Every strong and adaptable plant variety plays a crucial role in a resilient seed system that is essential for agriculture, the very foundation of a strong food system. The unpredictable seed-catalogue season of 2020 highlighted the importance of resilience not only for seed company employees but also for their customers. The lessons learned from the chaotic year of unprecedented sales can help pave the way for a smoother 2021 gardening season, which officially kicks off this month with the arrival of new catalogues. Sales skyrocketed by up to 300% immediately after a national emergency was declared on March 13, following the World Health Organization's pandemic declaration just two days earlier. The sudden surge in orders took many by surprise, including Joshua D’errico, marketing coordinator for Johnny’s Selected Seeds, who noted the unprecedented spike in sales compared to the company's 47-year history. "We initially believed it was just a minor issue, but it turned out to be more serious than we thought," stated Heron Breen, an R&D manager at Fedco Seeds, a company that has been serving gardeners in the Northeast since 1978. Breen mentioned that they received a warning from colleagues at other companies about the high demand for seeds. As larger companies became overwhelmed, smaller suppliers like Fedco Seeds also experienced a surge in orders. Fulfilment operations were strained, leading many suppliers to temporarily suspend sales to catch up. Requests for catalogues and online searches for growing advice also increased significantly. However, both large and small sellers have reassured home gardeners that they are well stocked, and there are no significant seed shortages beyond the usual variations that can occur in any farming year. It might seem contradictory to those who saw "out of stock" labels on many product pages last spring, but the issue was often not a lack of seed availability. According to Andrea Tursini, the chief marketing officer of High Mowing Organic Seeds, the problem was more related to a shortage of workers to pack the seeds into packets in time to meet the increased demand. This happened at the end of their usual peak season when they are not typically packing a large volume of seeds. Adding to the challenge was the need to staff up safely and adhere to pandemic guidelines, as well as dealing with employee burnout. As a result, seed companies have been working tirelessly to improve their systems, even sacrificing summer breaks to keep up with demand. Before home gardeners dive into browsing their catalogues, it is important for them to refine their shopping processes. It is recommended to study the catalogues rather than just using them for shopping purposes. Having a variety of seed catalogues, whether in print or online, can be beneficial as each catalogue has its own specialties. Reading variety descriptions can be very informative, as they highlight the diverse traits that can be found in a single crop. For example, some broccoli produces one large head, while others, like Piracicaba, do not form heads but instead grow smaller florets over time. Seed catalogs not only provide information on when and how to sow seeds, but also offer expert advice on which varieties are best suited for different conditions, such as summer heat. This knowledge can help gardeners plan and sow their crops at the appropriate times, resulting in a continuous harvest of lettuce for salads, for instance. The availability of digital resources, such as Johnny's Grower's Library, has further enhanced the educational support provided by seed companies. According to D'errico, there has been a significant increase in visits to this online resource. It is important to refrain from making impulsive purchases when it comes to seed-shopping and garden planning. Take inventory of existing seeds to avoid buying duplicates and wasting money. While it's okay to occasionally indulge in trying new things, it's crucial to understand the principles of succession planting before making any orders. Do you want to improve your personal seed security? Purchase open-pollinated varieties instead of hybrids and save their seeds for 2022. Be prepared to adjust, like a seed. Even with all the planning, companies cannot predict how many new gardeners from last season will reorder or if more will join in 2021. Despite the uncertainty, at least one aspect remained consistent from 2019 to 2020, according to D'errico. At Johnny's Selected Seeds, the top 12 crops that were preferred by home gardeners remained consistent, albeit in a slightly different ranking. Among the top four crops, including zinnias, bush beans, heirloom tomatoes, and hot peppers, the order did not change. However, both sellers and buyers should be prepared to adjust their choices. Tursini, from High Mowing Organic Seeds, recommended being flexible. For example, if the Cherry Bomb tomato is out of stock, consider trying a different variety of cherry tomato. You may discover one that you prefer even more. Furthermore, it is advisable to order seeds early without panicking, as suggested by a gardening expert quoted in the article. This sentiment is also reiterated by Breen from Fedco Seeds, who emphasizes the importance of mindful garden planning over preparing for a dystopian scenario. The companies mentioned in the article, such as Johnny's Selected Seeds and High Mowing Organic Seeds, are known for growing and breeding their own stock. Other notable farm-based companies in the Northeastern region include Hudson Valley Seed, Turtle Tree Seed, and Fruition Seeds. Prairie Road Organic Seed, based in North Dakota, is known for producing cold-adapted beans and tomatoes. The Pacific Northwest is known for its favorable climate for seed farming, leading to the establishment of several exceptional companies such as Adaptive Seeds, Siskiyou Seeds, Uprising Seeds, and Wild Garden Seed. For gardeners looking for heat-adapted seeds for Southeastern gardens or those interested in trying okra and greasy beans, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Sow True Seed are recommended. Companies catering to tough growing conditions include Redwood Seed Co. in Northern California, High Desert Seed and Gardens in high-altitude Colorado, Native Seed/SEARCH in arid Arizona, and Snake River Seed Cooperative in Idaho. Seed Savers Exchange, based in Iowa, is a national resource dedicated to preserving heirloom varieties. Some of the items in its collection were obtained from Glenn Drowns, who is associated with Sand Hill Preservation Center in Iowa. The ordering process is done through traditional mail rather than online shopping, but the variety of items available is impressive.