“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can tell this mountain move from here to there and it will move.”
When you buy seeds it sends this message, “I approve of what *insert seed company here* practices.” Our purchases give approval to their missions and methods. That’s bad if you’re buying from big corporations that choose profits over people, science over safety and big bucks over bio-diversity. Big seed corporations limit their seed selections. They sell popular hybrid seeds and limit or eliminate heirloom and organic choices. It limits diversity…and keeps you coming back each year to BUY more. Now corporations are developing GMOs, “genetically modified organisms”. They’re patenting their own seeds created by genetically combining plant DNA with material from sources it would never naturally cross with. Herbicides in seeds? YUP. Who wants to eat that?
What can we do? A LOT. By choosing WHERE we will spend our money and WHAT seeds we will buy . The sources listed below offer wide selections of sustainably-grown organic, heirloom, hybrid and NON-GMO herb, vegetable, grain and flower seed. They are grown by dedicated organizations and individuals committed to educating the public about the need for sustainability, plant diversity and growing organically. Start sending a different message to big companies, “We want responsible choices.” Do it for your families, for your future… together we can move mountains! (If you know of a seed-safe supplier that’s organic and GMO free please let me know, I’ll add it to the list!)
bbbseed (bbbseed.com) “beauty beyond belief heirloom vegetables and wildflower seeds” A family owned company in Boulder colorado specializing in the sale of high quality, open pollinated non-gmo seeds. They offer an extensive variety of wildflower and vegetable and herb seeds for any region throughout the U.S. including high altitude gardens.
Wildflower Farm (www.wildflowerfarm.com) was started in 1998 by a husband and wife team Miriam Goldberger and Paul Jenkins in Ontario. Dedicated to sustainability, they are a reliable source for wildflowers and native grasses as well as their own developed Eco-lawn. The focus is on low water, low maintenance, chemical and pesticide-free growing. Seeds and plants available. (No shipping for live plants.)
High Mowing Organic Seeds (highmowingseeds.com) is a Vermont based seed company dedicated to organics, sustainability and education of the public. Started by Tom Stearns in 1996 now a well loved resource for organic gardeners.
Fedco Seeds (fedcoseeds.com): A co-op located in Maine offering a wide selection of untreated flower, herb and vegetable seeds as well as trees, berries and shrubs. Site includes seed saving tips, planting charts and news you can use!
Seed Saver Exchange (seedsavers.org): Founded in 1975 and dedicated to sharing and preserving heirloom seeds. Memberships, events, news, tutorials and over 1,000 seed varieties are all available on the site.
Seeds of Change (seedsofchange.com): Offers certified organic seeds and plants for home and commercial growers as well as for fund raisers. Site includes tutorials and educational links.
Sustainable Seed Co. (sustainableseedco.com) Located in Petaluma, California. Offers organic vegetable and grain seed. Online and mail orders only.
Territorial Seed Co. (territorialseed.com)and (abundantlifeseeds.com) Organic flower, herb and vegetable seeds. Tips for growing and garden supplies are offered as well.
Underwood Garden/Terroir Seeds: (underwoodgardens.com) Organic heirloom flower, herb and vegetable seeds. Newsletter available.
Botanical Interest Seed: (botanicalinterest.com) Small, family owned company offering untreated, NON-GMO herb, flower and vegetable seed. (I LOVE the artwork on the packets!)
Victory Seed Co.: (victoryseeds.com) Small, family owned company dedicated to selling “rare, open-pollinated and heirloom seeds”. NON-GMO. Also offers news updates and on-site resources.
Renee’s Garden: (reneesgarden.com) Renee Shepherd’s (former owner Shepherd’s Garden Seeds) personal site. The emphasis is on untreated NON-GMO herb, flower and vegetable seeds (hybrid and heirloom/open-pollinated) hand selected by Renee for taste, color, performance etc. Site includes resources and recipes.
Baker Street Heirloom Seeds: (rareseeds.com) Offers rare open-pollinated, heirloom, NON-GMO seeds from over 70 countries. Site offers forums, history, a blog and events at their store in Missouri.
Amishland Heirloom Seeds: (amishlandseeds.com) Truly a “one-woman”show. Owned and operated by Lisa Von Saunder of country of Lancaster,Pa. She specializes in heirloom tomato seed varieties historic to her area of Pa., as well as a few other vegetables and flowers. (All organic and GMO free) Her site includes tips on seed starting and a few recipes, too.
Hudson Valley Seed Library: (www.seedlibrary.org) Dedicated to growing heirloom seeds for the Northeast with an emphasis on growing in NY. Memberships are available for a nominal fee and current season seeds returned to the bank earn credits toward future membership fees.
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