Sorting through a pile of beautiful, full-color seed catalogs it is difficult to make final choices about what to grow in our gardens. The illustrations are all beautiful showing the ripe veggies grown under ideal conditions, and the catalog makes it seem like a great result is a foregone conclusion. However, picking the right plant varieties is a critical element of successful gardening. Oftentimes, people choose varieties that are ill suited to our growing conditions here in the Mohawk Valley or just do not produce the amount or taste that they were looking for. With so many choices, how do you decide what will do best in your garden?
Selecting the Right Supplier
Seed catalogs reflect the values of the companies that produce them, choosing a regionally based seed supplier is one of the simplest ways to improve garden success—especially in northern climates with short growing seasons and unpredictable weather.
Seeds are living organisms shaped by the environments where they are bred and tested. Companies located in Upstate New York or New England focus on varieties that perform well in our cold temperate climate. That often means earlier maturity, better cold tolerance, and resistance to the diseases common in our region.
Regional suppliers also provide planting guidance tailored to local frost dates, soil temperatures, and day length—critical details that national catalogs can only generalize.
Beyond performance, buying regionally supports local businesses, preserves Northeast-adapted heirlooms, and strengthens our regional food system.
Although we cannot provide specific recommendations for seed companies, a simple web search will reveal those companies producing seeds for our region.
Variety Selection Using A Resource Built for New York Gardeners
The Cornell University publication, Vegetable Varieties for NY Gardeners, is a unique, crowd-sourced database and seed catalog developed for gardeners across the state that you can use to plan your garden here in Herkimer County. Unlike traditional seed catalogs that rely solely on breeder descriptions, this resource gathers performance ratings and feedback from real New York gardeners.
Participants evaluate vegetable varieties based on:
Only varieties with strong ratings and sufficient reviews are highlighted, giving gardeners confidence that these selections have performed well under conditions similar to their own here in the Mohawk Valley.
Why Local Data Matters
Our climate varies significantly—from the villages in the valley to Old Forge in the Adirondacks. A tomato variety that thrives in one region may struggle in another. By using this Cornell resource, gardeners can see how varieties perform under growing conditions in New York, including shorter seasons and variable weather patterns.
Tips for Choosing the Right Seeds
As you read through the Vegetable Varieties publication, consider the following:
1. Match Varieties to Your Growing Season
Pay close attention to “days to maturity.” In our area with short frost-free periods, earlier-maturing varieties may be more reliable. Make sure to monitor the weather in your particular location because there are often “micro-climates” that are formed by changes in topography and prevailing winds. Recording the last and first frost dates for your location each year will give you important information.
2. Prioritize Disease Resistance
Selecting varieties bred for resistance to common diseases can reduce the need for intervention and increase your chances of success. This is especially true of crops that are very important to you. For example, many people love to grow tomatoes, but the prevalence of blight diseases in our damp climate means that you should really choose resistant varieties to increase your yield.
3. Balance Yield and Flavor
Some varieties are prolific producers, while others are prized for exceptional taste. Decide what matters most for your household.
4. Consider Ease of Growing
If you are new to gardening—or trying a crop for the first time—look for varieties rated highly for ease of cultivation.
Accessing the Cornell Vegetable Varieties Database
There are two Cornell resources that can help you choose vegetable varieties:
Vegetable Varieties for NY Gardeners Catalog, a free on-line publication that can also be downloaded or printed out for your use.
Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners Interactive Database, a comprehensive collection of ratings from gardeners of thousands of different varieties of vegetables. Access it for your use and contribute your ratings to help build the knowledge base!
Need more help or information?
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County is here to help you be a successful gardener. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact us at: herkimermg@cornell.edu.
Garden Resources
Garden Based Learning: Food Gardening
Spring Gardening: Mid-Winter Blues, Counting Seeds
Article published February 19, 2026