Use the seed catalogue as a procurement map

A seed catalogue can serve as a procurement map when retailers browse from broad seed groups to precise variety records. The hierarchy helps organise candidate products, but it does not determine assortment suitability, availability, final price or commercial terms. Those purchasing decisions require separate evaluation after the relevant catalogue references have been identified.

Start with the seed group

Begin with the group that matches the product area under consideration: vegetables, flowers, herbs, or microgreens and sprouts. This first step narrows the catalogue without treating every catalogue entry as a purchase candidate. A retailer can use the groups to check whether its intended range is represented and where focused comparisons should begin.

Move from group to species

Within a group, use the species pages to identify the botanical reference being considered. For example, mint records are separated into Mentha spicata, Mentha longifolia, Mentha piperita and Mentha pulegium rather than treated as one interchangeable product. The same principle applies elsewhere: the species level establishes the botanical identity before an individual selection is assessed.

Use varieties as the purchasing reference

Continue to the variety listing and retain the full species, cultivar and catalogue reference. This is especially important where several varieties sit under one species, as with the tomato and microgreen ranges. Preserve qualifiers exactly as listed rather than shortening cultivar names. A category, common name or family relationship is not an adequate substitute for the exact variety and SKU.

Keep navigation separate from purchasing decisions

Catalogue structure helps organise and identify possible ranges, but it does not establish demand, resistance traits, test results, direct-consumption suitability, available pack sizes or the terms for a particular sale. Those points require evidence about the exact reference and destination. Record the species, variety, SKU, required quantity, unit and destination before asking for a quotation, where final prices, availability, pack sizes and shipping conditions can be reviewed.

Create a simple selection record

A procurement map becomes easier to use when each candidate is captured in a consistent row. Useful fields include the seed group, botanical species, variety name, SKU, required weight or seed count, destination and any unresolved question. Mark an item as a candidate rather than a confirmed purchase, because catalogue inclusion only confirms that the reference can be evaluated. This prevents a navigation category from being mistaken for an approved retail assortment.

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