Garden | Seeds
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
More than 700 varieties of heirloom and certified organic seeds for vegetables, herbs, flowers, grains and cover crops, many particularly suited for the Southeast USA. Also seeds to grow your own organic cotton. “It takes many farms to grow a collection of seeds like what we offer. We’re proud to work with a network of over 50 small farms in various parts of the US who grow seeds for us.” Try their free Garden Planner software.
Mountain Valley Growers
A good selection of USDA certified organic herb, vegetable, and perennial seedling plants, grown in the Central Valley of California. Available in 3-inch potted plants and 128-plug trays. You’ll find both common and unusual plants here, including sweet stevia.
TomatoFest
Select from 600 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. I used to grow heirloom tomatoes when I lived in California and they are amazing. ” the best tasting, heirloom tomato seeds from around the world. We’ve collected what are considered to be the most valued heirloom tomato seeds from many different regions and family farms, to grow and harvest these tomato seeds to share them with you. All TomatoFest heirloom tomato seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC by CCOF”
Uprising Seeds
Vegetables, herb, flower, and grain seeds. I was really inspired by this website, starting with the name. “All our seeds are open-pollinated, certified organic by the USDA, and grown by small family farmers in the Pacific Northwest.And the list their growers Uprising Seeds is a small family run organic seed farm and the culmination of years of fresh market farming, variety trialing, seed production and breeding work, and most importantly, a decades-long love affair with food and its power to bring people together. Our ideal vision of seed sustainability involves farmers and gardeners as the stewards of the varieties that they depend on. We are therefore committed to strengthening the public commons of seed genetics by working to preserve and improve open-pollinated varieties keeping biodiversity strong through adaptability and resilience.” Flip through their beautiful catalog.
Humble Seed
“We are dedicated to providing the highest quality heirloom, non-GMO, non-hybrid, and organic seed varieties to those who choose to start from seed. “Exseeding expectations” is an affirmation we take seriously, and we believe that the most rewarding gardening experiences begin with seed.” They sell seeds in “banks” that include collections of seeds of certain types, such as hot peppers or culinary herbs. Plus compost tea for fertilizing.
Tress of Antiquity
“Our nursery is centered on the rich history and future discoveries of our heirloom apples. Our nursery is very much a family effort; we plant, graft, prune, weed, water and harvest our trees with only a bit of outstanding seasonal assistance. For over 30 years we have been rediscovering the unique flavors, textures and lore that surround these fruit trees and we look forward to extending this experience to your home.” They also sell many other fruit trees and bushes and have an excellent search system that allows you to choose the correct plants for your zone, harvest period, uses, pollination and even spacing.
Keene Garlic
Heirloom and organic garlic for planting and eating. “All our garlic seed has been grown for generations in the US, are NON-GMO, grown organically, and are all heirloom varieties.”
Sustainable Seed Company
“Good food comes from good seed” is the first thing I saw when I went to this website and they definitely have good seed. “Since 2008, we’ve been offering heirloom seeds, garden seeds, and organic heirloom seeds – non-hybrid vegetable, flower, and herb seeds. We are America’s best source for heirloom vegetable seeds, heritage grains and herb seeds. We wanted to offer heirloom seeds for one reason: they’re not only our history, but our security. You can save the seeds of the vegetables, herbs and grains we offer, and with the proper methods, reliably get the same plants for generations to come. We’re also a CERTIFIED ORGANIC seed farm – setting us apart from many others who only resell seed. With over 1,800 varieties for you to choose from (over 700 of them bulk seed and 600 of them organic seeds), we’re also the web’s premiere source for backyard gardeners and farmers alike.” The only seed company powered with sustainable energy.
Fruition Seeds
Over 200 varieties of certified organic open-pollinated, GMO-free seeds, customized to thrive in the Northeast USA.
