PlowBox Subscription Review + Coupon – Fall 2017

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.

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

Check out the Eco Subscription Box Directory and make sure to add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

As soon as I opened the box, a waft of the most beautiful lavender scent filled the air. I swear my eyes sparkled. It was amazing! Laying neatly on top of the contents was a clear, frosted envelope displaying the box’s season. The tidy first impression made the box feel packaged with care.

Included in the envelope are a recipe and some notes about caring for each of the seeds in your box.

The recipe is for Parmesan Crusted Broccoli. Yum! Here’s hoping my broccoli grows well so I can put this recipe to use with my own harvest!

This folded sheet of paper helpfully grades the difficulty level for growing each type of vegetable (Beginner, Intermediate, or Difficult). Only Beginner and Intermediate seeds are included in this box, which is a relief for me, as I’ve only ever grown herbs before. It also includes notes regarding how hardy each plant is and how much light and water each need. I definitely feel as though the folks at Seattle Seed Co. have put care into ensuring subscribers feel prepared going into planting their seeds!

“Because” Blank Greeting Card - Value $6.00? (Buy a similar card on Seattle Seed Co.’s site)

I’m loving this fun card! I often send snail mail to my friends who live in other states, so this “just because” card will certainly be put to good use.

Reusable Cotton Produce Bag - Value $12.95

This cotton muslin produce bag was designed and printed in the USA and is exclusive to Seattle Seed Co. It’s awesome quality! I have been working to reduce the amount of plastic I use in my day-to-day, so this is of great value to me.

It’s similar to a reusable grocery bag, but it has drawstrings. This will provide a welcome change from my current practice of tossing produce loose in the same bag with all my other groceries.

I thought I’d fill this bag up with some of the produce I have in my house to see how much it can fit. Here, it’s holding 2 yellow onions, 2 avocados, a lemon, and a lime, and there’s still space for more.

Lavender Water - Value $7.95

Aha, so this is what sent that blissful scent through the room! This bottle of lavender water holds 4 fl. oz. of pure distilled water, oil of lavandula angustifolia, and a little witch hazel (this info isn’t printed on the bottle, but it’s on Seattle Seed Co.’s website).

It’s marketed as being a hydrating face and pillow mist. Fittingly, the scent is subtle, but noticeable. I’m all about it!

Buttercrunch Lettuce Seeds - Value $3.25

Kale Seeds - Value $3.25

Arugula Seeds - Value $3.25

Spinach Seeds - Value $3.25

Carrot Seeds - Value $3.25

Broccoli Seeds - Value $3.25

Basil Seeds - Value $3.25

I’m really excited about this season’s seeds. Looks like I’ll be enjoying lots of homegrown salads soon!

On the back of each seed packet is information about the vegetable at hand and planting directions including where and when to plant, how to plant, how to thin or transplant, and “remarks,” which are just extra notes. This struck me as odd: every single packet advises to plant the seeds in the Spring. Seeing that these seeds arrived in August for me, I’m worried that I won’t end up having enough summertime left to watch my veggies to mature.

Here’s the back of the broccoli packet as an example. As you can see, it’s stickered with an indication that the seeds were packed for this year and that they’re Certified Organic by Washington State Dept. of Agriculture. It also says that the seeds should be planted indoors and transplanted outdoors after all danger of frost is past, which had me nervous for a minute, until I realized that broccoli can also be planted in the fall and harvested in the spring. Unfortunately, the same isn’t true of the other vegetables included in this box, but I think since greens can be harvested and eaten at any point in their maturity, I’m hoping I’ll have time to enjoy some before it gets too chilly.

The only packet with differing info on the back is the carrot one. Rather than giving directions, it provides a little planting guide for the climate I chose, mild. You can see here that the info listed includes vegetable type, when to plant it, how deep to plant the seeds, how far apart to space the seeds, and how many days it will take for the vegetable to mature. Not all the vegetables whose seeds were included in the box are represented on this chart, but it’s still an interesting reference.

Per the recommendation on the back of my seed packets, I planted my seeds in smaller containers and set near my sunniest window, to be transplanted in my garden bed in a few weeks.

UPDATE:

Verdict: Well, if it wasn’t already evident from my comments above, I am completely and utterly stoked on PlowBox! The out-of-box experience is really nicely curated; I got the distinct vibe that whoever packed this box did it with joy. I also feel prepared to go into growing my first garden with all the information Seattle Seed Co. provided. As for the value? The items in this box add up to $49.65, which is higher than the price of the box, so needless to say, it’s a great deal. Stay tuned—I’ll follow up to let you know how my seeds are progressing.

What are your thoughts on the PlowBox offerings?