Where do you buy seed?

[A. Lyric]

I've purchased seed from Amazon, eBay, Victory Seeds, Walmart, Lowes, even the Dollar Tree once. I did regret the Dollar Tree Seed packet. It said "Beefsteak" tomato. Those tomatoes are barely as big as a walnut. A hulled walnut at that. Maybe I don't know what to expect from a beefsteak tomato but I did expect something bigger than a friggin' walnut.

If there was anything wrong with the other seeds I've purchased, I don't know. It just never dawned on me to mistrust a seed packet. But I was reading something recently that said you should always buy seed and plant starts from a bonefide seed company and never a box store. The other places I've bought them weren't specifically mentioned, but likely fall under the same no-no umbrella.

So. Where do you guys purchase seed and why?

 

[MiniOrchardDude]

I use mostly Burpee brand seed. As long it is Burpee I will buy it anywhere I see it. Usually buy canteloupe, herbs and onions. Bought Crimson Seed watermelon about 8 years ago. I now saved that seed every year.

Rareseed.com usually buy cilantro, tomatillo, cherry tomateos, cucumbers, lemon balm and lemon grass.

The rest of my seed is from Gurney. Mostly corn, cucumbers, jalapeno, cateloupe and lettuce.

Those 3 have always worked out great for me.

I only use seed for specific things that grow better than store bought plants or stuff I can't buy as a plant.

MOD

 

[Chuck]

I have been buying seeds for decades, from the start of the online purchases to many many years before. I know this to be true. All commercially grown seed used for purchase comes from farms that produce only seeds. The big seed companies like Burpee and the little guys like Dollar Store all get their seeds from the same place, the above mentioned seed farms. I am a firm believer that it is not normal for to seeds fail.. It is much more likely the seed sower somehow failed.

 

[big rockpile]

I'm just starting with Eden Brothers because they sell a little bit of everything in bulk.

big rockpile

 

[A. Lyric]

The big seed companies like Burpee and the little guys like Dollar Store all get their seeds from the same place, the above mentioned seed farms.

Wow. Now that's interesting! Thank you, butterfly guy!

I am a firm believer that it is not normal for seeds to fail.. It is much more likely the seed sower somehow failed.

I can believe that, as well. This seed sower has failing down to a fine art this summer.

 

[Chuck]

Wow. Now that's interesting! Thank you, butterfly guy!


I can believe that, as well. This seed sower has failing down to a fine art this summer.

Very true, but not all fails are the gardeners' fault. This has been an unprecedented year as far a temps are concerned. Even long time experienced gardeners have, if not failed, have had diminished crops.

 

[Meadowlark]

I prefer to buy seeds locally at my favorite feed store mostly in bulk, but my next choice is always Amazon. They have an incredible selection with business arrangements in place with the giants like Burpee, Eden, and many many others. Seeds from all over are available there...and I never have to leave to get them which for my location is a huge deal.

Just today I ordered 200 Osage Orange seeds hoping to get a few of these trees re-established here which is part of their native range but now gone entirely. Only found them on Amazon.

 

[pepper]

Depending on the kind of seeds I want I either order directly from the seed company online or I buy seed packs in the store. When buying seeds in a store I prefer popular name brands like Burpee so if it says it's heirloom seeds it most likely is but most importantly I look at the date on the package because the stores will keep putting them out on the shelf year after year until they sell or expire.

Just today I ordered 200 Osage Orange seeds hoping to get a few of these trees re-established here which is part of their native range but now gone entirely. Only found them on Amazon.

That's cool, isn't that stuff really thorny? I don't know much about it other then it's the holy grail for crafting bows, people here spend hundreds of dollars just to have a stick of it shipped.

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, it can have thorns and produces those hedge apples aka horse apples that some find offensive. Not me. They are great providers of food for wildlife, superior wood for many uses, and part of the native flora of this property.

 

[A. Lyric]

my next choice is always Amazon.

I looked on Amazon this morning for Elbon Rye seed. I found rye seed, but not Elbon rye seed. And much of the seed for cover crops looked like enough to cover a football field or two. I just need enough for a couple postage stamps and a few containers.

I've decided to pull every plant in my garden so I can start a cover crop per your suggestion. I wish I understood how some plants deplete the soil while other add to it, but that's okay. I just needed to be convinced it will help my postage stamps and you convinced me.

So Eldon Rye and crimson and white clover? Is that one kind of clover or two different kinds? Is there a brand? Do I just sprinkle the seeds on and then cover them? I'm thinking out loud...it'll probably have directions on the packet of seeds. I can read at least.

 

[Meadowlark]

Seems Elbon rye is scarce in small quantities this fall...many places sold out. Winter rye will do fine for you and 5 pounds will probably cover what you have...18k seeds per pound.

Amazon.com : 5LBS Winter Rye Seed Cover Crop, Vegetable Plants :

They also have white clover in 5 pound bags

Amazon.com : Outsidepride White Dutch Clover Seed


Also crimson in 5 pound bags

Amazon.com : Outsidepride Crimson Clover Legume Seed for Green Manure, Cover Crop,

Each of these can be hand seeded in your beds on top of bare ground. Watering them in good helps insure soil contact and germination.

You don't necessarily have to remove all your garden plants but if you remove any diseased ones be sure to remove them completely from the area and compost.

This mixture won't need any maintenance until late winter/early spring when you will want to think about turning it into your soil...a task which can be done by hand in small beds/containers. The combo of white and crimson should make for a beautiful spread as well as enrich your soil. If your soil fertility is poor, you might want to add some compost/fertilizer after the cover gets up some.

 

[A. Lyric]

Each of these can be hand seeded in your beds on top of bare ground.

Without worrying about spacing or overcrowding or covering with soil. Right? Thank you so much, Meadowlark. I'm excited to do this.

 

[Meadowlark]

Right. You kind of want slightly "overcrowding", i..e. a thick stand of green, for good weed control. Water it in good and watch it grow.

 

[skinyea]

Beans, Peppers, Tomatoes, garlic, squash, I save from previous years garden. I will occasionally buy off of Amazon cause it is so easy. especially if I want to try a new variety.

I by Corn seed from a local mom and pop store.

A friend turned me onto MIgardener. the website sells seeds super cheap. everything has grown so far.

 

[A. Lyric]

A friend turned me onto MIgardener

I think he has a YouTube channel, but I've never tried purchasing seeds from him. I'm gonna check his store out. Thanks.