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janterry

(4,429 posts)
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 07:41 AM Mar 2018

Where should I buy my seeds?

Looking for recommendations, please. I want to buy the 'usual' - but I'd also like to buy some things that are slightly more interesting. I have a big plot for veggies and herbs.

Any online catalogue's that you like?

43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Where should I buy my seeds? (Original Post) janterry Mar 2018 OP
If you can get organic close to home, do it otherwise GreenPartyVoter Mar 2018 #1
TY janterry Mar 2018 #5
I think Johnny's is still based here in Maine, but check your GreenPartyVoter Mar 2018 #11
I buy from a few companies WhiteTara Mar 2018 #2
Looking right now janterry Mar 2018 #6
Is this brand new house with new land? WhiteTara Mar 2018 #13
the woman who owned it previously janterry Mar 2018 #17
We fenced our garden/yard with 6ft plastic deer fencing WhiteTara Mar 2018 #29
Twilley's and Pine Tree Garden duforsure Mar 2018 #3
We have tons of room, janterry Mar 2018 #7
start your seeds now in a one gallon fabric pot WhiteTara Mar 2018 #15
My daughters favorite too! duforsure Mar 2018 #28
Victory in Oregon. Johnny's in Maine. Pine Tree in Maine NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 #4
The Maine ones are particularly interesting janterry Mar 2018 #8
My friend Mike owns Victory - they carry lots of tomatoes I've introduced NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 #31
garden downhill73 Mar 2018 #9
I like that Jonny's is so close to me janterry Mar 2018 #24
Seed savers have too many hybrids for my taste. WhiteTara Mar 2018 #30
Seed Savers sells no hybrids at all - they are all open pollinated NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 #32
Thanks. I wonder whose catalog that was then WhiteTara Mar 2018 #35
could be Totally Tomatoes, or Johnny's, or.... NRaleighLiberal Mar 2018 #36
I'm still expanding varieties and WhiteTara Mar 2018 #37
Get mine from Sustainable Seeds... N_E_1 for Tennis Mar 2018 #10
I love the idea of growing heirloom seeds janterry Mar 2018 #21
Heres a good one. Seed Savers Exchange we can do it Mar 2018 #12
That site looks lovely janterry Mar 2018 #20
You might give Seeds of Change a look. I havent grown a garden in years, Arkansas Granny Mar 2018 #14
TY janterry Mar 2018 #18
a few more Drifter Mar 2018 #16
Interesting janterry Mar 2018 #19
Also known as Urban farming Drifter Mar 2018 #23
Johnny's steventh Mar 2018 #22
If you want every day organic seeds in large quantities Johnny's seeds are pretty good Farmer-Rick Mar 2018 #25
TY (Looking now) janterry Mar 2018 #33
I've grown my own starts, and I've boughten starts. Farmer-Rick Mar 2018 #39
one factor is geographic area... handmade34 Mar 2018 #26
I'm down in Brattleboro janterry Mar 2018 #27
Been ordering from Baker Seed for years Bayard Mar 2018 #34
I buy from 4 companies: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek, Victory Seeds, and Burpees NutmegYankee Mar 2018 #38
Ive soured on Burpees spinbaby Mar 2018 #41
I use Burpee for specialty hybrids. Ive had good luck with those. NutmegYankee Mar 2018 #42
Kitazawa seeds spinbaby Mar 2018 #40
I'll check them out janterry Mar 2018 #43
 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
5. TY
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:08 AM
Mar 2018

I'm sure there's something close to here (VT). We had just moved in last year, so I bought a few plants and gave it a go. But this year, I have time to do it right

GreenPartyVoter

(73,035 posts)
11. I think Johnny's is still based here in Maine, but check your
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:29 AM
Mar 2018

Vermont growers and farmers association to see who is selling even closer to you.

Also, this September try and get over here for http://www.mofga.org/thefair

WhiteTara

(30,159 posts)
2. I buy from a few companies
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 07:58 AM
Mar 2018

I won't buy anything related to Direct Gardening. Their plants and policies suck. They have a variety of catalogs so look for the address so be sure and watch the addresses too.

My favorite company is Baker Rare Seeds out of Missouri. They have open pollinated organic seeds. I don't plant hybrids because I do save seed. However, I do plant a variety of plants and seeds and do use other companies. Happy Planting!

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
6. Looking right now
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:09 AM
Mar 2018

TY. It will be our first 'big' garden (new house!). So, this year is pretty exciting.

WhiteTara

(30,159 posts)
13. Is this brand new house with new land?
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:31 AM
Mar 2018

Or is this a new house to you with a history? If new new, plant like crazy. If new with history,you might want to observe the landscaping for the first year to find out what is there already. I say this because when I moved into a old house with history, the gardens were fairly established and I managed to dig up a bunch of peonies! Fortunately, I didn't destroy the entire bed.

Happy planting! I love this time of year.

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
17. the woman who owned it previously
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:49 AM
Mar 2018

had a large garden. We moved in April last year, so we were here for spring and summer. Everything I planted was already started at the garden store. This year, I wanted to start from seeds.

