, not much variety to choose from.
Seeds did okay.

I have had good germination with their seeds. They have a fairly basic assortment of perennials - not the best for variety.

I recently moved and called to request a current catalog. I was told that they no longer did catalog sales to home gardeners. Too bad.