Hudson Valley Seed Library
One of the most creative seed sites I’ve seen, you’ll love browsing this site for certified organic seeds for vegetables, flowers, and herbs. I love the “Art Packs” which “celebrate the diverse stories of seeds and their stewards. Each year we expand our collection putting out an open call for artists.” Many heirloom varieties. “We took 4 of the oldest, yet most sought after and high quality heirloom lettuce varieties and brought them together in this mix.”
Floral Encounters
Certified organically grown seeds for specialty herbs and flowers, all grown and harvested on their own farm. They have a very long list of herb seeds, including seeds for harsh environments and seeds for deer resistant plants. Because they are a small farm, they sell their seed semi-cleaned. “This means that not all the plant material from around the seed is removed. Doing this is extremely time consuming and labor intensive and the main reason that seeds are as expensive as they are. So to keep the costs down we remove as much debris as possible but leave the more difficult pieces. So when you get your seeds, they won’t be pristine and just seeds; they will have other bits of plant material in with them.” I don’t mind that at all. Shows they are hand-harvested and not put through mechanical processing.
Strictly Medicinal Seeds
A large and unusual selection of organic seeds and plants for vegetables, culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, and more. Grow flax seeds, gluten-free sorghum grain, and other useful plants in your own backyard.
All Good Things Organic Seeds
Hundreds of certified organic, non-GMO vegetable, flower and herb seeds, including improved rare and heirloom varieties sourced directly from their farm in Ojai, California. Seeds you won’t find elsewhere. Their mission is to propagate plant biodiversity and improve existing open-pollinated and heirloom vegetable varieties for better performance in organic farming and gardening contexts. “We are motivated by a curiosity and for the sensuous world and its panoply of colors, textures and flavors. Sourcing seeds from us allows us to continue this engagement and supports the broader organic food movement. “ Be sure to see the gorgeous photos in their blog.
High Mowing Organic Seeds
An abundant selection of organic seeds for vegetables, herbs, flower and cover crops, sold in quantities from small to large. “Over 600 heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seed. True to our roots, High Mowing Organic Seeds continues to grow many of the varieties we sell on our 40 acre farm, setting us apart from the majority of other seed companies.”
Turtle Tree Seed
Biodynamic, open-pollinated flower, vegetable and herb seeds. Plus books on biodynamic gardening. “We are a small non-profit seed company that sells 100% open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds. They are all grown using biodynamic and organic practices both in our seed garden and by other farmers and gardeners who use biodynamic methods. All our seed is non-gmo, non-hybrid, never treated, and grown without the use of chemical inputs. We are part of a Camphill Village in Copake, NY, a life-sharing community which includes people with developmental disabilities. People of all abilities help with growing, cleaning and packing our seeds.”
Renee’s Garden
"I offer only the varieties that are very special for home gardeners, based on great flavor, easy culture and exceptional garden performance. This seed line is my personal selection of new, exciting and unusual seed choices of time-tested heirlooms, the best international hybrids and fine open-pollinated varieties. I harvest and use the vegetables and herbs in my kitchen to choose the most delicious and cut the flowers for bouquets to select the finest colors, forms and fragrances. Renee's Garden is my practical way to spread the joy of gardening as a meaningful, productive and satisfying activity that connects us to each other and the earth. " A charming site, with recipes and lovely color drawings of the herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
A great selection of organic and heirloom seeds for vegetables, flowers, and herbs…and organic flower bulbs. Plus gardening and kitchen tools, supplies, and accessories.
Burpee Gardening
Many varieties of high quality heirloom and organic seeds and plants for edibles, plus organic gardening supplies. A trusted source for garden seeds since 1881.
The Cook’s Garden Seed Company
Seeds for organic vegetables and herbs chosen especially for cooks, plus kitchen and harvest supplies.
