If taught us anything when it comes to gardening, it's that you should buy your seeds early. Last spring saw seed companies inundated with unprecedented demand, as gardening grew in popularity as a pandemic pastime.
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While seed sellers are already starting to get busy this year, time is still on your side. If you plan ahead, you can get the seeds you want and start your garden as soon as the winter frost subsides.
Not exactly sure where to begin? Here's our guide to buying seeds for the upcoming growing season.
You wouldn't go to the grocery store without knowing what you already have and what you need. It's the same thing with seeds for your garden. And while it might be tempting to focus on what you want to put in the ground in the spring, it's important to think ahead about cool weather crops for the fall, such as greens and root vegetables. Check out our list of seven crops you can plant for a fall harvest, if you're in need of some inspiration.
Make sure you know what your growing conditions are like. Does your garden have a space for full sun or is it mostly in a shaded space? This will determine what you put on your list. For example, vegetables such as tomatoes, peas and cucumbers thrive in full sun while leafy greens can handle shadier spots. Lots of root vegetables can grow with at least a half a day of sun.
It's also important to know your hardiness zone. If you're not sure what it is, go to the USDA site and enter your zip code to find out. Descriptions on seed packets will sometimes include the ideal hardiness zone. If you opt to purchase your seeds at your local garden center, what you'll find is a selection that's appropriate for your region.
If you're a new gardener, sometimes, the terminology for types of seeds can be overwhelming. Here's a breakdown.
Open pollination: Open-pollination seeds come from varieties that are pollinated naturally with wind or insects. These are seeds that can produce plants that look and taste like their parent plant, meaning that you can save seeds from these varieties year after year. One benefit of using open-pollination seeds is that they can slowly adapt to growing conditions and climate over the years.
Hybrid (H1): Hybrid seeds are the product of professional plant breeders. They are made using controlled pollination methods (as opposed to open pollination) by crossing two varieties with favorable characteristics such as disease resistance, higher yields or improved flavor. Hybrid breeds might have characteristics that allow your plants to thrive, but you can't save these seeds and grow them again because they will produce plants with traits different from their parent.
Heirloom: Heirloom varieties are older plants that have survived for more than 40-50 years. These seeds have been saved to preserve genetic diversity and cultural traditions. Heirloom seeds have either a unique appearance, taste or resilient traits that have led to their endurance.
Organic: This is a USDA designation for seeds of plants that were grown organically without synthetic fertilizer, pesticides or fungicides. Although these seeds are usually more expensive, if you plan on gardening using organic practices, you might produce better yields.
GMO: These are plants that have been altered in a lab using gene modification. This tends to involve using genetic traits from another species to add desired characteristics. There are very few GMO seeds available for home gardeners, but it's still a good term to understand in case you come across some.
Make sure that you are purchasing your seeds from a trusted, well-known source. If you're a new gardener and you're looking online, sometimes, it's hard to tell.
Here's a list of common places where you can replenish your seed stock online. A majority of these stores also have print and electronic catalogs for the growing season.
Clear Creek Seeds: This is a family-owned business, based in Oklahoma, that started in . Its speciality is heirloom, non-GMO, open-pollinated vegetable and herb seeds.
Fedco Seeds: Fedco is a co-operative seed company, based in Maine. It has existed since and is known to be the best source for cold-hardy selections, specifically the northeastern climate. In addition to seeds, it also sells bulbs and trees. About 30 percent of the seeds in its stock are certified organic.
Seed Savers Exchange: Seed Savers Exchange has existed since . It is a nonprofit organization and one of the largest non-governmental seed banks in the United States. Seed Savers Exchange is based in Iowa and has a collection of more than 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plants from which to choose.
Seeds of Change: This is an organic seed and food company that was founded in . It has a wide range of crops marketed in categories such as container friendly, annuals, biennials, hardy varieties, full-sun crops, partial-sun crops, edible flowers and heirlooms.
High Mowing Organics: High Mowing Organics began in . Today, the organic seed company sells more than 600 types of heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid seeds. This includes vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Sow True Seed: This North Carolina seed source has a collection of more than 500 types of GMO-free vegetable, herb and flower seeds. This includes heirloom, open-pollinated, organic plants and what it calls 'small farmer grown' varieties. The company also has a number of growing guides and a page to help you determine what you should plant each month, according to your USDA hardiness zone.
Renee's Garden: Renee's Garden seeds offer heirloom, certified organic and specialty crops, specifically marketed for the home gardener. The seeds are selected from a number of growers around the world.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company: Baker Creek is a Missouri-based company, known as one of the top sources'if not the top source'for rare heirloom seeds. The company was started in and sells around 1,000 heirloom varieties in its seed catalogue. This collection includes 19th-century varieties from Europe and Asia.
Botanical Interests: Botanical Interests began 25 years ago in the state of Colorado. It carries more than 600 specialty varieties for home gardeners. This includes heirloom, organic and open-pollinated crops. The company staff say they test all their seeds to ensure they are varieties with high germination rates.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange: This company, based in central Virginia, offers heirloom and open-pollinated varieties that specifically grow well in Mid-Atlantic and Southeast climates. It has roughly 800 varieties of vegetable, flower, herb and cover crop seeds.
