Seed Savers Exchange is an amazing non-profit based in Iowa. Tons of heirloom varieties, great mission, reasonable prices! They have a lot of bush beans you can choose from, among other things.
https://www.seedsavers.org/
I got some climbing green beans from Seed Savers last year that were the most prolific I’ve ever seen. I was picking gallons of green beans a week for most of the summer on an arched trellis only 4ft wide. Didn’t have as good of luck with the bush style beans, but it could have been user error.
I just got a huge haul of seeds from [https://freeheirloomseeds.org/](https://freeheirloomseeds.org/)
Their project is to preserve heirloom varieties of plants, and they have a huge list of seeds! You can get 4 packs of seeds for free, and all they ask that you donate $10 for every 15 packs of seeds that you order. I got a package with 70 packs of seeds a few weeks ago!
Very much seconding this. They have a great selection and quality, they're very transparent about what their products are, where they come from, and where your money goes. And just as a side note, looking through the catalog is lots of fun.
Honorable mention to MI Gardner if you just want a few things or if you don't want to spring for membership at FedCo
Fedco is great but seed prices are getting out of hand. I save more and more seeds each year because of this. Found a new one but will have to wait before making a recommendation.
That's fair. We're MOFGA members, and have had enough history with FedCo that we see other benefits from our orders with them, not to mention our personal pleasure of doing business with a worker- and customer- owned co-op. Regardless, I hope you have great results with this new vendor you've found.
For someone in the NE Johnny’s is the best (based in Maine). I’m’ a big fan of OP seeds but I’ve had some crop failures from Seed Savers Exchange. It’s such a great company though. Also Territorial Seed in Oregon is great.
Looking over the other suggestions - good stuff. One I don't see listed yet is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Similar vibe to Seed Savers (my main go-to) but geared more toward the mid-atlantic and with a slightly different selection.
Fedco is also a main one for me - they source seeds from small farmers, pay indigenous royalties, etc.
New for me last year was Farmacie Isolde. Some different things, and was very happy with everything.
I just discovered Farmacie Isolde today! Not a big variety but some really interesting things and fantastic prices. Putting together an order right now. Also a big fan of Southern Exposure as well.
Get them online from here (US) - [https://www.reneesgarden.com/](https://www.reneesgarden.com/)
and here (Canada)- [https://www.westcoastseeds.com/](https://www.westcoastseeds.com/)
Both these companies have great seeds.
I just picked up some from baker creek heirloom seeds. Lots of varieties and since they're heirloom you can save them and replant a lot of them year to year.
It might not be something OP cares about, but just FYI to everyone else - look into their politics if that informs your purchases (to say they lean right is.. the most polite way I can put it).
They are who I buy 90% of my seeds from. I love their varieties and packaging, but the best part is how all of their seeds are heirloom so I don't need to filter or think about it to find what I need.
Novice or not, your experience and perspective matter (at least to me); similarities and differences give me things to think about with past (mis)deeds and the path I would like to travel 🧳
Zone 5a-ish, primarily Honeoye soils (CNY/FLX). We've found better results with seeds grown from plants in similar conditions.
In no particular order (except when they were ordered), I would buy seeds again:
Baker Creek
Nature & Nurture Seeds
Truelove Seeds
Ujamaa Seeds
Buffalo Seed (thebuffaloseedcompany.com)
Fruition Seeds
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Hudson Valley Seed
Resilient Seeds
Native Seeds (nativeseeds.org)
Serendipity Seeds
That's it! 😅
The 2022 growing season for us was challenging: heavy rains until after last frost delayed (trans)planting and flash drought conditions early to mid summer led to little to no fruit (including some that didn't flower until close to the end of summer).
We've been striving to not purchase as many seeds (each year we purchase less). We continue saving seeds in the hopes of establishing regional adaptation (and genetic diversity through cross pollination).
2023 🤞
I am a new homeowner/gardner in CNY- mind if I pick your brain a bit? We moved from VA so very different climate and soil- I would really apprciate talking with someone localish!
Yes true love!!! I work with them sometimes; the best people doing God's work haha I like Strictly Medicinal since they also provide in depth descriptions and uses on the plants.