Veggie Cage
This enterprising seller of tomato cage supports has compiled a list of links to sites that carry a total of over 4000 heirloom tomato seed varieties! And of course, all these sites sell other heirloom seeds as well…
Territorial Seed Company
Organic and open-pollinated vegetable and flower seeds, garlic bulbs, potato sets, and live seedlings. "Our purpose is to improve people's self-sufficiency and independence by enabling gardeners to produce an abundance of good tasting fresh-from-the-garden food twelve months a year…At Territorial we fund extensive vegetable, flower and herb trials [at their own organic farm]. Each year Territorial's research staff grows and evaluates thousands of varieties. This effort allows us to offer you the best-tasting, top performers from around the world. "
Swallowtail Garden Seeds
Untreated vegetable, flower and herb seeds. Many open-pollinated vegetables, unusual annuals and perennials, wildflowers, flowering vines and culinary and medicinal herb seeds, and heirloom tomatoes.
Select Seeds
"A fabulous selection of unique, high-quality flower seeds and plants, specializing in old-fashioned fragrant varieties, flowering vines, and rare annuals. Many are hard-to-find heirloom flowers, passed from one generation to another." Website has inspiring full color photos of each variety.
Seed Saving Resources
A copious international resource for seed savers, including links to a lot of background information, places to trade and buy heirloom and open pollinated seeds, books, supplies, and more.
Seeds of Change
Certified organically grown, open-pollinated seeds, and seedlings grown organically from their seed. Also "durable and ergonomic, farm-tested tools," soil amendments, kitchen aids, garden and ecology related books, and "lots of useful information to make your gardening and culinary experience a joy for body and soul." In 1989, Seeds of Change began as a farm, "to help preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable, organic agriculture…by cultivating and disseminating an extensive range of open-pollinated, organically grown, heirloom and traditional vegetable, flower and herb seeds." Though their business has expanded, their seed selection still rests on this foundation.
Native Seeds/SEARCH
Though the seeds they sell are appropriate for only a specific desert region, this organization performs an important larger function: preserving "for future generations, the seeds of crops and wild plants traditionally used as food, fiber and dyes by prehistoric and more recent cultures inhabiting the arid southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico." You can adopt-a-crop with your donation, which will contribute to growing more seed, and support their work through the purchase of traditional foods and crafts made from materials grown from their seed.
J. L. Hudson, Seedsman
Good quality seed, and a fascinating collection of books on seeds, plants, nature, and growing. Read his "lecture" on organic seeds.
Heirloom Seeds
Over 700 varieties of open-pollinated heirloom seeds for vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Some are certified organically grown. Also organic fertilizers, seed starting supplies, and nontoxic pest controls. Their medicinal herb kit contains open-pollinated, heirloom seed for 15 traditional medicinal herbs, plus instructions for use.
Goodwin Creek Gardens
Seeds and live plants for a long list of useful and ornamental plants, including medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, everlastings, scented geraniums, lavenders, native American species, plants that attract hummingbirds or butterflies, and many more. "We have shared our gardens with animals great and small, and occasionally had to battle with those that have gone a bit too far…But having animals in the garden is perhaps our greatest pleasure. We offer a wide variety of plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and hope that your appreciation of these creatures will heighten your enthusiasm for all others…We work very hard to provide our customers not only with high quality plants, but ones that have been grown in a conscientious and environmentally friendly manner. We seldom need to use pesticides. When we do, we use ones that are organic and are clearly safe to use on food crops. We use only rock powders or vegetable based organic fertilizers in our gardens, such as compost, alfalfa meal, wood ash, and rock phosphate. While these work great in garden soil, they haven
The Garlic Store
Over 60 varieties of high quality certified organic garlic planting stock–something for every climate and soil.
Irish Eyes Garden
Provider of potato (lots of potatoes!), vegetable, flower and garden seeds. "We have just the right seeds for your home garden, including heirlooms seeds, certified seed, and organic gardening supplies."
Deep Diversity Seeds
"Rare and valuable seeds, from food plants, herbs, and flower to fiber plants, heirlooms, and medicinals." This is not a "consumer" site, but wanted to include this lengthy list of descriptions of organically grown and wildcrafted seeds from around the world, compiled by folks who have been collecting and saving seed for years.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Over 1000 varieties of heirloom vegetable, flower, and herb seeds.