Our big emendation will be a fence. She had (and took out) an electric one.

I had none last year.....and so at least one woodchuck got happy and fat, thanks to our veggies

WhiteTara

(30,159 posts)
29. We fenced our garden/yard with 6ft plastic deer fencing
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 10:16 AM
Mar 2018

and for the most part it has worked well. But we have to have a fence if we want anything to grow. The deer roam freely through the woods and all things planted become very expensive deer food

We have possum, armadillos, rabbits and raccoons that traverse the ground. For the most part, they do little damage. THe armadillo is the worst with its little nose digging for grubs in the ground leave little holes and sometimes it gets a bulb...errrr.

Last year the raccoons got every single peach on my newly fruiting trees. This year, I'm going to wrap the tree as soon as the flowers turn to little peach buds and hopefully that will allow us some fruit this year.

Good luck with your endeavors. You will really gain optimism and muscles!

duforsure

(11,885 posts)
3. Twilley's and Pine Tree Garden
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:01 AM
Mar 2018
http://www.twilleyseed.com/ I tried their ambrosia cantaloupe and corn, and the best I've ever had. Also they have some pretty good sweeter varieties of watermelon if you have the room. They have lots to choose from too. If you prefer older varieties https://www.superseeds.com/ and they are very reasonable and have lots of stuff also. Making me hungry for some fresh veggie's.
 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
7. We have tons of room,
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:11 AM
Mar 2018

I'm not sure how well we can grow watermelon (I tried with one plant last year, but it failed). I think there are a few varieties that work up here (VT) - but I'll have to get them in the soil quicker. We'd love to have a few grow; it's my daughter's favorite.

WhiteTara

(30,159 posts)
15. start your seeds now in a one gallon fabric pot
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:33 AM
Mar 2018

and then when the time is right, plant the bag into the ground and you'll have your watermelons this summer.

duforsure

(11,885 posts)
28. My daughters favorite too!
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 10:14 AM
Mar 2018

And the cantaloupe. My little one (7 at the time) would help me get them when I would put them into a little trailer , and they were like candy. That was many years ago but they both still talk about it. Had a large area to grow them , so we did. Also supercharged them with homemade fertilizer from the rabbit manure and water , then added things to help the soil , like when watering added just a little molasses. Tried to keep everything as organic as possible. Made a tea that I sprayed that really made them grow and improved the soil. And being in Texas it was hot so the variety was important too, as with your growing time frame where you're at. I made hills with 4-5 seeds to a hill, then watered occasionally, and watched them take off. Don't over water or they'll be more vines , and not as sweet. At one time I had a little water timer and hoses I made into a soaker for them, so it was less time consuming and watered the large garden I had. Probably had 30-40 hills for both so it was work, but had some pretty good rewards. Being in a country setting its funny i had hardly any critters getting into them.

NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)
4. Victory in Oregon. Johnny's in Maine. Pine Tree in Maine
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:05 AM
Mar 2018

Southen Exposure Seed Exchange in Virginia. All great for different rrasons, websites or paper catalogs

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
8. The Maine ones are particularly interesting
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:12 AM
Mar 2018

because they're close by (we just two states over - VT).

Thank you, I'll be looking all morning - I've got to get the inside ones started soon

NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)
31. My friend Mike owns Victory - they carry lots of tomatoes I've introduced
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 10:16 AM
Mar 2018

so of course I have a special affinity for them! I was the original source of Cherokee Purple and Cherokee Green and Brandywine to Johnny's - friends with Rob Johnston. And Southern Exposure was the first company I sent Cherokee Purple to in 1991 after I received, grew and named it!

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
24. I like that Jonny's is so close to me
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 09:05 AM
Mar 2018

(really appealing to support 'somewhat' local

(and of course, I love Maine in general.......)

NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)
36. could be Totally Tomatoes, or Johnny's, or....
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 11:32 AM
Mar 2018

there aren't many exclusive Open Pollinated/Heirloom companies - most blend in hybrids

I get less than I used to because I've got TOO MUCH saved seed to ever grow out!

WhiteTara

(30,159 posts)
37. I'm still expanding varieties and
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 11:37 AM
Mar 2018

continue to buy seed and plants. But I'm getting enough where I can transplant and divide.

N_E_1 for Tennis

(10,779 posts)
10. Get mine from Sustainable Seeds...
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:24 AM
Mar 2018
https://sustainableseedco.com/

Awesome seeds, great germination and helpful tips at the website. All seeds are organic and you can find some hard to get heirloom seeds.

Arkansas Granny

(31,826 posts)
14. You might give Seeds of Change a look. I havent grown a garden in years,
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:32 AM
Mar 2018

but I used to get some of my seeds here. They carry a lot of organic and heirloom seeds.

https://seedsofchange.com

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
18. TY
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:52 AM
Mar 2018

I was worried they might be pricey (they have a display at our co-op). I've used them in the past (for a pack of seeds, here and there). Such a lovely company! (Going to take a look, now

Drifter

(4,751 posts)
16. a few more
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:40 AM
Mar 2018

I am a small time SPIN farmer (Small Plot INtensive)

Fruition Seeds - Naples, NY (South of Rochester)
https://www.fruitionseeds.com/
Organic seed for the Northeast.
I have not purchased seeds from them, but I will be this year.