Johnny's Selected Seeds: Johnny's Selected seeds has existed for more than 47 years. It offers a diverse crop selection of fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs with seeds that are organic, hybrid, open-pollinated and heirloom varieties.
Territorial Seed Company : This is an Oregon-based company that has been around for more than 40 years. It sells seeds of fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs in organic, heirloom and open-pollinated varieties. On its site, it has also created a number of growing guides and garden planning activities for those who need it.
Sustainable Seed Company: Sustainable Seed Company is located in Utah. The company was founded in . It sells more than 875 non-hybrid, organic vegetable, flower and heirloom seeds, as well as specialty crops such as cotton, grain and tobacco.
If you're looking for some additional guidance, master gardeners at your local extension service will no doubt be able to answer your seed questions and can offer a helpful perspective that is unique to your area.
Check the date on the packaging or in the online description to make sure the seeds you're buying are for this year. While seeds can last for many years (with the exception of onions, leeks and parsnips), it's important to know that their ability to germinate declines as they get older.
It's also important to be mindful of shipping fees. This can increase the final cost of your bill substantially, doubling or tripling it in some cases. Another small detail that new gardeners often miss is the number of seeds that are included in each package. So be aware of what you're buying, as you might end up with way too much seed.
For more information on how to read your seed packets, Penn State Extension has this guide.
Once gardeners get an idea what crops they want to plant, beginning gardeners ask, 'Where should I buy seeds?' With a plethora of sources ' local options, online seed companies, and seed catalogs ' it's hard to know the best places to buy your garden seeds.
While longtime gardeners already have their favorite seed companies, beginners aren't sure where to start.
One thing is for sure: quality matters. Here you'll find the benefits and drawbacks of local seed sources and online seed catalogs, along with tips to help you know how to choose your best vegetable garden crops and where to buy seeds. Click below to hear this episode on the Beginner's Garden Podcast, or keep reading.
Most beginners start out buying seeds locally for many reasons. Maybe that's the only option they know at first. Or maybe they don't have time to wait for a seed catalog order to arrive. But even when purchasing garden seeds locally, there are pros and cons to the different places you can buy seeds.
There's no question ' buying seeds from a local big box store or garden center is likely the most convenient option. It's easy to pick up seeds while you're already there for other items, and for the most part, you get a decent selection.
Big box stores also carry seeds of vegetables, fruit, and herbs that are regionally appropriate. You don't have to worry, then, whether a particular variety is suited to your climate. You'll also find a selection of heirloom, hybrid, and organic seeds.
But, in my experience, seeds purchased at big-box stores simply do not germinate as well as some of the options I'll share below. In fact, it wasn't until I started purchasing from reputable online seed companies did I realize what a difference a good quality seed source makes.
Another drawback is not knowing what you're supporting with your purchase. (Related: How to Keep Monsanto Out of Your Garden.) Seeds that home gardeners purchase are generally not GMO, but many people ' including me ' would rather support seed companies who are 100% on-GMO and have signed the safe seed pledge.
Want more information on pearl tomato seeds? Feel free to contact us.
As a first-time gardener, I didn't realize all that feed stores or farmer's co-ops had to offer. Besides being my go-to source for buying seed potatoes and onion transplants, I've found feed stores to offer a great selection of the most commonly planted crops in my area.
The seeds they offer will grow in your region, and I've found them dependable in their germination and growth. They're also economical especially when purchasing a larger quantity. One seed packet of green beans, for instance, would never have given me enough, but in my feed store, I pay by the scoop, giving me much more quantity for a similar price.
At Feed Stores and Farmer's Co-ops, you usually can pay per scoop.They also, in my experience, have a limited selection of each crop ' which can be a benefit for beginning gardeners. How many times have I become overwhelmed with the vast selection in a bright, shiny seed catalog? I just want a simple squash, for goodness' sake! With my local feed store, I can choose a reliable variety for my climate without the overwhelm of endless choices.
I suppose the limited selection also can be a drawback if you're looking for specialty seeds. That's why I usually source my feed store for specific crops ' beans, corn, or a new crop I've never tried before and I'm not ready to venture out into exotic varieties.
They also still have seeds for fall gardening, when many times the big-box stores have taken down their seed displays.
One final benefit of feed stores and farmer's co-ops that must be mentioned is the personal service. They local workers can give you specific planting advice or their tips on how particular varieties perform. For a beginner, this local information can prove incredibly helpful for a beginning gardener.
An overlooked option for seed purchasing is your local nursery. In my area, the local nurseries have a small seed display. Like big box stores and feed stores, you'll find the selection suitable for your region, and like feed stores, local nursery workers have a wealth of information to offer you.
The only advice I'd offer before purchasing seeds from a local nursery is to consider the source of the seeds. The ones I've seen have been similar to the seed suppliers the big box stores use, so ask questions if that's a concern for you.
