Where should I buy my seeds?

[janterry]

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?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. If you can get organic close to home, do it otherwise

you might try Johnny's. http://www.johnnyseeds.com

[janterry]

5. TY

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]

11. I think Johnny's is still based here in Maine, but check your

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]

2. I buy from a few companies

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]

6. Looking right now

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

[WhiteTara]

13. Is this brand new house with new land?

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]

17. the woman who owned it previously

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]

29. We fenced our garden/yard with 6ft plastic deer fencing

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]

3. Twilley's and Pine Tree Garden

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]

7. We have tons of room,

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]

15. start your seeds now in a one gallon fabric pot

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

[duforsure]

28. My daughters favorite too!

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]

4. Victory in Oregon. Johnny's in Maine. Pine Tree in Maine

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

[janterry]

8. The Maine ones are particularly interesting

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]

31. My friend Mike owns Victory - they carry lots of tomatoes I've introduced

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!

[downhill73]

9. garden

I buy most of my seeds from Seed Savers Exchange and jonny`s seeds .

[janterry]

24. I like that Jonny's is so close to me

(really appealing to support 'somewhat' local

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

[WhiteTara]

30. Seed savers have too many hybrids for my taste.

[NRaleighLiberal]

32. Seed Savers sells no hybrids at all - they are all open pollinated

[WhiteTara]

35. Thanks. I wonder whose catalog that was then

I get way too many

[NRaleighLiberal]

36. could be Totally Tomatoes, or Johnny's, or....

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]

37. I'm still expanding varieties and

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

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

10. Get mine from Sustainable Seeds...

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.

[janterry]

21. I love the idea of growing heirloom seeds

TY!

[we can do it]

12. Heres a good one. Seed Savers Exchange

https://www.seedsavers.org/

[janterry]

20. That site looks lovely

Thank you!

[Arkansas Granny]

14. You might give Seeds of Change a look. I havent grown a garden in years,

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

https://seedsofchange.com

[janterry]

18. TY

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]

16. a few more

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]

19. Interesting

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]

23. Also known as Urban farming

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]

22. Johnny's

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]

25. If you want every day organic seeds in large quantities Johnny's seeds are pretty good

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]

33. TY (Looking now)

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]

39. I've grown my own starts, and I've boughten starts.

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]

26. one factor is geographic area...

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]

27. I'm down in Brattleboro

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

[Bayard]

34. Been ordering from Baker Seed for years

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

[NutmegYankee]

38. I buy from 4 companies: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek, Victory Seeds, and Burpees

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]

41. Ive soured on Burpees

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]

42. I use Burpee for specialty hybrids. Ive had good luck with those.

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.

[spinbaby]

40. Kitazawa seeds

Very reliable and they carry some unique Asian vegetables.

[janterry]

43. I'll check them out

ty!~