Skip to main content

Monthly seed subscription services: How to choose the right one for you

From succulents to sweet potatoes, and peonies to peppers, growing and cultivating plants is a fulfilling pastime for many individuals. However, that green thumb doesn’t come without plenty of education and effort. It is important to learn about the preferences of the plants in your garden; the soil they flourish in, possible pest control, or the frequency with which you must water them.

Even the type of environment you live in can play a role in how successful your endeavors will be. This is why a seed subscription box may be just the thing to help you expand both your garden and your abilities. Let’s take a look at the key elements to help you decide which box may be a good fit for you.

Recommended Videos

What are the benefits to having a regular seed subscription box?

The greatest reasons to sign up for a subscription can be condensed into three words: Convenience, variety, and savings. When you’re making frequent trips to your local gardening center, you may not realize just how much time you are losing with each visit. A subscription allows you to plan ahead and customize the products you need, whether that is an assortment of seeds, tools, fertilizer, or countless other items.

seed subscription
Caron Badkin/Shutterstock

Most seed services feature items for many skill sets and plot sizes. Even if your garden consists of an apartment-friendly window box, you’ll find items of interest. Subscription boxes range in price from about $10 to $100 a month, on average, which means there’s something for every budget. When all is said and done, these services are automation at its finest.

Is there something for both new and seasoned gardeners?

The basic items every gardener needs are essentials like compost, mulch, hand tools, seeds, a hose or watering can, and perhaps gloves. A subscription box not only delivers this value but does it with a larger range of choices and price points than a typical box store. Items that cater to a more advanced skill set could be compost tools, specific kinds of shears, protective nettings, and countless others. So, whether you are trying to keep your first sprout from dying or looking to enhance your greenhouse, a seed subscription can absolutely be tailored to your needs, skill set, and preferences.

How do I pick which seed subscription to get?

You’re excited and ready to have your life made easier. But which box should you sign up for? Not to worry, there are a couple of easy criteria to help you make a selection. First, what is your price point? A great way to gauge this is to look at what you already spend, roughly, on gardening supplies each month. Take that number and decide if you’re looking to spend a little more, a little less, or about the same.

Next, take stock of your plants themselves. How large is your plot? Is it a single box, your entire side yard, or something much grander? The number of plants you care for will indicate the frequency at which you’ll need to resupply.

Michelle Lee Photography/Shutterstock

Lastly, what are your gardening goals? Are you wanting to simply maintain the supply you currently have, or would you like to grow your gardening space? It helps quite a lot to look ahead and get an understanding of how your needs may change over time. Using these three questions, you’ll have an easier time selecting an effective seed subscription box.

If you’re ready to plant yourself firmly in the world of gardening, then a monthly seed subscription box is a great way to go. Not only will you save time, money, and research, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of automated shopping each and every month. It doesn’t matter if you are a long-time enthusiast or just blossoming into a new hobby, there is a box to fit your needs. Everything from mulch, seeds, tools and more can be customized in a box that will be shipped right to your door. There is a wide range of price points to fit your budget and garden size. Not only that, but if you run with a community of green thumbs, a subscription box can supply excellent gifts, as well. The only thing you’ll need to provide is the sweat and sunshine.

Wondering how much water a plant needs? Here’s what you need to know
Tips on how much water to give your plants and when
Person watering a plant box

It's common practice for plant owners to water their plants on a schedule, doing it at the same time every day or every week. There's nothing wrong with following a plant watering schedule (there are even plant and gardening apps that help you keep track), but a set schedule may not provide the best care for certain plants. After all, plants differ widely in what they need to grow, so not all your plants will need the same amount of water at the same time. In fact, the same plant might need different amounts of water from week to week!

How much water a plant needs can vary from plant to plant and day to day. This is the first thing to keep in mind when it comes to watering your plants. Let’s go over how you can set up a watering schedule while still meeting the needs of each leafy (or spiky!) friend.

Read more
How to grow chives from seed in your garden or kitchen so that you always have fresh herbs on hand
growing chives

Wondering how to grow chives from seed? Whether you’re a foodie who prefers fresh herbs for cooking or you're an aspiring gardener who's ready to test your green thumb, chives are a great plant to start your herb garden adventure. Chives are relatively low maintenance and easy to grow. Even better: they have a versatile, light oniony taste that complements soups, dips, roasted veggies, omelets, and more. (Although it might surprise you to learn that they aren't the same thing as green onions!)

Here, we’ll teach you how to grow chives from seed outside in a garden or from the windowsill of your own kitchen.

Read more
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cardamom and how it’s used
Cardamom

Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices out there, and that’s because it’s somewhat difficult to grow and harvest. 100 grams of it can cost as much as $9, as harvesters need to collect six kilograms to produce even one kilogram to sell — not all of the pods are ripe when it’s picking time. And because the pods need to be hand-harvested and dried before being sold, the process can take time. While you probably can’t grow a sizable crop of cardamom at home, it still makes for a curious plant addition in your yard that'll pique the interest of garden enthusiasts. So what is cardamom, what is it used for, and how can you grow it? Here’s what you need to know about this versatile spice.

What is the spice cardamom used for?
Cardamom can actually be used for many different purposes. In personal care, cardamom has been used as a mouth freshener and an ingredient in fragrances. Cardamom is most known for is its culinary uses in South Asian, North African, Scandinavian, and Middle Eastern recipes. You’ll more commonly find black cardamom in savory dishes, while green cardamom can be used for savory and sweet recipes. Green cardamom can be tossed in with meats, curries, breads, puddings, and teas, while black cardamom is usually limited to the savory dishes on this list.
What flavor is cardamom spice?
The two main types of cardamom differ in flavor. As we’ve previously mentioned, black cardamom is more commonly used in savory dishes, as it has a menthol-like, smoky flavor. Green cardamom is slightly sweeter and has a bright citrus note to it. White cardamom is essentially green cardamom, except it’s been bleached, so the flavor tends to be less intense. You can get cardamom in pod, seed, or powder form — the pod form will always pack the strongest flavor when you heat it up and cook with it.
What spice is similar to cardamom?
Cardamom features a complex flavor, but you can replace it easily. More often than not, recipes will be calling for green cardamom, which can be substituted with allspice, cinnamon, or nutmeg if you happen to be in a rush. An equal mix of cinnamon and ginger will give you a flavor that’s very close to cardamom if you can’t source it down for a recipe. Instead of ginger, you can also use nutmeg or cloves for that spicy, herbal taste.
What's the difference between cinnamon and cardamom?
Cinnamon, like cardamom, packs a punch. It’s warm, it’s spicy, and it’s ever so slightly citrusy. But it’s not the same as cardamom, though they can be substituted for one another if you’re under a time crunch. Cinnamon tends to be woodier, while cardamom has a brighter flavor with more citrus and mint undertones.

Read more