Where to Buy Seeds: My Favorite Small Businesses to Support
I’m a big advocate for shopping at small businesses as often as possible—afterall, I’m a small business owner myself! I especially like shopping at small businesses for garden seeds because these small businesses usually specialize in seeds grown in their local area. This means that seeds these businesses sell are more likely to produce and flourish in their particular climate. It’s so disappointing when you plan your garden and start your seeds indoors and nothing survives! Knowing where to buy seeds is essential to getting producing high quality and high yield plants.
Gardening small businesses also often carry heirloom seeds or specialty plants that you can’t find at big box stores. These gardening small businesses are essential to keeping heritage and rare seed varieties alive. The following are a few of my personal favorite small businesses to purchase seeds. If you’ve got other faves, leave a comment telling me!
Where to Buy Seeds: My Favorite Small Businesses
Truelove Seeds: Where to Buy Culturally Important Seeds
Truelove Seeds is a farm-based seed company offering culturally important and naturally pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Seeds from True Love Seeds are grown by more than 50 small-scale urban and rural farmers. At True Love Seeds you can find a range of interesting seeds that aren’t available other places like nya nya chungu (African eggplant), Malawi green bean and Hill Country red okra.
Uprising Organic: Where to Buy Seeds for the Pacific Northwest
Uprising Seeds is a small family-run, certified organic seed farm located in the Pacific Northwest—making them perfect for my garden! Their seeds feature the USDA organic seal for vegetables, flowers, herbs and grains. This company is a must-check if you are interested in organic growing and high-quality seeds. I’ve got my eye on the Alpine white strawberries and the “almost black” sweet peas this year.
Farmacie Isolde: Where to Buy Useful & Unusual Seeds
Farmacie Isolde is a New York based small business that features the usual vegetables, herbs and flowers. They also carry seeds to grow plants for very specific reasons like dye, plants for tea and medicinal reasons. I’m no stranger to a DIY dying project and I’d love to one day grow some of my own plants to experiment with new techniques. If you love boutique gardening and rare varieties, I recommend Farmacie Isolde for rare, useful and unusual seeds grown with organic and biodynamic methods.
Seed Savers Exchange: Where to Buy Heirloom, Community Saved Seeds
Seed Savers Exchange is a truly interesting concept. They are a nonprofit that works to regenerate, distribute and exchange seeds for heirloom plant varieties. It’s also one of the largest nongovernmental seed banks in the United States. Seed Savers is made up of a community of gardeners and seed stewards who share and swap unique varieties of seeds. When you choose seeds from the exchange, you are purchasing seeds from an individual in the Seed Savers network and continuing the growth of that seed variety. What a cool and important mission!
Territorial Seed: Where to Buy Guaranteed Seeds
Territorial Seed Company is a family-owned business established in 1979. Seeds from Territorial have a lot of benefits. For example, their seeds are organic-certified, have high germination standards and all of their seed varieties have been trialed and evaluated at their farm. This ensures that the seed are productive and hearty. Territorial Seed Company also offers a year-long guarantee from date of purchase.
Sow True Seeds: Where to Buy South Eastern Seeds
Sow True Seeds is small, employee-owned seed company based in Asheville, North Carolina. They focus on providing non-GMO, naturally pollinated seeds that are well-adapted to the Southeast region of the U.S. Sow True Seeds, in addition to carrying seeds, also supply cover crops, mushroom supplies, as well as bulbs and live plants. And if you are ever in need of a party or wedding favor, Sow True offers the ability to make custom seed packets. I love an eco-friendly gift option!
Eden Brothers: Where to Buy Seeds for Flowers
It’s tempting to go HAM on vegetables in your garden, but don’t forget about flowers, too! Flowers can help draw in pollinators to help pollinate your vegetables. Flowers are also just pretty and our gardens don’t always have to be full-on vegetable production machines. Eden Brothers specializes in seeds and bulbs for your cut flower garden. Notably, they carry wildflower seed mixes local to each state, perennial and annual bulbs. I’ve got my eye on these vintage-toned Dahlias.
Free Seeds: Bonus Tip
Seed Swaps & Seed Libraries
Have you ever heard of seed swaps or seed libraries? Seed swaps and seed libraries are community-driven programs that allow gardeners to exchange seeds. If you’re tight on cash, this can be a smart way to grow your garden without spending money. It’s also a way to build community in your area.
Seed Swaps are where local gardeners get together to exchange seeds. These events will vary from location to location, but check out local gardening groups or community centers for more information. If you’re in the Skagit County area, I highly recommend the Skagit-Whatcom Seed Swap!
Many libraries also offer seed libraries. These libraries allow you to take seeds home, plant them and return new seeds from your harvest with no cost to you. You can even check out other helpful things like a soil test kit!
Learning where to buy seeds can be an overwhelming task, but these small businesses will help you get started on your gardening journey. I’ve had a lot of success growing from these companies and each has my seal of approval. If you have any other favorite gardening small businesses, I want to hear about them below!