Many towns will offer seed swaps, where gardeners who have saved open-pollinated seeds will share their excess with others. I've also seen seed swaps online.
In my first season gardening, my mom visited one of these swaps for me and obtained several different varieties of seeds for me. Some grew well, some didn't. The benefits of local seed swaps are what you'd think ' most of the time they're free, you're supporting your community, and the varieties are well-adapted to your region.
But the home gardener's seeds aren't subject to inspection and testing like other seed companies, so you are taking a chance when it comes to germination. You also have no way of knowing if the open-pollinated seeds could have been cross-pollinated with another variety, resulting in a natural hybrid seed. These won't produce true if they grow at all. As long as you understand the risk, it may be worth considering for the cost savings.
Another option to buy seeds is through online sources and seed catalogs. In fact, most experienced gardeners I know purchase most, if not all, of their seeds this way.
Depending on your preference, you can choose to buy from heirloom seed companies, organic seed companies, regional seed suppliers, non-heirloom-specific seed sources, or a combination of these.
The most obvious benefit to buying straight from a seed supplier is the selection. You can dream of unique varieties not typically available locally, and you can venture out and experiment with crops you'd never find at your grocery store.
When browsing through seed catalogs or an online seed store, you generally learn more details on each specific crop. What growing conditions are best? What will the final crop look like? What's its growth habit? Is it disease resistant? You can become a detective and find a variety that interests you and has the best chance in your climate. Online reviews are also very helpful.
Perhaps the reason I prefer buying most of my seeds online or from seed catalogs is that in my experience, when buying from reputable seed companies, the germination rate was unparalleled. And as long as I chose crops adapted to my region, they grew best and gave me the most abundant harvests.
Now, all isn't rosy in the online and seed catalog world. Too much selection can prove daunting for a beginning gardener. And you may not know what will grow best in your region. You'll also pay a bit more and in most cases, you'll have to pay a modest amount for shipping.
This is why I'm strategic about where I buy seeds ' both locally and online ' for the most reliable seeds, best selection, budget-friendly options, and most promising harvest.
If you're wondering what are the best seed catalogs, there are many reputable seed companies to choose from. Gardeners have their favorites, and I'll list the ones below that I've personally had good experience with. (Feel free to add yours in the comments!)
White Harvest Seed is a small, family-owned company located in southern Missouri. I have been buying seeds from them for many years, and their seeds have always ' without exception ' performed with excellence. They are an heirloom seed company and have top rate customer service. You can listen to my interview with the owner, Mike, in two previous podcast episodes here and here.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is one of the most popular heirloom seed companies in the US. With a drool-worthy full-color seed catalog, you are certain to find plenty of options for your garden. These seeds always perform well in my garden, given I have done the research to choose varieties suitable for my area.
Don't underestimate the importance of growing crops suited for your climate. As a gardener in the southeast, I've enjoyed the peace of mind that comes from buying from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Even if you're not in the Southeast, look for reputable seed companies in your area for climate-specific varieties.
Last year I was looking for specific cover crop seeds that I couldn't find in my other sources, but I found them at Territorial Seed Company. After ordering, I received their catalog and saw their selection of heirloom, organic, and hybrid seeds. For those who want a trustworthy source who has signed the Safe Seed Pledge (100% non-GMO) but also offers hybrid varieties, I'd recommend Territorial Seed.
Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit with the purpose of conserving and promoting a wide variety of seeds. You can find both mainstream and unique seeds here and support a worthy mission as well.
With all these options to buy seeds, how do you go about buying seeds?
If you find your mailbox full of seed catalogs, research the seed company before placing any order if it's not one you've ordered from before. I had a bad experience one year because I failed to do this. Look up reviews and make sure you're buying from a reputable source.
Online reviews are also a great source of help in choosing your seeds. I like to read the reviews at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and scan for reviews from gardeners with a similar climate to mine. I did this when deciding which new pole bean variety to try.
If you know of local gardeners, ask them their favorite varieties to grow. Gardeners love to share this information! If you don't know any local gardeners, ask growers at your Farmer's Market, or even look for a gardening Facebook Group and ask there. Or, like mentioned previously, ask the workers at your feed store, farmer's co-op, or nursery.
Be smart about your seed buying. Those $2 seed packets can add up quickly. As you're browsing through catalogs, make notes of how many seeds you get in a packet as well as the price so you can compare 'apples to apples' (no pun intended). Also consider shipping. One source may have higher priced seeds and free shipping, while one may have lower priced seeds but a higher shipping amount. (I track all of this in my Seed/Plant Research Sheet in my Complete Garden Planner, available here.)
I'm big on garden planning, and this is one reason why. Before you ever purchase a packet of seeds, make sure you know your garden goals and have even planned your garden layout. From your layout you can calculate how much of each seed you'll need. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of seed as you're planting!
For guidance in planning your garden, check out my online course, the Beginner's Garden Shortcut or my eBook, the Beginner's Garden Shortcut QuickStart Guide.
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Learning how to source garden seeds can seem like a daunting task, but keeping these considerations in mind, I hope you're better-equipped as you start planning your seed purchases for this year!
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