Your Favorite Seed Companies
Recently, I asked our Instagram community what their favorite seed companies are and why. I am happy to report we received a diverse selection of responses!
Nature and Nuture Seeds
“It’s important to have locally-adapted seed supply so I appreciate this small business.” – hundred.year.house
Nature and Nuture Seeds is located near Ann Arbor, Michigan on a 122 acre certified organic farm. Their heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, certified organic, non-GMO, and, best of all, Midwest adapted. They are proud to be an OSSI Partner. OSSI’s mission: to maintain fair and open access to plant genetic resources worldwide in order to ensure the availability of germplasm (seeds) to farmers, gardeners, breeders, and communities of this and future generations.
Johnny’s
“Wide selection, GREAT info! No one gives better info on germination times/tips, days to maturity, etc.” – @pobudafarm
According to Johnny’s website, “while growing vegetables for market at a small farm in New Hampshire, 22-year-old Rob Johnston recognizes an opportunity for a new kind of seed company — one that will identify the best-tasting and easiest-to-grow varieties and sell them to American gardeners. He calls his start-up company ‘Johnny Apple Seeds.'” Today, the employees own 100% of the company stock. Johnny’s offers an impressive variety of non-GMO, organic, hybrid, open-pollinated and heirloom seeds, and more. They are one of the original signors of the Safe Seed Pledge and we encourage you to read more about their seeds here.
Fruition Seeds
“Petra is informational. Plus they specialize in Michigan’s garden zones.” –
Fruition Seeds began in 2012 in Naples, New York. Petra and Matthew are dedicated to producing organic, regionally adapted seeds that will thrive in shorter growing seasons. According to their website, they “celebrate the flavors of heirlooms as [they] improve their productivity as well as seek out new varieties while developing [their] own to become the beloved heirlooms of future generations.”
What is your favorite seed company and why? Share with us below!
Written by Kendra
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co
“Heirlooms! So many varieties and they’re unmatched when it comes to vitamin content and flavor.” – @fishngypsy
Baker Creek Seeds was founded in the late ’90s by Jere Gettle, just seventeen years old at the time. The company offers the largest amount of heirloom fruits and vegetables in the United States and is proud to carry one of the largest selections of seeds from the 19th century, including many Asian and European varieties. Baker Creek sells only Open-Pollinated, Pure, Natural, and Non- GMO seeds.
Territorial Seed Co
“They have some amazing varieties!” @._blackbarnfarm_.
Based in Oregon, the mission of Territorial Seed Co 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.
Your Local Dollar Store
“Dollar Tree. They’re in areas of food deserts as well as suburban communities, seed packs are 4 for a dollar, and little known fact, you can buy them with SNAP/EBT benefits.” – @westsidedetroitfarm
Dollar Tree, Dollar General, whatever is closest to you… Seeds can be as low as 4/$1 as stated above and, at the end of the season, might even be as low as 10 cents. I personally have had great luck with seeds from the dollar store so don’t knock it until you try it!
Seed Savers Exchange
“Excellent mission, seeds, and connection with other gardeners.” – @hundred.year.house
“As a nonprofit, Seed Savers Exchange aims to conserve and promote America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants.” SSE has been operating since 1975. Learn more by visiting their website here.
MIGardener
“Affordable seeds with a great selection and good germination rate!” – @courtneystreet17
All of MIGardener’s seeds are sourced from small family seed farms throughout the United States and are non-GMO and organically grown. MIGardener has a storefront located in Port Huron where they offer seeds, supplies, and in-person events and classes. Learn more here.
Honorary Mentions
Adaptive Seeds – Certified organic, farm based seed company near Sweet Home, Oregon.
Alliance of Native Seedkeepers – Native-American owned, AoNSK is more than just a seed store, it’s a revolution. Unity cannot happen until we place our hands into the soil and feed each other.
Botanical Interests – Operating out of Colorado, Botanical Interests is a family-owned seed company offering over 600 non-GMO herb, flower, and vegetable varieties for the home gardener. Each seed packet is beautiful and offers more than enough information for you to have a successful harvest.
Fedco Seeds – A Maine-based cooperative specializing in hardy varieties.
Ferry-Morse – Ferry-Morse is one of the oldest seed companies in the United States, having been in operation since 1856. They guarantee fresh, non-GMO seeds and offer heirloom and organic varieties.
Floret Flower– Floret Flower is a family-run flower farm located in Washington and specializing in growing unique, uncommon, and heirloom flowers. We highly recommend that you check out the courses and workshops on their website!
High Mowing Seeds– High Mowing Seeds began in founder Tom’s Vermont backyard in the mid-1990’s. Since then, the company has grown exponentially but continues to source their varieties from Tom’s 40 acre property and independent seed farmers. Always organic, non-GMO. High Mowing Seeds was one of the original nine signors of the Safe Seed Pledge.
Kids Seed Co – Kids Seed Co encourages children to get their hands dirty in the garden. Non-GMO, kid-grown, saved, and sold seeds from North Carolina.
Native Seeds/SEARCH – Native Seeds/SEARCH seeks to find, protect and preserve the seeds of the people of the Greater Southwest so that these arid adapted crops may benefit all peoples and nourish a changing world.
Pinetree Garden Seeds – Pinetree Garden Seeds has been in operation for 40+ years and has a simple mission: provide affordable, quality seeds that grow.
Renee’s – Renee’s offers non-GMO seeds sourced from around the world; “time-tested heirlooms, certified organic seeds, the best international hybrids and fine open-pollinated varieties.”
Seed Mail Seed Co – Floridian “Mint2Grow” lovingly researches and collects seeds offered in her shop. Her determination to venture outside her gardening zone to grow “the impossible” is inspiring.
Seeds of Change – Founded in 1989,1% of profits goes towards projects that helps communities grow more of their own food. Their seeds are free of GMOs, organic, and sourced from trusted growers in the US.
Snake River Seed Co-Op – A collective of family farmers in the Intermountain West who work together to produce a wide diversity of locally-adapted seeds.
Sow True Seeds – Open-pollinated, heirloom, and southern seeds grown by Sow True Seeds in support of sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture.
Truelove Seeds – Truelove Seeds is a farm-based seed company offering culturally important and open pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds from across the United States.year.
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