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As the seasons change, it can be tempting to think that it’s time to put the garden to bed. However, experience teaches us that part of winter prep is planning next year’s crop and making sure that the seeds we need are safely in our coffers. Also, there are those plants that need cold stratification- exposure to cold to break their natural dormancy, in order to venture forth in the spring. With these things in mind, it’s clear that now is a great time to start looking for seeds to get the ball rolling for next year.
Where to Begin
As with many things in our modern world, the problem isn’t having options; it’s teasing apart the good choices from the subpar. To be informed consumers, we need to be clear on what we’re looking for and why, and to discern sellers’ trustworthiness. Don’t worry, we’ve got you.
Defining Parameters
Even experienced gardeners can get their heads spinning when differentiating between seed types and trying to determine which are best for particular purposes. For clarity’s sake, let’s quickly go over the various types of seeds generally available:
Non-GMO
To be labeled non-GMO, seeds cannot contain genetically modified organisms whose DNA was altered in a laboratory. This means that genetic traits are not artificially engineered or transferred from an unrelated species.
Organic
To earn the organic designation, in addition to being non-GMO, these seeds must also meet strict regulations on synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, soil health, and animal welfare. That being said, this doesn’t dictate genetics. For example, hybrids can be organic. More on that later…
Heirloom
To qualify as heirloom, seeds must have stood the test of time, often dating from pre-industrial agriculture and demonstrating cultural heritage. In addition, they are open-pollinated, meaning that they are fertilized naturally by bees, birds, wind, or hand pollination. Finally, they must be true to type, ensuring the grower can reliably collect seeds and produce offspring that mimic the parent plant’s characteristics.
Hybrid
To be termed a hybrid means the seeds were deliberately cross-pollinated using two distinct parent varieties of the same species to produce offspring with desirable traits. This process can be done naturally, meaning that the plants can be organic and non-GMO. However, the seeds are considered F1 hybrids (first-generation offspring), and collecting them will result in later generations with random, inconsistent traits.
Best Places to Buy Seeds
Of the many options out there, the following six ranked highest based on non-GMO credentials, variety selection, price, and ease of access.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
This company has been around for over fifty years and is one of the nine original signatories of the Safe Seed Pledge, a thoroughgoing commitment to 100% non-GMO standards. Within their line-up, they offer over a thousand seeds, including organic, certified naturally grown, F1 hybrids, open-pollinated, and heirloom varieties. Their seeds come in small packets and have a high per-seed cost for backyard gardeners. Their bulk seeds are more affordable and offer a good option for commercial farms, especially because large orders qualify for free shipping. Johnny’s seeds are not widely available in physical retail stores, but they are available directly through their online catalog.
Best for: Avid gardeners and small-scale commercial farmers who order in bulk.
Baker Creek Heirloom
This company is a family-operated business established in 1998, a signatory of the Safe Seed Pledge, and the largest North American heirloom seed company. They do not offer organic seeds, but their entire line is untreated, non-hybrid, and free of chemical pesticides and synthetic treatments. Their catalog includes 1300 seeds, and their pricing is moderate. The premium you pay is for access to rare varieties, and they sweeten the deal with free shipping within North America. Baker Creek seeds are not widely available in stores, but you can order them directly through their online store.
Best for: Sustainability minded farmers looking for rare heirloom seeds.
High Mowing Organic Seeds
This company was founded in 1996 upon rigorous standards and high ideals. They are signatories of the Safe Seed Pledge, and their entire lineup is organic. Their catalog includes over 700 heirloom, open-pollinated, and hybrid seeds. They are moderately to slightly above average in price and offer free shipping on orders over $200. High Mowing seeds are available online and at hundreds of independent garden centers, co-ops, and hardware stores across North America and Canada.
Best for: Farmers looking for high-producing seeds who put a premium on organic.
Ferry-Morse
This company was founded in 1856 and has been selling seeds across the United States since then, making it the oldest operating seed company. A signatory of the Safe Seed Pledge, they are committed to a fulfilling and fruitful gardening experience and a sustainable future. Their catalog contains over 500 seed selections, including many organic and heirloom varieties. Their seeds are generally affordably priced, catering to any budget, with free shipping on purchases of $35 or more. Ferry-Morse seeds are widely available at retail outlets such as Walmart, where they are often even more inexpensive.
Best for: Gardeners looking for reliable, accessible, and affordable non-GMO seeds.
Renee’s Garden
This company has been delivering strictly non-GMO seeds for over thirty-five years. They are a signatory of the Safe Seed Pledge, and their seeds are sustainably sourced from small USDA-certified organic growers, family farms, and cooperatives. Their catalog includes 300-400 trial-tested seeds, including certified organic, non-organic heirloom, open-pollinated, and international hybrid varietals. Their seeds are moderately priced, and standard shipping prices apply. Renee’s Garden seeds are available online and in independent garden centers, hardware stores, and nurseries across North America.
Best for: Small-space urban gardeners looking for thoroughly trialed, creative, and gourmet seeds mixes.
Territorial Seed Company
This company was established in 1979 on the principle of offering viable seed varieties for gardeners west of the Cascades. They are a signatory of the Safe Seed Pledge and commit to offering only seeds proven to thrive and produce high-quality crops. Their catalog contains over 1100 varietals, all of which are non-GMO and free of fungicides and insecticides, and some of which are USDA certified organic. Their seeds are moderately priced; they offer discounts for bulk purchases and shipping for a flat fee of $8.95, so larger orders are more cost-effective. Territorial Seeds are not widely available, but you can buy them online and at some local independent nurseries.
Best for: Homesteaders, short-season or maritime farmers in northern climates.
The Takeaway
In the domain of organic and non-GMO seeds, there are many viable options, making a single clear winner difficult to select. The best option for you will be determined by your particular circumstances and need set. Therefore, you must examine your personal priorities.
If, for example, you are committed to 100% organic seeds, then High Mowing Organic Seeds is the standout in our line-up. If, however, you live in the Pacific Northwest and your main motivation is finding tried-and-true seeds that will perform in your region, then Territorial Seeds is probably your best bet. On the other hand, if accessibility and affordability are your main determining factors, then Ferry-Morse is the smart choice. In other words, the best place to get organic non-GMO seeds is the place that caters to your specific needs, and no one knows what those are better than you do.