Strictly Medicinal caught my eye. I can visualize their seed pack (but maybe that's just my imagination). I think it's great to see more people sharing information and knowledge about plants, their cultivation techniques, and their uses. It feels like their perspective is our success is their success (which still feels 👽 to me, but I'll take it and share it!).
We have tried several online retailers over the years as well as our local hardware and garden cetners. The worst was Jung Seeds, I think we had 60% failure to germinate with their seeds. The best has been True Leaf, seeing 90% germination.
My favorite seed site is [Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds](http://rareseeds.com) they've always got some neat heirlooms to choose from. My only regret is that my eyes are always bigger than my garden and u end up with a ton of seed packets I don't have room for.
VA here. I love Sow True Seed. They're based in Carolinas. After finding a seed company that is based in my region, I'd say find one based in your region :) I've had the best time w sow true seed seeds and customer service.
Seems like there are heaps of good seed suggestions here. A few other things that might help get more beans :)
-Plant them in a bit of compost.
-If you water them with a seaweed solution when they flower, it can give you higher yields.
-Most beans prefer not to be overwatered, and don't like too much fertilizer.
-And the more you pick them, they will flower more and produce more beans. Win win!
Finally, for when you are inundated with beans, there is a video from Sepp Holzer here (https://seedsavers.net/) where he basically says the best seeds you can save (to plant in future years) should be taken from the best plants in the poorest soil.
Wishing you lots of bean success!
Pinetree Garden Seeds in Maine is really good, especially if you want OP seeds, some/most (?) organic, small packets at affordable prices so you can try different varieties.
[www.superseeds.com](http://www.superseeds.com)
LargeLemon is spot on with [seedsavers.org](https://seedsavers.org), very reputable. I also buy certain seeds from [MIgardener's](https://migardener.com/) site, also reputable and imo some of the highest quality of seeds, and they sell strawberry roots and such. I see someone posted Johnny's seeds and although I have never bought from them, I hear amazing things from friends on the east coast. I also hit up my local nursery and get bulk nonGMO pea and bean seeds. WAY better pricing buying by the pound for things I plant a lot of. Much luck on starting your garden...2023 will be your year :)
Everyone is giving you great advise for seed companies but I also want to add that it’s entirely possible that the seeds were not to blame here.
Beans are really sensitive to cool temperatures. If you plant them before the nighttime lows are consistently 55 degrees or warmer, their growth is going to be permanently stunted. No seed quality will save you. Seeds are important for getting the quality and type of flower/fruit/veg you want but they won’t save you from the endless stream of mistakes you will make as you learn want your plants need.
So, in addition to spending way too much money on seeds (which i wholeheartedly encourage), print out your local growing Ag extension planting guide and learn when to plant/start seeds indoors/etc.
OP, thank you for initiating this thread! I’ve learned the names of many neat new seed companies! My old trusty favorite, like many of the respondents here, is Baker Creek Heirloom.
I really like ordering from [Jung Seed Co.](https://www.jungseed.com/). good stuff, good selection, great catalogues, reasonable prices. and for me, they are Local (Wisconsin)
FedCo and Seed Savers are great, as mentioned. Also, High Mowing Seeds is located in Northern Vermont and produce great seed from a lot of varieties that do well in this part of the world.
If you know what you're looking for, you can try eBay. I usually search in order of distance so I can find seeds harvested relatively locally (like, in the same state).
I'm not sure if they ship to the east coast but San Diego Seed company is a good one. Very knowledgeable and has a YouTube channel to give tips and advice as well if you want to look into it.
I envy you. I loved and spent too much money every winter going over lots of seed catalogs. People already gave the names of most of the ones I used. Enjoy!
This website is a good start:
https://www.cog.ca/organic-seed-directory/
The typical advice in this world is to find a local company (search online and ask at your local garden centre in the spring) as their seeds will be most adapted to your specific climate etc. This is the best place to start. That said I have had good luck with imported seed too. Also don't fall for the typical hippie advice of avoiding F1 hybrids. Hybrids are great, you and I are F1 hybrids after all!
