I understand your remark. - however you need to take into account that Pioneer (an excellent source for seeds) is located in Johnston, Iowa - and if I'm not mistaken has always been there- so yes they will know which seeds to sell you- that's real Expert advice. Additionally if you buy at your local co-op they probably stock only seeds that grow well in the area. They'll even tell you when and how to plant,care for, and harvest your crop. In other words they are making the variety, soil temp decisions for you. -and saying plant this, at such and such a time. I live in an area where the conditions change in less than 10km. - Vancouver Island - soil temps, wind chill can vary a lot so understanding this stuff can make the difference between a lush garden and a half dead garden. Planting, say, tomatoes outdoors can be delayed by 6 weeks if your getting a lot of night time wind chill (near the ocean or at a higher elevation). Your inland, flat, and have very uniform growing conditions, Your also in the corn discussion- which the breadbasket states (of which your state is one of) having been growing corn for longer then I can even guess at (250 years- and the Native American Indians before that)- even in Canada I know some of your sayings 'knee high by the 4th of July' which I'm guessing every breadbasket school child knows- so yes I Imagine you know when to plant corn. There are people who live in microclimates -and they may not have access to consultants (like your local co-op) that give information freely. So yes, they need to understand soil temps. Etc. Aditionally, person might want to grow a variety of something that is different (mail order) from what their local garden center has decided to sell. In which case they either investigate before they buy, or buy, plant and cross their fingers.

- Celeste Archer