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How to choose quality seeds and avoid counterfeit: expert advice
23.11.2023 19:05
Winter is already on the doorstep, and what better time than on long winter evenings to prepare for the new summer cottage season.
The topic of choosing seeds deserves special attention, because not all gardeners grow varietal vegetables from which they can collect as many seeds for sowing as needed.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to choose high-quality seeds.
Tip one: buy seeds from the manufacturer
Buying seeds from those who produce them is already a guarantee of quality. But it is important to remember that seeds of the same variety can be worse or better depending on the year.
Tip two: always buy from one seller
It is best to go to a specialized store. There is a better chance that the seller will comply with the storage conditions.
But buying at the market, in a passageway or on the train on the way to the dacha is always a lottery.
Tip three: reviews
Study the reviews of your fellow gardeners. This way you can protect yourself when choosing new products from an unknown manufacturer.
Tip number four: trust but verify
Always check the seeds before buying. Be wary of sellers selling seeds in unheated and damp premises. If the bags are damp, it is better to refuse to buy.
Quality seeds should move freely around the bag and not lie stuck together.
Tip 5: Packaging
The packaging must clearly show the manufacturer's data. All information about the variety or hybrid must also be indicated.
The next important point is the batch number and harvest date when the seeds were received.
Next, the seller must indicate the expiration date and packaging date, as well as the weight of the contents, TU, GOST or OST.
