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Avatar for love2garden2
Jan 11, 2025 1:31 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jan
Mid-Atlantic (Zone 7b)
Wondered what seed companies other gardeners liked, and have had good success with their seeds?

Snowy outdoors, cold, windy weather, warm sweater, hot tea, and a couple seed catalogs to peruse...

I was hoping to find some unusual coleus varieties to try this year. Last year I grew Burpee's 'Watermelon' coleus from seed which did well, but the more dramatic colors are only available in plants. Johnny's does not offer coleus seed, neither does Victory Seeds. I would like to try to grow Lantana from seed too, but have not found it anywhere.

I would appreciate your sharing your sources for seed - both veggie and flowers!
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Jan 11, 2025 1:53 PM CST
Mid Hudson Valley of N.Y. (Zone 6a)
Johnny's, Baker Creek sometimes. Some Burpee from the local big box stores (they usually have 40% off sales on seed!).
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Jan 11, 2025 2:00 PM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Baker Creek Seeds (free shipping), True Leaf Market and Victory Seeds are my favorites.

The Experimental Farm Network always has some fun seeds, all considered food crops and, its a non-profit. I purchased 12 Monkey Puzzle tree seeds from them and now have 10 healthy happy little trees but there's lots of other types of veggies and ornamentals. If you want the really weird, check them out.

Totally Tomato is good for tomatoes and peppers. I would prefer to get all my seeds in one place but that's not always possible if you want something really specific.
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Jan 11, 2025 3:57 PM CST
Kaneohe, Hawaii
I look for shipping costs. Park seed is now $2.95 for seeds only. I have used them for many years. I sometimes just want a few packets and high shipping is not worth it.

Baker Seed and Seeds 'n Such are also good.

Be careful of private vendors on Etsy and Amazon. The viability is not always good.
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Jan 11, 2025 5:13 PM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
And you don't always get what you paid for. I bought some Purple Flash pepper seeds on Etsy expecting a short wide tri-colored pepper plant. Instead I grew these skinny 3' tall peppers (but the leaves were tri-colored). I questioned the seller and she admitted her plants were open pollinated without the usual barriers to keep them from crossing because "I just don't have room for that." Hmmmm....
Avatar for oregonmarty
Jan 11, 2025 5:17 PM CST
Name: Marty
Oregon's Willamette Valley (Zone 8b)
Aroids Peonies Tropicals Bulbs Dahlias Hummingbirder
Lilies
My favorite is J. L. Hudson, Seedsman: small packets of seeds, small prices, and a very wide variety. A public access seed bank established in 1911, each spring I read their black and white catalog cover-to-cover. They carry many old varieties not found elsewhere. I order papaver somniferum seeds in bulk every year.

Outside Pride has a good selection, good prices, and I've gotten good results from seeds I've purchased. I order ricinus every spring, and their seeds are always much larger than those purchased elsewhere.
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Jan 11, 2025 5:20 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
It's been awhile since I've ordered seeds but in my opinion, two of the best are:
Victory Seed Company
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


Avatar for RpR
Jan 11, 2025 5:42 PM CST
Name: Dr. Demento Jr.
Minnesota (Zone 3b)
Go to a search engine and look up as many seed companie as you wish and send for their catalogs.
As a lot of companies I used to get have ceased to exist, I have once again started sending for seed catalogs, just for the sake of it.

It makes interesting viewing.
Last edited by RpR Jan 11, 2025 5:49 PM Icon for preview
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Jan 11, 2025 6:29 PM CST
Name: Arlene
Southold, Long Island, NY (Zone 7a)
Region: Ukraine Dahlias I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Houseplants Tomato Heads Garden Ideas: Level 1
Plant Identifier Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015
January is armchair gardening month.
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Jan 11, 2025 7:32 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
My favorites (in no particular order) - Victory, Territorial, Pinetree, Johnny's, Totally Tomatoes, Fedco, Seed Savers Exchange, Jung, Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, Park, Burpee, Select Seeds, Prairie Moon Gardens.

I agree with staying away from Etsy and Amazon for seeds, unless you happen to actually know something about the seller (or really like to gamble).
“The new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light –
if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
~Amanda Gorman~

C/F temp conversion
Avatar for love2garden2
Jan 11, 2025 7:55 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jan
Mid-Atlantic (Zone 7b)
Thank you for your suggestions, I will certainly check them out! I was hoping to get this type of input and recommendations.