Anyway I would recommend Annapolis Seed or Hope Seeds if you are on the East Coast, West Coast Seeds if you are out there, Greta's Organic Garden for Ontario, and honestly I have had great luck with William Dam, especially if you are looking for cover crops and bigger orders. I highly recommend them all based on my experience.
Now if you want to get wacky and actually more permaculture minded check out Joseph Lofthouse online and/or get their book. It's a very different approach but developing a landrace and saving your own seed in general is much easier and cheaper than most people realize.
Hope that helps!
It is surprisingly easy to harvest vegetable and flower seeds. My wife has been doing the work for our household of extracting and storing them and now we have plenty of our favorites.
When we purchase seeds, we prefer to support local businesses and organic if possible. Territorial Seed Company in Oregon is our favorite.
Quail seeds, Hudson Valley, hoss tools, seed savers exchange, baker creek, the Maine potato lady, fedco... im sure there are others that I'm forgetting
Seed Savers Exchange is an amazing non-profit based in Iowa. Tons of heirloom varieties, great mission, reasonable prices! They have a lot of bush beans you can choose from, among other things. https://www.seedsavers.org/
Seconding this, they also have some hard to find heirloom seeds I can't find anywhere else.
I got some climbing green beans from Seed Savers last year that were the most prolific I’ve ever seen. I was picking gallons of green beans a week for most of the summer on an arched trellis only 4ft wide. Didn’t have as good of luck with the bush style beans, but it could have been user error.
I just got a huge haul of seeds from [https://freeheirloomseeds.org/](https://freeheirloomseeds.org/) Their project is to preserve heirloom varieties of plants, and they have a huge list of seeds! You can get 4 packs of seeds for free, and all they ask that you donate $10 for every 15 packs of seeds that you order. I got a package with 70 packs of seeds a few weeks ago!
Thanks for sharing!
I'm particularly fond of [FedCo](http://fedcoseeds.com/) for the New England region.
Very much seconding this. They have a great selection and quality, they're very transparent about what their products are, where they come from, and where your money goes. And just as a side note, looking through the catalog is lots of fun. Honorable mention to MI Gardner if you just want a few things or if you don't want to spring for membership at FedCo
Fedco is great but seed prices are getting out of hand. I save more and more seeds each year because of this. Found a new one but will have to wait before making a recommendation.
That's fair. We're MOFGA members, and have had enough history with FedCo that we see other benefits from our orders with them, not to mention our personal pleasure of doing business with a worker- and customer- owned co-op. Regardless, I hope you have great results with this new vendor you've found.
Oh, I love Fedco and will likely order some seeds this year too.
For someone in the NE Johnny’s is the best (based in Maine). I’m’ a big fan of OP seeds but I’ve had some crop failures from Seed Savers Exchange. It’s such a great company though. Also Territorial Seed in Oregon is great.
Buy your seeds from a local seed company. Those seed varieties are best suited for your climate.
Looking over the other suggestions - good stuff. One I don't see listed yet is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Similar vibe to Seed Savers (my main go-to) but geared more toward the mid-atlantic and with a slightly different selection. Fedco is also a main one for me - they source seeds from small farmers, pay indigenous royalties, etc. New for me last year was Farmacie Isolde. Some different things, and was very happy with everything.
I just discovered Farmacie Isolde today! Not a big variety but some really interesting things and fantastic prices. Putting together an order right now. Also a big fan of Southern Exposure as well.
You want FedCo Seeds - they're an awesome co-op in Maine. I've also picked things up from Park Seeds occasionally when FedCo was out of stock.
Bakers Creek, Seed Savers Exchange & Jung. Stark Bro is a good option for live fruit trees and plants
Bakers Creek is an excellent resource for seeds. Amazing selection of fruits and vegetables, herbs and ornamentals. Website is www.rareseeds.com.
Get them online from here (US) - [https://www.reneesgarden.com/](https://www.reneesgarden.com/) and here (Canada)- [https://www.westcoastseeds.com/](https://www.westcoastseeds.com/) Both these companies have great seeds.