Other big names
Harris Seed
Ball Seed
Burpee Seed
Gurneys

Cheers
Drifter

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
19. Interesting
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 08:54 AM
Mar 2018

I'll look up SPIN. I don't know that much about gardening (just the basics - and of course, we got tons of tomatoes last year).

It's going to be a big learning curve. The nice thing is that we have room and lots of sun in the back.

Drifter

(4,751 posts)
23. Also known as Urban farming
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 09:04 AM
Mar 2018

Here is a guy I follow on YT. Very informative.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-BlDCX__nCLs_ZF9meYQbw

This is a full time profitable farm.
I like this because it is completely scalable, and requires little land and start up costs.
I do this part time on about 2500 sq/ft (In my yard).

Good luck
Drifter

steventh

(2,156 posts)
22. Johnny's
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 09:03 AM
Mar 2018

I've been getting seeds from Johnny's for many years. The staff is quick to fill orders. The seeds have a good germination rate. You can choose between organic and regular seeds. The vegetables grow great in my NC garden. The paper catalog is full of wonderful information and beautiful photos.

Farmer-Rick

(11,401 posts)
25. If you want every day organic seeds in large quantities Johnny's seeds are pretty good
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 09:08 AM
Mar 2018

Johnny's is worker owned and their product does exactly what it says in their catalog. But they can be pricey if you buy small quantities.

I usually have to hunt around for the more unusual seeds. Johnny may sell them but they are frequently sold out this time of year. Black soy bean seeds were tough to find this year. I couldn't get edible poppyseed seeds, and even Baker's creek didn't have apple mellon seeds.

Territorial has decent organic seeds but they can be pricey in large quantities.


 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
33. TY (Looking now)
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 10:34 AM
Mar 2018

I want to be really ambitious, but my skill set is just beginner (so I have to thread lightly, I think.

I want to increase my plants every year.....as I learn a bit more.

So, this year is my first year 'from seed' (if you will) .

Farmer-Rick

(11,401 posts)
39. I've grown my own starts, and I've boughten starts.
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 06:32 PM
Mar 2018

With constant attention they both do well, but I find my own starts do better if I get busy and don't keep up with the bugs and weeds. While the boughten starts (I get from Teritorial or Johnny) don't do as well if I feel like being lazy.

Hope your season goes well

handmade34

(22,925 posts)
26. one factor is geographic area...
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 09:32 AM
Mar 2018

I buy High Mowing Seeds because they are nearby and I trust the plants will do well in Northern Vermont (as long as I do my part)

https://www.highmowingseeds.com/

Johnny's is good also... http://www.johnnyseeds.com/

https://www.victoryseeds.com/

many factors, and seeds are so expensive... I have bought less expensive seeds from companies such as Gurney's, Burgess, Burpee and/or Park and considering everything, if I can afford them, I go better quality


**just started a few tomatoes and lettuce... I am going to try a few hydroponics this year ....also set up a couple of grow lights and starting a design for a small greenhouse... pretty excited to get things started

best of luck to you







 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
27. I'm down in Brattleboro
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 09:49 AM
Mar 2018

I've heard of High Mowing Seeds just within the last few weeks? I think they were on NPR??

Bayard

(24,145 posts)
34. Been ordering from Baker Seed for years
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 11:30 AM
Mar 2018

Always reliable, and the company is happy to send replacements if there's a problem

NutmegYankee

(16,308 posts)
38. I buy from 4 companies: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek, Victory Seeds, and Burpees
Sun Mar 4, 2018, 06:07 PM
Mar 2018

Baker Creek and Victory have dependable heirlooms and I get most tomato varieties from them. Johnny's and Burpees have hybrids that guarantee a harvest and often have some disease resistance to common North East Diseases. I tend to get corn, squash, cucumbers, and beans that carry some resistance. Johnny's offers a great table of disease resistant varieties.

Burpees, while mainstream, does have some nice F1 hybrids of squash that do quite well.

spinbaby

(15,198 posts)
41. Ive soured on Burpees
Thu Mar 8, 2018, 06:33 PM
Mar 2018

I’m mainly a flower gardener with a few scattered herbs. Burpees has twice now sold me seeds that didn’t grow true. White marigolds came up as an orange mix. Also, last summer I planted jewel mix nasturtiums, which I’ve used before because they’re a nice compact nasturtium that minds its manners. Last summer’s, however, sent out vines 10 or 12 feet, not true to type at all.

NutmegYankee

(16,308 posts)
42. I use Burpee for specialty hybrids. Ive had good luck with those.
Thu Mar 8, 2018, 06:47 PM
Mar 2018

I was thinking of starting some of my seedlings this weekend, but with no utility power until potentially Sunday, I guess I’ll do it the next week.

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