Sow True Seed from North Carolina, USA

I give this seed source 7 out of 10 acorns.

I rarely buy seeds. I've been saving my own for many years. However, I have purchased a few select seeds that I didn't have access to locally from Sow True Seed.

The online ordering process was easy and seamless. The delivery was very timely and without issue. The seeds arrived in artistically adorned envelops that were gorgeous! It does appear, however, that they only ship to addresses in the U.S.

I appreciate businesses, such as theirs, that spotlight local seed savers, artisans, classes and events; advocate for the Open Seed Source Initiative (OSSI) pledge; and, through their Safe Seed pledge, they are committed to making seed and food GMO-free. They offer a wide range of products online, and also in their catalog, such as: vegetable, flower, herb and cover-crop seeds; a select range of roots, tubers, crowns and bulbs; live plants; gift collections in decorative keepsake tins; mushroom plugs and starter kits; many gardening accessories, an informative planting guide and a large selection of books.

So, why did I give only 7 acorns? I feel that their prices are quite steep on many items and outrageously steep on a few. As an example, my local Southern States Co-operative sells buckwheat seed for $1.00 per pound (regardless of how many pounds you buy), the price for one pound of buckwheat seeds in the Sow True Seed catalog is $4.95. STS does offer price breaks for buying more, such as 10 pounds for $29.75. That still is far from $1.00 per pound and there's no shipping costs if I buy it from my local Southern States Co-operative.

I give this seed source 7 out of 10 acorns.

On the positive side, they have a good selection of heirloom, non-GMO, and organic seeds. The seed packets are pretty and their catalog is one of the few that actually gives good information on seed saving. I got good germination from their seeds.

I kinda soured on them when I ordered a specific bush bean and was surprised that a completely different variety grew instead. Obviously, the seed was either mislabeled or mis-packaged. I contacted them and they asked if the beans that did grow did well. When I answered in the affirmative, that seemed to end the conversation. I think the ethical thing to do would have been to either refund or replace my purchase with the variety I ordered.

On some levels, the specific variety might not seem important. A bean is a bean. But I was looking for specific traits, so I was disappointed in the outcome. Now, I'm not certain I'll get what I order from them, which is sad, because I think they could be a really good company.

I give this seed source 7.5 out of 10 acorns.

Their offerings are somewhat limited.  What I've ordered from them did well.  The radish mix was interesting, but not my favorite.  I think some of the packets are a little spendy for the size, but not always.  All that said, they have a good amount of organic seeds, a good variety of herbs and flowers, and they are one of the now rare sellers of both potato onions and also groundnuts (Apios americana) and saffron bulbs.  They also sell short day onion and also leek starts.  I start my onions from seeds now, but in the past I used onion starts and they are very nice and convenient.

So I think those factors make this an all around above average seed and plant source with some good variety for permaculturists.