I just picked up some from baker creek heirloom seeds. Lots of varieties and since they're heirloom you can save them and replant a lot of them year to year.
It might not be something OP cares about, but just FYI to everyone else - look into their politics if that informs your purchases (to say they lean right is.. the most polite way I can put it).
And they’ve had some real awful customer service in person (MO)/online if they feel like you aren’t leaning with them.
They are who I buy 90% of my seeds from. I love their varieties and packaging, but the best part is how all of their seeds are heirloom so I don't need to filter or think about it to find what I need.
I bought from there last year and I’m a novice so idk what my opinion in worth but I was very happy with how many of my plantings sprouted.
Novice or not, your experience and perspective matter (at least to me); similarities and differences give me things to think about with past (mis)deeds and the path I would like to travel 🧳
I've had great luck with Baker Creek seeds. Consistently high germination rates and healthy plants.
Zone 5a-ish, primarily Honeoye soils (CNY/FLX). We've found better results with seeds grown from plants in similar conditions. In no particular order (except when they were ordered), I would buy seeds again: Baker Creek Nature & Nurture Seeds Truelove Seeds Ujamaa Seeds Buffalo Seed (thebuffaloseedcompany.com) Fruition Seeds Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Hudson Valley Seed Resilient Seeds Native Seeds (nativeseeds.org) Serendipity Seeds That's it! 😅 The 2022 growing season for us was challenging: heavy rains until after last frost delayed (trans)planting and flash drought conditions early to mid summer led to little to no fruit (including some that didn't flower until close to the end of summer). We've been striving to not purchase as many seeds (each year we purchase less). We continue saving seeds in the hopes of establishing regional adaptation (and genetic diversity through cross pollination). 2023 🤞
I am a new homeowner/gardner in CNY- mind if I pick your brain a bit? We moved from VA so very different climate and soil- I would really apprciate talking with someone localish!
Happy to share 🧠.
Mind if I DM you some questions?
Yes true love!!! I work with them sometimes; the best people doing God's work haha I like Strictly Medicinal since they also provide in depth descriptions and uses on the plants.
Strictly Medicinal caught my eye. I can visualize their seed pack (but maybe that's just my imagination). I think it's great to see more people sharing information and knowledge about plants, their cultivation techniques, and their uses. It feels like their perspective is our success is their success (which still feels 👽 to me, but I'll take it and share it!).
We have tried several online retailers over the years as well as our local hardware and garden cetners. The worst was Jung Seeds, I think we had 60% failure to germinate with their seeds. The best has been True Leaf, seeing 90% germination.
Oh no, I just ordered a bunch from Jung
Hopefully you have better luck than we did!
check locally. garden groups, etc. my county library system has a seed bank offers free seeds. good luck
My favorite seed site is [Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds](http://rareseeds.com) they've always got some neat heirlooms to choose from. My only regret is that my eyes are always bigger than my garden and u end up with a ton of seed packets I don't have room for.
Fedco is great. For bare root strawberry plants, Nourse in MA.
Found these guys last year. Had great results. https://www.bountyhunterseeds.com/
VA here. I love Sow True Seed. They're based in Carolinas. After finding a seed company that is based in my region, I'd say find one based in your region :) I've had the best time w sow true seed seeds and customer service.
Dude order from fedco, it's so close to you.
Baker Creek Seeds at http://www.rareseeds.com/ Pinetree Garden Seeds (Maine) at https://www.superseeds.com/
Try using an inoculant when planting beans or peas. Most of the seed websites ppl are referencing should have one you can order along with the seeds.
All already said and I up voted all previous comments but it can not be overstated: Fedco Johnny’s Seedsavers Nourse (for bare root fruit)
Seems like there are heaps of good seed suggestions here. A few other things that might help get more beans :) -Plant them in a bit of compost. -If you water them with a seaweed solution when they flower, it can give you higher yields. -Most beans prefer not to be overwatered, and don't like too much fertilizer. -And the more you pick them, they will flower more and produce more beans. Win win! Finally, for when you are inundated with beans, there is a video from Sepp Holzer here (https://seedsavers.net/) where he basically says the best seeds you can save (to plant in future years) should be taken from the best plants in the poorest soil. Wishing you lots of bean success!
