Spoiler alert! This post is a definite “plug” for several seed companies. I have finally learned how important it is to use only good quality seed. There’s a really interesting article about seed companies and it got me thinking about the successes and failures I’ve experienced in my different gardens over the years.
Because we want to be as self sufficient as possible, the goal is to save all our own seed. I buy most of my seed online right now but, occasionally, when I fail to keep up with my on-hand inventories, I make an emergency purchase at a local hardware, home improvement or big box store. And sometimes — and I know there are lots of you folks out there who can relate — I simply can’t pass by a seed rack without some of the packets “jumping” into my hands. Really, it’s the weirdest thing!
But this year, I’m regretting some of those impulse purchases. For the first time, because I’m simply homesteading and not working a million hours at a job, I am really paying attention to what seed was planted and how it grew. Hands down, most of the seed that was purchased at a big box retail store or a home improvement store were (in my humble opinion) inferior to what came from one of the well known online seed companies. In a pinch, a local hardware store that sells organic, heirloom seed in bulk would be my second choice, but I won’t ever buy any more seed from home improvement or retail chain stores. The proof is in the rate of growth and the quality and quantity (or lack thereof) of the veggies I have harvested this year.
A “best of all worlds” choice (again, IMHO), would be organic, heirloom seed purchased from a reputable online seed company whose seeds were produced nearest to your location. I’m delighted to have found a couple of companies that match that criteria. If you check the above link to the article in Mother Earth News, you might find that one of reputable companies they list is near you. I’ve used a number of those companies over the years and have been very happy with the results. I currently use three of the companies listed — one for my microgreens seed that I buy in bulk, and two others for my garden seed. And, from now on, those will be the only companies I use. No more seed packets mysteriously showing up in my shopping cart at a store. No more sickly plants producing puny vegetables. I want to eat large and I want to eat well and feed my family and friends the same way. Looks to me like the seed we buy is critical to that end.
PS: Nope, I don’t get any reward for recommending a seed company. Come on, admit it; you were thinking it . . .you know you were.
