I’d rather be an organic radish than an oregami rose.
-Sophia Zonderling
Unlike the single-season hybrid seeds sold at most garden stores, open-pollinated seeds allow you to save seeds from mature plants for the following spring.For those who want to save seeds from each harvest in order to replant stronger and better adapted seeds, open pollinated seeds are clearly the answer. Dozens of companies, part of a blossoming heritage seed movement now specialize in heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. The following online seed catalogs will provide both seeds and a bounty of information for the savvy self-educated urban-gardener.
NativeSeeds/Search provides access to a wide range of heirloom vegetable seeds including those introduced to the New World by the Spanish and those traditionally used by Native Americans in the Southwest.
Redwood City Seed Company, is a good source of heirloom pepper seeds as well as tips and images of pepper propagation.
Seeds of Change has a helpful website offering good descriptions and photos of every plant variety they sell. Suitable quantities for home gardeners and small farmers are available for a wide array of open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds.
Territorial Seeds maintains a well organized website offering an excellent selection of short-season vegetables as well as a valuable section devoted just to growing instructions.
The Victory Seed Company specializes in heirloom and open pollinated seeds and offers detailed descriptions of each variety.
The Cooks Garden s one of the biggest specialty seed companies online.The emphasis is on heirloom varieties with a huge selection of lettuces and chicories. Photographs and plant descriptions here are amongst the best on the net.