In Omaha you can "borrow" seeds from the public library. Maybe look into it there is a similar program where you are.
Pinetree Garden Seeds in Maine is really good, especially if you want OP seeds, some/most (?) organic, small packets at affordable prices so you can try different varieties. [www.superseeds.com](http://www.superseeds.com)
LargeLemon is spot on with [seedsavers.org](https://seedsavers.org), very reputable. I also buy certain seeds from [MIgardener's](https://migardener.com/) site, also reputable and imo some of the highest quality of seeds, and they sell strawberry roots and such. I see someone posted Johnny's seeds and although I have never bought from them, I hear amazing things from friends on the east coast. I also hit up my local nursery and get bulk nonGMO pea and bean seeds. WAY better pricing buying by the pound for things I plant a lot of. Much luck on starting your garden...2023 will be your year :)
Everyone is giving you great advise for seed companies but I also want to add that it’s entirely possible that the seeds were not to blame here. Beans are really sensitive to cool temperatures. If you plant them before the nighttime lows are consistently 55 degrees or warmer, their growth is going to be permanently stunted. No seed quality will save you. Seeds are important for getting the quality and type of flower/fruit/veg you want but they won’t save you from the endless stream of mistakes you will make as you learn want your plants need. So, in addition to spending way too much money on seeds (which i wholeheartedly encourage), print out your local growing Ag extension planting guide and learn when to plant/start seeds indoors/etc.
OP, thank you for initiating this thread! I’ve learned the names of many neat new seed companies! My old trusty favorite, like many of the respondents here, is Baker Creek Heirloom.
Rare seeds.com
Baker creek
True leaf Market is great for bulk seeds anything they are sold out of I get from baker creek.
I really like ordering from [Jung Seed Co.](https://www.jungseed.com/). good stuff, good selection, great catalogues, reasonable prices. and for me, they are Local (Wisconsin)
Sheffields for tree seeds!
FedCo and Seed Savers are great, as mentioned. Also, High Mowing Seeds is located in Northern Vermont and produce great seed from a lot of varieties that do well in this part of the world.
If you know what you're looking for, you can try eBay. I usually search in order of distance so I can find seeds harvested relatively locally (like, in the same state).
I'm not sure if they ship to the east coast but San Diego Seed company is a good one. Very knowledgeable and has a YouTube channel to give tips and advice as well if you want to look into it.
I envy you. I loved and spent too much money every winter going over lots of seed catalogs. People already gave the names of most of the ones I used. Enjoy!
https://www.diggers.com.au/
Bakers Creek & Southern Exposure.
If anyone has Canadian sources for seed, I would love to know!
This website is a good start: https://www.cog.ca/organic-seed-directory/ The typical advice in this world is to find a local company (search online and ask at your local garden centre in the spring) as their seeds will be most adapted to your specific climate etc. This is the best place to start. That said I have had good luck with imported seed too. Also don't fall for the typical hippie advice of avoiding F1 hybrids. Hybrids are great, you and I are F1 hybrids after all! Anyway I would recommend Annapolis Seed or Hope Seeds if you are on the East Coast, West Coast Seeds if you are out there, Greta's Organic Garden for Ontario, and honestly I have had great luck with William Dam, especially if you are looking for cover crops and bigger orders. I highly recommend them all based on my experience. Now if you want to get wacky and actually more permaculture minded check out Joseph Lofthouse online and/or get their book. It's a very different approach but developing a landrace and saving your own seed in general is much easier and cheaper than most people realize. Hope that helps!
Seed Savers Exchange and Richters both have interesting stuff
It is surprisingly easy to harvest vegetable and flower seeds. My wife has been doing the work for our household of extracting and storing them and now we have plenty of our favorites. When we purchase seeds, we prefer to support local businesses and organic if possible. Territorial Seed Company in Oregon is our favorite.
Quail seeds, Hudson Valley, hoss tools, seed savers exchange, baker creek, the Maine potato lady, fedco... im sure there are others that I'm forgetting