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Both Ferry-Morse and Botanical Interests have solid reputations for quality seeds and reliable germination. As a home gardener, I don’t think choosing between the two is ultimately about which brand has better seeds, but more about what you’re specifically looking for in your gardening experience.
In this comparison of two reputable seed companies, I focused on the things that stood out to me most, including packet quality and growing information, variety selection, organic and non-GMO options, retail availability, and seed quality. Here’s how Ferry-Morse and Botanical Interests compared in my experience.
Packet Quality and Growing Information
Ferry-Morse
Ferry-Morse focuses on a simpler look. Their packets have an image of a real plant and the necessary information for sowing, such as days to germinate, depth, spacing, and days to harvest. While their packets are good quality, you don’t get as much information as with Botanical Interests, and for beginners, you may have to use the internet if you have questions.
I did find that Ferry-Morse’s site offered more information for beginners, however. The company runs a blog that goes more in-depth on seed starting, and they even feature recipes for ideas on what to do with your produce.
Botanical Interests
Botanical Interests really stood apart for me here. Their packets feature a beautifully detailed image of the plant along with lots of information to help you understand how to sow and harvest, botanical background, companion planting suggestions, and troubleshooting tips. For a beginner, it’s the kind of information that can answer a lot of questions without having to immediately turn to Google.
The helpful information doesn’t stop on the outside of the packet, either. Once you open it up, you’ll find even more growing tips inside the packaging. When I ordered a packet from them, they not only sent me a free packet of lettuce seeds but also included a seed-starting booklet.
The booklet covered topics like starting seeds indoors vs. outdoors, when to sow your garden, and how to understand the information on seed packets. It came completely free with my seeds, and I found the information genuinely helpful, especially for anyone who is new to starting seeds.
Winner: Botanical Interests
Variety Selection
Ferry-Morse
As far as variety goes, Ferry-Morse has the advantage here. They have tons of tried-and-true varieties for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, with several different collections including heirloom, organic, and wildflower mixes.
If you’re looking for something specific, Ferry-Morse is likely to have it, which makes the brand easy to count on. For example, I’ve been wanting to plant some catnip for my cats, and from my past experience buying Ferry-Morse seeds, I knew they would have them.
They also carry all the classic vegetable varieties you know and love. Think zucchini, broccoli, and carrots, all staples in my own garden. Where they really differ from Botanical Interests is their selection of hybrid seeds. Favorites such as “Better Boy” tomatoes and “Blue Lake” beans are varieties you wouldn’t expect to find with Botanical Interests.
Botanical Interests
Botanical Interests offers a more curated selection, with an emphasis on quality heirloom seeds rather than having the biggest selection possible. Similar to Ferry-Morse, they have all the garden vegetable classics along with some really pretty flower varieties.
This is great if you’re looking to plant some of your favorite common veggies, but as you start branching out or expanding your garden, you may find that they don’t have quite as many unique offerings. Some of their popular varieties include Black Beauty Summer Squash and Butterhead Lettuce.
Winner: Ferry-Morse
Organic and Non-GMO Positioning
Ferry-Morse
Both brands offer similar options when it comes to organic and non-GMO seeds.
Ferry-Morse has been non-GMO since 1856 and also offers organic varieties for gardeners looking for organic seed options. On their website, they have a page dedicated to their “Safe Seed Pledge” and the importance of integrity in agriculture.
From this page, I could tell that the company takes its commitment to carrying only non-GMO seeds seriously and is very open about its practices.
Botanical Interests
Similarly, Botanical Interests puts a strong focus on their third-party-tested, non-GMO seeds. Their packets have the Non-GMO Project Verified tag, giving you an easy way to identify their non-GMO options.
They also offer a collection of organic seeds with hundreds of varieties. As a gardener, I trust both of these brands to offer quality organic and non-GMO seeds.
Winner: Tie
Retail Availability
Ferry-Morse
Ferry-Morse has strong retail availability. You can find their seed packets in many big box stores right in your neighborhood, making them an easily accessible option for anyone looking to start a garden.
If you were in the middle of a project and realized you needed more seeds or a different variety, you can skip the hassle of shipping since they may be available right around the corner.
I was able to easily find some catnip seeds at my local Home Depot for a quick project I was working on. I’ve also seen Ferry-Morse products at Lowe’s and Walmart near me, so they seem to be a brand you can find in many big box stores.
Botanical Interests
Botanical Interests, on the other hand, has some retail availability in natural grocery stores and sometimes at local greenhouses or nurseries. Be aware that the selection tends to be limited.
It can be a hit-or-miss situation depending on where you live, so you may end up having to order their seeds online. In my experience, I wasn’t able to find their seeds in person at any of the stores near my home, but I was able to order them online and have them arrive within a few days.
Winner: Ferry-Morse
Seed Quality and Germination
Ferry-Morse
In this category, both brands have strong reputations for seed quality and germination. Both test their seeds before they go on the market to make sure customers are getting the quality they expect.
Ferry-Morse even offers a “Guarantee-to-Grow,” meaning you can return your seeds if they don’t perform as they should.
Germination success also depends a lot on proper storage and planting techniques. If you do your research and follow the growing and germination instructions on the back of the packets, I believe you can find success with both brands.
Botanical Interests
Botanical Interests also tests their seeds before they go on the market to make sure customers are getting the quality they expect.
Like Ferry-Morse, your success with these seeds will depend on things like how you store them and how you plant them. If you follow the germination instructions on the packet and give your seeds the right growing conditions, I believe you can find success with both brands.
Winner: Tie
Final Verdict
In the end, both Ferry-Morse and Botanical Interests offer quality seeds, and I had positive experiences with both brands. The decision really comes down to what you’re looking for as a home gardener.
If you’re looking for a brand that is easy to find, has a large variety of seeds, and doesn’t require as much planning ahead of time, Ferry-Morse is a great option. I especially liked that I could find their seeds at stores near me, and their larger selection made it easy to find both common garden vegetables and more specific varieties.
On the other hand, Botanical Interests is a good choice if you enjoy having more growing information right at your fingertips and prefer a smaller, more curated selection of heirloom seeds. I really appreciated the amount of information included with their packets, especially as someone who likes to learn more about what I’m growing.
Both brands have something different to offer. Ferry-Morse makes it easy to find a wide range of seeds, while Botanical Interests puts more emphasis on the overall growing experience and education that comes with each packet.