Pilgrimhere
I don't know about the quality of the seed from Patriot supply but looking at their website and the list of seed, I can tell you that some of it will only grow well up north, not in Texas. Below is my experience and opinion:
Blue Lake Bush Bean – OK in TX
California Wonder Bell Pepper – Doesn't do well in TX. Plant Jalapeno, Serrano, TAM Jalapeno are milder, Banana peppers.
Marketmore Cucumber – Does well in TX. I prefer Straight Eight. Also Poinsett 76.
Scarlet Nantes Carrot – I haven't had success with carrots.
Parris Island Cos Romaine Lettuce – OK in late winter, leaf lettuce better. Keep rabbits out.
Golden Acre Cabbage – heading cabbage is for the north. TX grow collards, kale, Pak Choe in winter.
Detroit Dark Red Beet – I don't like beets so don't know
Lincoln Shell Sweet Pea – Plant in mid winter and keep the rabbits out.
Lucullus Swiss Chard - Does well in TX. Also Fordhook Giant
Beefsteak Tomato - Doesn't do well in TX. Stick with cherry and paste tomatoes such as large red cherry, Roma, San Marzano (the best), keep the birds out and cage them.
Champion Radish - Does well in TX. Easiest thing in the world to grow besides weeds.
Green Sprouting Broccoli - Doesn't do well in TX. I have successfully grown it but you will get more food for the space growing kale.
Waltham Butternut Winter Squash - Doesn't do well in TX
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach - Does well in TX. Keep the rabbits out.
Yellow Sweet Spanish Onion – Plant Texas 1015 onions on October 15 (hence the name)
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn – I haven't had luck. Takes a lot of space. Will do well in the Midwest.
Hales Best Cantaloupe - Does well in TX if you can keep rats, mice and other varmints out of it.
Snowball Cauliflower – Never tried to grow.
Black Beauty Zucchini - Does well in TX. Grey Zucchini is better in my opinion.
Crimson Sweet Watermelon - Does well in TX if you can keep rats, mice and other varmints out of it.
I buy seed here: Only get open pollinated seed.
http://www.willhiteseed.com/If you don't have good soil then even good seed will not grow. I love Yah's agricultural metaphors.
I you are blessed with sandy loam or loam soil then you are set, but if you have hard clay or sand (most of TX) then you will have to add a LOT of compost and manure. West Texas has the additional problems of alkaline soil (most plants prefer slightly acidic soil) and lack of rain. If you just have white rock or calichi then forget about gardening.
Other gardening advice:
If you have space, plant perennials such as asparagus, onion chives, garlic chives, and herbs like rosemary, oregano, basil, and cilantro. Plant once and harvest for a long time if you keep the weeds out.
Don't buy the Ricky-dink tomato cages they have at Home Depot (those are OK for peppers). Make your own tomato cages from concrete reinforcing mesh. See article below.
http://www.motherearthne...-01/Using-Wire-Mesh.aspxHope that this helped.
Shalom