Organic gardening begins with organic seeds. Whether you’re planning to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers, now is the time to start going through those garden catalogs. A number of seed catalogs have organic seeds and/or plants. Since some of these companies also sell conventional seeds, read the variety descriptions before ordering.
Abundant Life Seeds
Unlike some companies, this color catalog carries only organic seeds. Though vegetables are a specialty, they also have herb and flower seeds as well as mushroom kits.
In addition to organic seeds, Abundant Life also offers organic fertilizers and gardening supplies. (phone, mail, fax, online)
This no-frills catalog is the perfect solution to the winter blahs with page after page of tropicals, house plants, and flowering vines. They specialize in vegetables and tobacco, but also have hard-to-find varieties, such as insect repelling plants.
One section is devoted exclusively to organic seeds. Those produced under even stricter standards, called Naturally Grown, are marked with an NG, while the organic is labeled OR.
(mail, phone, fax, online)
2008 marks the 30th year this cooperative has been in business. In addition to their spring seed catalog, they issue separate tree and bulb catalogs. Fedco sells seeds of vegetables, herbs, cover crops, and flowers along with seed potatoes and onion sets. The spring catalog devotes an entire section to certified organic seeds. Other organic varieties have OG printed beside the name.
(online, phone, fax, mail)
This full-color catalog has around a hundred pages with over a hundred kinds of organic vegetable seeds, including heirloom and open pollinated varieties. Gardens Alive! also sells vegetable and herb plants grown from organic seeds. This company specializes in natural, chemical-free pesticides and soil amendments.
(mail, phone, fax, online)
Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery
They offer seeds of heirloom, open pollinated varieties. Some of their seeds are clearly identified as organic, including cover crops. Their specialties include irrigation and solar powered equipment, and beneficial insects.
(mail, phone, fax, online, and at the retail store in Sebastopol, CA.)
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
In business for 35 years, this employee-owned company has a huge, full color catalog with over 180 pages. They specialize in veggies, but also have herb and flower seeds, fruit plants, and gardening supplies. This catalog lists over 175 varieties of organic seeds, which have OG printed in red after the variety name.
(mail, toll-free phone, fax, online)
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
This offers luscious vegetables for the home garden, including heirlooms and open pollinated varieties. Southern Exposure also has seeds of herbs, flowers, cover crops, and grain crops. Organic varieties have OG beside the name. With some color photos, this catalog also includes helpful information on how to grow each vegetable. Members receive a discount.
(mail, phone, fax, online)
Territorial Seed
This inspiring, full-color catalog contains over 160 pages. In addition to certified organic seeds, Territorial is one of the few that has certified biodynamic seed. Look for Organic or Biodynamic printed in red beside the variety names.
Territorial specializes in vegetables. They also carry seeds of herbs, flowers, fruits, and cover crops. This catalog also has bulbs, garlic, and some plants in addition to gardening tools and supplies.
(mail, toll-free phone, fax, online)
