Monsanto-free seeds

[Ani]

For anyone looking to purchase seed for next year, here is a list of some companies that sell seed free from Monsanto ties.

Sand Hill Preservation Center (http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/)
Seeds of Change (http://www.seedsofchange.com/)
Seed Saver's Exchange (http://www.seedsavers.org/)
Renee's Garden (http://www.reneesgarden.com/)
Baker Creek Seed Co. (http://rareseeds.com/)
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply (http://www.groworganic.com/default.html?welcome=T&theses=3453322)
Abundant Life Seeds (http://www.abundantlifeseeds.com/stores/1/index.cfm)
Underwood Garden Seeds (http://underwoodgardens.com/index1.php)
Bountiful Gardens (http://www.bountifulgardens.org/)
Kitchen Garden Seeds (http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/)
High Mowing Seeds (http://www.highmowingseeds.com)
Heirloom Acres Seeds (http://www.heirloomacresseeds.com/)
Garden City Seeds (http://www.gardencityseeds.net/)
Tomato Fest
Mountain Rose Herbs (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/)
Southern Exposure
Amishland Seeds (http://www.amishlandseeds.com/)
Tiny Seeds (http://www.tinyseeds.com/)
Local Harvest (http://www.localharvest.org/store/seeds.jsp)
Heirloom Seeds (http://www.heirloomseeds.com/)
Fedco Seed Co. (http://www.fedcoseeds.com/)
Diane's Flower Seeds (http://www.dianeseeds.com/Index.html)
Wood Prairie Farm (http://www.woodprairie.com/)
Victory Seeds (http://www.victoryseeds.com/)
Wildseed Farms (http://www.wildseedfarms.com/)
Horizon Herbs (http://www.horizonherbs.com/)
Heirlooms Evermore Seeds (http://www.horizonherbs.com/)
Richters Herbs (http://www.richters.com/)
Lake Valley Seeds (http://www.lakevalleyseed.com/)
Organica Seed (http://www.organicaseed.com/)

If any of the links are broken please let me know, and if you've researched any other companies and found they should be listed, do share :)

[Ani]

Also, here is a list of companies that have signed the Safe Seed Pledge by state:

http://www.gene-watch.org/programs/safeseed/sourcebook.html

[plantoneonme]

Great list.

[AbbeyLehman]

Wow, what a great resource!! Thanks, Ani! It works out great, too, since I wanted to start browsing for some neat varieties to try next year.

[Sinfonian]

That's great to hear about Territorial. I'd heard that they had had some dealings with Monsanto in the past, but I wasn't sure if they had anything from them now. Good to know. I got all my seeds from there last year and was planning on doing so again!

Thanks!

[gardengirl72]

Thanks you Ani for that list! I am a big fan of Baker Creek and Renee's Garden some of my favorite seeds and people.

[Sinfonian]

I just read an article from back in 2005 when Monsanto bought Seminis. Now they own countless popular varieties, including two I got from Territorial this year. Red Sails Lettuce and Early Girl Tomatoes. Early Girl, what else does one grow in a short season climate like the PNW? Heck, they were the only tomatoes to ripen for anyone I know outside cherry varieties. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR And Territorial signed the safe pledge. Guess it only applies to GMO varieties, not simply ones owned by Monsanto. Of course, when they own 40% of the world's seed, it's tough not to deal with them.

There otta be a law! Oh wait, there is one, it's called anti-trust legislation, but I guess it doesn't apply if half the people in government including one or more Supreme Court Justices worked for Monsanto at one time.

[Ani]

For Territorial - to the best of my knowledge they do sell Seminis, but also will provide you with a list of non-Seminis/Monsanto seeds.

Word on the street is that Seminis is providing less and less variety each year (typical, right?) and Territorial is trying to find suitable replacements.

I wish I knew what else you could grow. I don't have the same problem over here. If all else fails, could you try a few different varieties and save seeds from anything that ripens in time? Ideally in a few years you'll have your own early ripening variety.

[gardengirl72]

Mon Satan does it again.

[AbbeyLehman]

Yet another reason to save seed from year to year. :eek:

[Seasons Eatings]

Johnny's is phasing out Monsanto seeds as they find replacements!