I too have purchased seed directly from the internet -not from a reputable business and as a result had poor germination, and the plants that did sprout were weak. Definitely disappointing. What a difference quality seed makes!
Last edited by love2garden2 Jan 11, 2025 8:17 PM Icon for preview
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Jan 11, 2025 8:50 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Best wishes to everyone for a great gardening season! Smiling
“The new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light –
if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
~Amanda Gorman~

C/F temp conversion
Avatar for kreemoweet
Jan 11, 2025 9:00 PM CST
Name: K
Seattle, WA (Zone 9a)
Re the suggestion to "order their catalog": doing so may get you on their mailing list, and also possibly the mailing lists of numerous "affiliate" businesses. And just you try to get them to stop sending you their unwanted stuff! It is the rare reputable business that does not have an on-line catalog these days, with easy and secure on-line ordering.
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Jan 11, 2025 9:12 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I always order online - but I still love looking through the actual seed catalogs Smiling . (And yes - if you request a catalog from one or two companies you will almost certainly get catalogs from many more! )
“The new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light –
if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
~Amanda Gorman~

C/F temp conversion
Avatar for oregonmarty
Jan 11, 2025 9:13 PM CST
Name: Marty
Oregon's Willamette Valley (Zone 8b)
Aroids Peonies Tropicals Bulbs Dahlias Hummingbirder
Lilies
kreemoweet said: Re the suggestion to "order their catalog": doing so may get you on their mailing list, and also possibly the mailing lists of numerous "affiliate" businesses. And just you try to get them to stop sending you their unwanted stuff! It is the rare reputable business that does not have an on-line catalog these days, with easy and secure on-line ordering.

To me, nothing can compare with a paper catalog in my hand, with bright pictures and room to make notes about my garden dreams! Unwanted paper mail? Into the compost.
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Jan 11, 2025 9:46 PM CST
Name: Zoë
Albuquerque NM, Elev 5310 ft (Zone 7b)
Bee Lover Salvias Region: New Mexico Herbs Container Gardener Composter
Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Birds Enjoys or suffers hot summers
I believe you have to pay for Baker's Rare Seed catalogue, at least the big one, but omg, those photos! Worth every penny just for the entertainment value.
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Jan 11, 2025 11:57 PM CST
Name: Kat
Magnolia, Tx (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Dragonflies Hummingbirder Peppers Herbs Vegetable Grower
Heirlooms Moon Gardener Enjoys or suffers hot summers Winter Sowing Bookworm Container Gardener
7b, am not sure lantana survives in 7b... coleus does not mind being farther north, we have to have sun coleus plants to survive in S Texas, and shady spots. Do you see any sources near you? Harris Seeds in W Ny, Park Seeds in SC, Eden Brothers in NC., Mountain Rose Herbs in Eugene, Ore...
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Jan 12, 2025 1:26 AM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
NMoasis said: I believe you have to pay for Baker's Rare Seed catalogue, at least the big one, but omg, those photos! Worth every penny just for the entertainment value.


I was sent a Baker Creek catalog this year that I thought was HUGE - 160 pgs. But daughter tells me its the baby one, the big one has 500 or 600 pages!
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Jan 12, 2025 6:44 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener
Pinetreee seeds still sends me a yearly catalog, and this year was redesigned and a better layout (last year, not great)
Pinetreee and Johnny's - probably others if not many- have growing advice, making them a nice resource.
I have used Baker, Johnny's, Pinetree-

Baker has fascinating unusual fun stuff
Johnny's has lots of selection but may be more of a commercial grower site.

used Pinetree many years for the smaller packets and it is a smaller business-

this year used Victory. I don't need a lot of exotic choices, and I wanted to support Victory.
Plant it and they will come.
Avatar for RpR
Jan 12, 2025 1:27 PM CST
Name: Dr. Demento Jr.
Minnesota (Zone 3b)
kreemoweet said: Re the suggestion to "order their catalog": doing so may get you on their mailing list, and also possibly the mailing lists of numerous "affiliate" businesses. And just you try to get them to stop sending you their unwanted stuff! It is the rare reputable business that does not have an on-line catalog these days, with easy and secure on-line ordering.

In fifty plus years, I have never received "garden" catalogs other than those I ordered.
Now that they will keep coming for a long time depends on the seed company.
AT that.
I did keep getting online garden based Email from a company, that has several seed companies in its porfolio, and it had no unsubscribe area on any of its Emails.
It finally went away on its own.

Recently I must have filled out my email in a bogus -- fill out for free blah, blah ,blah -- as I get dozens of Emails that you cannot get rid of even with an Unsubscribe link.
Life goes on. I tip my hat to you.
Last edited by RpR Jan 12, 2025 4:08 PM Icon for preview

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