Are you wondering where to buy heirloom, organic, and non-GMO seeds? Below you will find a simple guide on some keywords on seed packaging and where to purchase quality seeds.
First, let’s talk through some buzzwords you may see when purchasing or researching seeds.
Organic
Organic seeds are those that are grown and produced following a set of standards set by the USDA’s National Organic Program. Seeds with an organic label indicate the parent plant is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GMO seeds.
Seeds that don’t have an organic label do not necessarily mean the seeds are not organic. It is very expensive to certify products as organic and likely a smaller company may not be able to afford those additional costs.
Heirloom versus Hybrid
Heirloom
Heirloom refers to a plant or variety that is older than 50 years and has been either open-pollinated or self-pollinated. According to Seed Savers, “Heirloom” describes a seed’s heritage, specifically a documented heritage of being passed down from generation to generation within a family.
One benefit of purchasing heirloom seeds is that you can save the seeds and plant them again the following season. There is nothing inherently superior about heirloom seeds unless you have an interest in saving seeds.
Hybrids
Hybrids are the result of crossing pollen between plants to encourage a trait. Hybrids are selectively bred to add one or more traits to a plant such as disease resistance, higher yield, flavor, acclimation, and shelf stability. The drawback of a hybrid plant is you are unable to save the seeds for future use.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
GMO seeds are produced in a laboratory versus an open field. GMO seeds are not natural products and scientists modify the seeds to produce desired characteristics.
Let’s clear something up regarding GMO seeds. Roughly all seeds that are available to consumers are non-GMO. GMO seeds require additional paperwork and costs in to sell to the general public. Additionally, there is no market for GMO seeds for home gardeners. Heirlooms, open-pollinated, and hybrids can all be non-GMO.
10 Sources to Buy Heirloom, Organic, and Non-GMO Garden Seeds
Here is a roundup of the top places to purchase high-quality seeds for your garden.
Heirloom Seeds
Bakers Creek Heirloom: Long-standing company widely known in the gardening community. Seeds may be a bit more expensive, however, this company offers quality seeds and hard-to-find varieties are available.
Victory Heirloom Seeds: Victory Seed Company offers open-pollinated, non-GMO, non-hybrid, heirloom seeds to home gardeners.
Mary’s Heirloom Seeds: This is a small independent company, that offers high-quality seeds at reasonable prices. Selection is not as robust as others.
Wilhite Seeds: Willhite Seed is a Texas company that has been in business for over a century. Sells a variety of heirloom seeds.
MI Gardener: Offers are a large variety of 700+ heirloom seeds. Large selection of berries, flowers, and vegetables.
Certified Organic Seeds
Uprising Seeds: This small, family-owned farm has an impressive selection of both veggies and flowers. All seeds are 100% certified organic.
Seed Savers Exchange: Best source for bulk purchasing. Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit that has more than 300 certified organic seed options to choose from. Many options are available in bulk.
Southern Seed Exposure: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange offers about 800 varieties of seeds including vegetables, flowers, herbs, grains, and cover crops. They emphasize varieties that perform well in Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Over 600 varieties are certified organic.
High Mowing Organic Seeds: High Mowing commits to furthering organic agriculture. They have a large variety of reliable and reasonably priced organic seeds. Their catalog features 700+ heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of vegetables, fruit, herb, and flower seeds.
Botanical Interest: Botanical Interest has been around for more than 25 years. They offer both heirloom and organic seed varieties at an affordable price. A large variety of flowers are available.
Other Seed Options
Local nurseries: You can find a lot of great options at local nurseries.
Local seeds co-op: There are many smaller seed cooperatives across the nation. It may surprise you what you can find right in your area, simply do a quick search or ask around local gardening groups and nurseries.
Group buys: Many sites will allow for bulk seed orders. If you get a large enough group together, you can buy seeds at a discounted rate.
