
It’s getting late in the season to order seeds, but since there’s renewed interest in gardening this year due to the Coronavirus, I thought I’d share my recommendations for seed companies. I’m sure there are great ones I don’t know about; these are just ones that I’m familiar with from my own organic farming and gardening. Not everything that all these companies offer is open-pollinated or organic, but there’s a place for hybrids, and “organic” can start with you.
Adaptive Seeds
Sweet Home, Oregon. Motto: “Bringing Biodiversity Back.” An amazing selection of open-pollinated varieties from around the world. I met the founders back in 2010, when I was a farmer myself. They’re young people, trying to make a positive difference in the world. Especially good for PNW growers.
Wild Garden Seed
Philomath, Oregon. Motto: “Ecological Crop Improvement For and By Farmers.” They feature many “farm originals” that they develop themselves. Famed vegetable breeder Frank Morton is part of this operation. These people are best for their mixes, from which you can select for your own varieties. Especially good for PNW growers.
Strictly Medicinal Seeds (formerly Horizon Herbs)
Williams, Oregon. They claim “best-ever organic medicinal herb seeds, highest quality and reasonable prices!” and I won’t argue with that. This is where to for medicinal herb seeds and plants. Founder Richo Cech has traveled around the world to build his amazing collection, and is well-versed in the science of herbal medicine. One of the highlights of my farming years was visiting their farm and getting a tour from Richo himself.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Mineral, Virginia. Specializes in open-pollinated and heirloom varieties and works with small local farmers to produce their stock. These are real down home folks. Especially good for growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
Uprising Seeds
Based out of Bellingham, Washington, this small family-run company offers 100% organic seeds. They have real integrity and their commitment to sustainability is the real thing, not just a marketing slogan. Great selection.
Siskiyou Seeds
A southern Oregon company specializing in open-pollinated & heirloom varieties. They grow much of their selection on their Williams farm, and also work with a network of local farmers to produce their impressive selection.
Franchi Seeds
An Italian seed company with a US distributor based in Lawrence, Kansas. Italian plant breeders are famous for producing varieties with great flavor and aesthetics, and Franchi offers things you won’t find anywhere else. Few of their selections are organic, but their seed packets are generously packed and nicely priced.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Maine. A favorite supplier of market-growers. Large selection of veggies, herbs & flowers, and a variety of options for quantity, from packet to pound. As a bonus, they’re 100% employee-owned.
NOT recommended:
Baker Creek has gotten big in the last few years; too big, and too fast, in my opinion. Yes, they have the most beautiful seed catalog in the business but their seed quality doesn’t measure up to it. I ordered and planted out a lot of varieties from Baker Creek when I was a farmer, and their seeds were bunk more often than any other seed company, by far. My most recent negative experience was 2020, when some melon seed from them produced two different varieties (making it impossible to save pure seed). Plus, they started selling a traditional Native American variety of winter squash that they were specifically asked not to, as its keepers didn’t want it monetized. Not cool, guys.