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  1. #1
    Members 15mules's Avatar
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    list of seed suppliers

    I am interested in heirloom seeds for my AP system. I do not really want hybrid varieties if I can keep from it. So far i have found a few good sources in "Seed Savers" and "Seeds of Change". I have never bought from either, but they seem to have a good variety. I would be interested in anyone who has bought from them or anyone who has some other good source for seeds.
    Thanks
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  2. #2
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    define heirloom and hybrid

  3. #3
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    Heirloom, as in seeds that I can plant this year, keep some of the seeds, plant next year and get the same plant.
    Hybrid, as in a plant that has been crossed and you plant it this year and keep a seed and when you plant it next year it reverts back to a parent plant.
    Never show your ignorance, by thinking you know it all

  4. #4
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    Well, I would at least make sure to get strains that a resistant to disease in a commercial operation. For the backyarder, pffft, get them where they are cheapest, I say!

    Don't get caught up in the marketing jargon of heirloom, hybrid, organic, etc. What you think it means is not what they think it means, but what you think it means is what they want you to think it means.

  5. #5
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    UF, So in other words, you do not know of any good seed suppliers??
    Never show your ignorance, by thinking you know it all

  6. #6
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    I normally buy anything for personal use at farmers market's (local genetics are the best). If not, use online market places to find them. eBay, Amazon, and Google are all good market places where you can find family heirloom genetics directly from the people that represent true family "heirloom" varieties. It's a strange concept to be buying family heirlooms from a corporation, but that's the way marketing works nowadays!

  7. #7
    Members 15mules's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    UF,
    I really did not start this thread to get into the politics of what a seed should or should not be. I just figured it would be good to have a place where new members could come who are starting up systems and have a list of places available to buy seeds from. Not generalities, but names of stores that everyone would be able to access. Most of the times that is going to be internet sources. The truth is sometimes when people are just starting out, they do not know what will grow well for them.
    I know there are places out there that sell variety packs and assortments that can give someone lots of different choices of things to try. I have seen them before, but I just do not know any by name and was hoping there would be others willing to help add some names of places to this list.
    Never show your ignorance, by thinking you know it all

  8. #8
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    I'm not sure what the politics comment is for, but no matter. I will answer again since you want corporations:

    LOWES
    HOME DEPOT
    WARLMART
    HARBOR FREIGHT
    DOLLAR STORES
    CVS
    ANY GARDEN/HARDWARE STORE

    Most of these have an online store as well.

    I have seen heirloom and organic branded, brand new, in the package, seeds for 10 pennies at some of these stores. Heck, I've even bought some they were so cheap (you'd be surprised at the varieties between stores even in the same store chain). I once bought a pack of yellow heirloom habanero peppers for 25 cents. Whew, just threw those in as soon as I got home. Yummmm.

    Quite honestly though, going online to something like eBay, Amazon, or Google is going to be the next best thing other than getting "real" family heirloom varieties from farmers/gardeners in your local area that grow these things (unless you are looking for something rare or new and exciting, but starting out this is always BEST).

    I don't recommend heirloom varieties to beginners. This doesn't mean don't do it, but be ready to expect a more challenging garden. Likely, you can encounter more plant related issues, and this makes the learning curve more steep for most people. Heirloom varieties often lack disease resistance, drought and heat tolerance, greater light tolerance, and often yield far less and for far shorter than their commercially bred counterparts. Fruit size can also be much smaller, but not always. Strawberries, bananas, and pretty much any major crop species in production has a much smaller, weaker, but sometimes tastier, heirloom counterpart.

  9. #9
    Members 15mules's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    UF,
    Thanks for the info. I really had no idea you could buy seeds at Amazon? I thought they only sold book's and dvd's and such. I will try and look there. Have you bought seeds from e-bay? I have never bought much there. I was always a bit hesitant, as I had a few friends talk about having problems with sellers etc., so I just always kinda shied away from them.
    Never show your ignorance, by thinking you know it all

  10. #10
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: list of seed suppliers

    Quote Originally Posted by 15mules
    UF,
    Thanks for the info. I really had no idea you could buy seeds at Amazon? I thought they only sold book's and dvd's and such. I will try and look there. Have you bought seeds from e-bay? I have never bought much there. I was always a bit hesitant, as I had a few friends talk about having problems with sellers etc., so I just always kinda shied away from them.
    I have bought live plants, seeds, and even soil supplements from merchants from both marketplaces. I have had very few problems in the past, but the worst you get is a refund. Sometimes they go the extra mile and it's really great service. I have heard horror stories too, but most sellers are honest and customer service oriented. I always check the seller ratings though. Go with the folks with good reputations to be safe.

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