[JudyH]

Word on the street is that Seminis is providing less and less variety each year (typical, right?) and Territorial is trying to find suitable replacements.

Oh man.... this is one of the best reasons that I've heard for people to start saving their own seeds.

[MoniDew]

THANK YOU for this great topic and great list!!!!

[carmin]

I just spent a few hours looking through the tomato seeds available at Tomato Fest before placing an order. They have hundreds of tomato seeds. Tomato Fest has a listing for cooler climate tomatoes. Also, Seed Savers has quite a few. I live in Minnesota and grow tomatoes with no problem although we have a very short season. Some even survived a couple of frosts this year.

[wyogardener]

Hey Sinfonian -

I'm a little late to this discussion, but I wanted to suggest that you check out High Altitude Gardens and Seeds Trust. They specialize in short season varieties and have a bunch of tomatoes. I did great with Early Girl last year, but given that I want to avoid Monsanto, I'm going to try a couple of new varieties next year. My growing season is very short, although definitely a different climate than you - we're high and dry - but thought you might want to take a look.

Wyogardener

[MeredithB]

For anyone down-under (New Zealand or Australia)
http://www.koanga.org.nz/

[gardengirl72]

Thanks Meredith. Please let us know if you come across any others.

[Growing Boy]

Might I just add
http:///www.jlhudsonseeds.net/index.htm
and
http://www.nativeseeds.org/
to the list.
I've been involved with both for years and both are highly reputable.

[iheartcabbage]

Heirloom Vegetable Seed Warehouse (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Heirloom-Vegetable-Seed-Warehouse__W0QQ_armrsZ1) - an Ebay store

Vegetable Seed Warehouse (http://www.vegetableseedwarehouse.com/paypal.html)

[NaturalDesignChick]

An updated list of companies who have taken the pledge can be found (scroll down) on the Take Action page (http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/Help/TakeAction.aspx) of the Council for Responsible Genetics.

[daddylonglegs]

What does this mean? I read the link, why are the seeds altered? Is it supposed to make them better? Obviously the feeling here is that it is not good. It's got to be expensive to do this to seeds, could it be more profitable? Doesn't seem to make sense.
I've got a lot to learn I guess.
DLL

[Cynthia]

I'm no expert on this but I can tell you some of the problem.

seeds can be genetically modified to make them more resistant to various things, which sounds good. One thing Monsanto did was make their corn seeds resistant to roundup - which meant that fields could be sprayed with roundup and not kill the corn. Herbicides and pesticides still get into the corn, and passed on to you and me and animals, etc. BTW - Monsanto owns Roundup...

Another issue is that genetically modified seed can be changed so that you can't save seeds and replant - the seeds won't be viable. So you have to go back to the company next season and buy more seeds.

This is a huge issue and very hotly debated. I'd suggest doing some research on your own - Barbara Kingsolver does a good job explaining GMO in her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Cynthia

[daddylonglegs]

It never ceases to amaze me how greedy some people can be.
Thanks for the reply

[daddylonglegs]

I received a Stokes Seed catalog today. Are they good to buy from?

[Cynthia]

I find it pretty difficult to tell who sells GMO sees and who doesn't. I would look for organic seed, heirloom seeds, and use that list at the top of the thread to help guide your purchase.

[Sinfonian]

Unfortunately, you can technically grow GMO seeds organically. Therefore I look for a statement on GMO seeds in catalogues or websites.

Heirlooms can't be GMO, but they aren't always organic. Confused yet? Your best bet is heirloom organic. However, I've found the tradeoff of disease to be a bit much with heirlooms. I'm on the fence with some varieties of tomatoes as a result.

[flatlander]

Sinfonian said "However, I've found the tradeoff of disease to be a bit much with heirlooms. I'm on the fence with some varieties of tomatoes as a result."

I'd be interested to hear what problems you've had and how much experience you've had with heirloom tomatos. My experience has been that most disease problems are a result of poor cultural practices, to much synthetic fertilzer, etc and not due to some weakness in heirloom plants. Once I figured that out, in the last 30+ years of growing both heirlooms and hybrids I can't ever recall a disease problem with either.

[Seasons Eatings]

Unfortunately, you can technically grow GMO seeds organically. Therefore I look for a statement on GMO seeds in catalogues or websites.

Organic growing does not allow genetic engineering.