There are so many options now a days when it comes to places to purchase seed. The reality is you can buy seeds anywhere and they will probably grow. I have gotten seeds from Menards, Lowes and even the Dollar Store and had them grow. In order to find the best place to purchase your seed, you need to first figure out what kind of seed you want. Questions I asked myself were “Do I want organic seed?” “Is this something I am going to grow a lot of ?” “Am I going to seed save?” Different companies fulfill most of the things I need but not all of them have all the varieties I like.
Johnny’s Selected Seed
Most of my seed comes from Johnny’s. They are great for bulk seed. A lot of places that sell heirloom or open pollinated seed only give you a packet option, which usually contains less than 100 seeds. Most packets I’ve found give you 20-25 seeds which isn’t enough for me. Johnnys sells packets up to 50lbs of seed for certain crops at reasonable prices.
High Mowing Organic Seed
Another place that sells good quality seed in bulk at reasonable prices. They have quite a few varieties I haven’t seen other places, and if I have seen it somewhere else, it’s usually a small packet which doesn’t work for me for most crops. They also carry tillage radish, a cover crop that helps tremendously breaking up clay soil, which I have in Northeast Ohio.
Baker Creek Heirloom
Baker Creek sells heirloom and rare seeds. They have some really cool, super old varieties. They only sell packet sizes so I tend to only get seeds I know I will only use a few and can seed save from. Like watermelons, muskmelons and winter squash.
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers is an awesome non profit company working hard to save heirloom varieties. They keep a seed bank with over 20000 heirloom varieties. You can become a member and get exclusive seeds they don’t sell on their website. They also give away seeds to community education groups, schools, community gardens and provide some disaster relief to people.
Mountain Valley Seed Co.-True Leaf Market Seed
I have gotten some good seed from Mountain Valley Seed. They were acquired by True Leaf Market. I have not purchased since they became apart of true leaf market but the seeds I did purchase in the past were good quality and affordable. I have seen people post issues with sprouting since they switched over so keep that in mind if you decide to order there.
