It’s a casual Saturday morning and you have your tools and a dedicated space mapped out in your home for your indoor garden, but no seeds. No problem! The best places to buy seeds for growing food depends on your needs and preferences. However, you do want to make sure that you are buying good quality seeds because believe it or not, bad quality seeds do exist. When buying seeds, it is important to choose a reputable supplier and to look for seeds that are fresh and high quality. Here are some tips for choosing and using good quality seeds:
- Buy seeds from a reputable supplier.
- Look for seeds that are fresh and high quality.
- Check the germination rate on the seed packet.
- Store seeds in a cool, dry place.
- Plant seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet
Quality over Quantity
If you are unsure about the quality of your seeds, you can test them for germination before planting. To do this, place the seeds on a moist paper towel and seal the paper towel in a plastic bag. Place the bag in a warm place and check the seeds for germination every day. If the seeds germinate within a few days, they are viable and can be planted. Furthermore, if the seeds do not germinate, they are not viable and should not be planted.
Now that we know what to look out for, here are a few options to consider when trying to purchase seeds for your garden:
- Online seed retailers: There are many online retailers that sell seeds, including some of the most popular seed companies in the world. Online retailers can offer a wide variety of seeds, including heirloom varieties, hard-to-find varieties, and organic seeds. They also offer the convenience of shopping from home and having your seeds delivered to your door.
- Garden centers: Many garden centers sell seeds, including both popular and more unusual varieties. Garden centers can be a good place to buy seeds if you want to see them in person before you buy them, or if you have questions about germination or growing.
- Farmers markets: Some farmers markets sell seeds from local farmers and seed producers. This is a great way to support local businesses and get fresh, high-quality seeds.
- Seed libraries: Unlike regular libraries, see libraries are community-based organizations that lend seeds to members. This is a great option if you are on a budget or if you want to try different varieties of seeds without having to buy a full packet.
Here are some of the most popular and reputable seed companies:
Burpee
The Burpee Seed Company was founded in 1876 by Washington Atlee Burpee, an 18-year-old with a passion for plants and animals. Burpee started his business by selling seeds and livestock from his parents’ farm in Philadelphia. He quickly became known for his high-quality seeds and his innovative gardening techniques. The Burpee Seed Company was a pioneer in the mail-order seed business. Burpee began mailing catalogs to gardeners in the late 1800s. His catalogs were known for their beautiful illustrations, their detailed descriptions of plants, and their helpful gardening tips.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnny’s Selected Seeds is a popular choice for both home gardeners and professional growers. The company is known for its high-quality seeds, its wide selection of varieties, and its excellent customer service. Johnny’s Selected Seeds was founded in 1973 by Rob Johnston, Jr. Johnston was a young farmer who wanted to provide other farmers with high-quality seeds. He started by selling seeds from his own farm, but he soon began to select and breed his own varieties. At the time of this posting, Johnny’s Selected Seeds is celebrating their 50th anniversary as one of the largest employee-owned suppliers of seeds, plants, and gardening tools.
Park Seed
Park Seed was founded in 1868 by 15-year-old George Watt Park in Libonia, Pennsylvania. George Park started the company by selling seeds that he had harvested from his backyard garden. He quickly gained a reputation for selling high-quality seeds and for providing excellent customer service. In 1871, Park launched a monthly publication called “The Floral Gazette.” This publication was more magazine than catalog and offered readers a forum for sharing gardening experiences and a seed exchange column that encouraged readers to trade seeds, bulbs, and plants. The Park Seed Company has played a significant role in the history of American gardening. The company has been responsible for introducing many new varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers to the United States. The company has also been a leading advocate for organic gardening and sustainable agriculture.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is a family-owned and operated seed company that specializes in heirloom seeds. The company was founded in 1998 by Jere Gettle, who was inspired by his grandfather’s passion for gardening and heirloom seeds. Gettle began by selling seeds at farmers markets and through mail order. The company quickly grew in popularity, and Gettle opened a retail store in Mansfield, Missouri, in 2004. Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company now offers over 2,000 varieties of heirloom seeds, as well as gardening supplies and books. Baker Creek has taken a personal pledge to not buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants.
Territorial Seed Company
Territorial Seed Company is a privately held company, owned by Tom and Julie Johns. Purchased in 1985 from its founder Steve Solomon, Tom and Julie have grown the business substantially over the past 40 years but have never strayed far from the original course set by Steve. The company is known for specializing in the production and distribution of high-quality seeds for vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, particularly tailored for gardeners and farmers in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange was founded in Missouri in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy. Entrusted with two varieties of heirloom open-pollinated seeds native to Germany and brought over by Diane’s Grandfather, Diane and Kent went on to form a network of gardeners, called ‘The Exchange’, interested in preserving heirloom varieties and bolstering biodiversity. These dedicated gardeners shared their own heirloom seeds and donated seeds to the Seed Savers Exchange collection. The collection grew steadily over several decades, and today SSE houses the nation’s largest nongovernmental seed bank of its kind (some 20,000 varieties) at Heritage Farm, 890 scenic acres in Winneshiek County, Iowa.
When choosing a seed company, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Reputation: Choose a seed company with a good reputation for selling high-quality seeds.
- Variety: Consider the variety of seeds that the company offers. Make sure that they have the seeds that you are looking for, and that they offer a variety of different varieties to choose from.
- Price: Compare prices from different seed companies to find the best deals.
- Customer service: Read reviews of different seed companies to see what other customers have said about their customer service.
Once you have chosen a seed company, you can start shopping for seeds! Be sure to read the seed packets carefully to learn about the germination rate, days to maturity, and growing requirements for each variety of seed.