PlowBox is a gardening subscription that sends you certified organic, non-GMO seeds from Seattle Seed Co., specific to your region’s climate.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
This review is of the PlowBox Classic, $45 a quarter, box. The climate we chose was Mild.
About PlowBox
The Subscription Box: PlowBox
The Cost: $45 a quarter for PlowBox Classic or $14.95 a month for PlowBox Green. Save with longer pre-paid subscriptions.
COUPON: Use code TRYPLOWBOX to save 20% off your first PlowBox Classic box!
The Products: 5-10 packs of certified organic, non-GMO seeds, planting instructions, and other products related to gardening and/or a healthy lifestyle.
Ships to: The US for free and Canada for $25
PlowBox Summer 2018 Review
This is my first summer PlowBox—exciting times! While it's not the first time they've sent me a mix of vegetable seeds, herb seeds, and flower seeds, I've never before seen them divided up like how they were this time around. I love the color coding—it helped me organize my brain as I planned where each grouping of seeds will be planted.
Before I jump into what I actually got, I'll point out as I always do that PlowBox includes a pamphlet with notes about each packet of seeds in the box. I recommend using the info provided in this tri-fold to get acquainted with the seeds they've provided and then doing additional research about each one online.
Lemon Cucumber Seeds, 1g —Retail Value $3.25
Sugar Pie Pumpkin Seeds, 2g —Retail Value $3.25
Butternut Squash Seeds, 1g — Retail Value $3.25
Okay, so first is our three vegetable varieties. For as long as I've been attempting to grow herbs and veggies, I still look for beginner seeds because the seasons are a little unpredictable where I live and I also don't have a ton of time to dedicate to this hobby. Turns out all 3 vegetables sent in my summer box are for beginners, which is awesome. We think of pumpkins and squash as fall vegetables, but for butternut squash, for example, you can expect about 110-120 days for fruit maturation, so these babies need time to do their thing. It's good to get them started in the summer. I still have some pea, pepper, and tomato plants that I started from my Spring PlowBox seeds I received from seeds working their way to maturity, so I might wait until a little later in the summer to start my pumpkins and squash.
Dark Green Italian Parsley Seeds, .20g — Retail Value $3.25
Common Sorrel Seeds, .30g — Retail Value $3.25
Broadleaf Sage Seeds, .70g — Retail Value $3.25
The herbs that were sent my way are beginner and intermediates. I have lots of experience growing herbs—though none of these specifically—so I have hope that I'll be able to bring them to life and enjoy them in summer recipes!
Sea Shells Mix Cosmos Flower Seeds, .10g — Retail Value $3.25
Mammoth Russian Sunflower Seeds, 2g — Retail Value $3.25
Jasmine-Scented Nicotania Seeds, .03g — Retail Value $3.25
My last bundle is of flowers—sunflowers and two varieties that I've never heard of. Exciting! My husband and I only moved into our house about a year ago, so we're still getting the hang of where the best spots are for certain plants. Each of these 3 seed types have different needs, so I'll have to do some additional sun pattern inspecting around our house before putting them in the ground.
This month's recipe is for mint simple syrup and a champagne mojito cocktail to use it in. I'm not much of a cocktail maker, but this sounds so summery and refreshing that I might just have to give it a go!
Floral Greeting Card — Buy a set of 4 for $12
Each quarter's PlowBox comes with a card for re-gifting, which appeals to the stationery fanatic in me greatly! This card features colorful purslane flowers and is blank inside. The envelope arrived a bit dirty, but that doesn't bother me much...it did come out of a gardening box, after all!
Mason Jar Floral Frog — Estimated Value $10 (Found similar here for $11)
I was so tickled to receive this awesome floral arrangement tool! I knew exactly what it was when it arrived because a friend recently found some vintage ones that she's been experimenting with. I don't think this one is vintage—perhaps just treated to look like it—because of how light it is and how it twists on as a mason jar lid. So clever! I had just bought a tiny bouquet of flowers on the day my PlowBox arrived, so in they went!
Floralife Crystal Clear Flower Food — Buy 20 for $9.99
I'm not sure if this flower food packet is intended to be used with the cut flowers that will later grow from the seeds that arrived in the summer PlowBox, but I put it to use right away with the flowers I had bought earlier that day. It truly is clear and seems to be keeping my flowers looking lively effectively.
Floral Ice Cube Kit — Estimated Value $10
This is such a cute concept! This packet of dried flowers is intended to be used to make floral ice cubes. I've never tried this before but always wanted to. The packet smells like a floral-flavored loose leaf tea, which I'm sure it can also be used as, but I'm going to take the opportunity to make the cubes.
Blu Blanc White Tea — Buy 43g for $13.99
Speaking of loose leaf tea, I also received some of that in my box! If you look closely at the leaves, you can see little pops of blue throughout, which add such enticing color to this blend. I think I'll make mine into iced tea. It doesn't say on the package how many grams come in this pouch, but it seems to be a small sample version of what's sold on the PlowBox site.
Update from last quarter: For those following along, here is an update on my Spring PlowBox. I waited about a week for my frosty soil to defrost, then planted my seeds as planned. Since the cold weather lingered and there wasn't much sunshine coming through my window, I positioned a lamp over my seed containers and made sure they got plenty of light that way. The tomatoes, peas, and peppers did the best, and once it got warm, I transported the little starter pots out to my back patio. I think I may have done that a bit early because there was a night or two that was surprisingly chilly and the tomatoes & peppers didn't make it through. The peas, however, persevered! I left the tomato & pepper pots in their spot (out of laziness), and much to my surprise, once it got consistently warm, they made a comeback. Now I have some baby pepper and tomato plants waiting to be placed in my garden bed alongside my peas!
Verdict: I'm grateful for the variety in this month's PlowBox because it gives me the opportunity to try different types of gardening, and because it maximizes my chances of getting it right with some of the veggies, herbs, and flowers! This box costs $45 with free shipping for US customers, and the items added up to an estimated $55, but that's not accounting for the added value of the gardening information and recipe. This is a great value for high-quality, organic seeds and gardening-themed add ones.
To Wrap Up:
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? PlowBox is a quarterly box, so you will receive a box every 3 months from the time you sign up.
Coupon - Use code TRYPLOWBOX to save 20% off your first PlowBox Classic box!
Value Breakdown: This box costs $45 with free shipping. I received a total of 14 products this month with is an average of $3.21 per item.
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What are your thoughts on the Summer 2018 PlowBox offerings?
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