Seeds

I'm finally about to plant my first garden on my land. I'm starting small because I'm a complete novice. So where do I find good seeds? I'm wanting "natural" seeds which can produce more seeds and aren't genetically altered etc. and also would like to find strains that grow well in the Dallas area. Please advise

ok i got some links for you....
i am a member of garden web seed exchange and i have done some excellent trades there =)

if you were to sign up, as a newbie many people will post with SASE or SASBE (self addressed stamped envelope, or bubbly envelope) and will send you starter packs for stamps.. and although it is not allowed to just post and ask for free seeds, many members do generously donate free seeds, in the form of a sase offer. also if you get yourself some cheap/harvested seeds somewhere, and then offer them for trade stating your a newbie, people usually respond well and will trade what you have for what you want.

just saw this one this morning, i have actually donated to this woman before, she does a great job every year with hooking people up with free seeds to start off

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/exseed/msg121921343895.html?10

some more

http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/Free_Seeds.html

anyway as far as seed companies, theres a lot of good ones, if you want to invest in seeds....

heres some i have been online browsing, i've been preparing to do some stocking up, i like these mostly for the rare/interesting seeds they have, or i just discovered them and have been wanting to order some of their stuff....but theres certainly a lot out of other companies out there....


https://www.horizonherbs.com/

http://www.eonseed.com/catalog501.html

http://www.rareseeds.com/

http://www.jlhudsonseeds.net/Catalog.htm

Thanks for the links. I'll check them out. Do you or anyone have any experience with seedsavers.org?

Seed Savers Exchange has a tremendous selection if you are a member.
Their catalog is o.k., but nowhere near the seed collections available to members.

As a member, you get their annual directory, which lists all of the varieties that members offer.
A beauty of this is that the way they 'code' members begins with the state they are from.
This allows you to select growers from the same climate as yours, thereby (hopefully) improving your chance of good production.

Brandon,

I would think a beginner would enjoy Baker's Creek seed catalog, as well as Fedco Seeds. Johnny's Select catalog has a ton of information in it as well.

Thanks everyone. I'm probably going to use a combination of all the suggestions.

Brandon Griffin wrote:Thanks everyone. I'm probably going to use a combination of all the suggestions.

Thanks! Yes, I found some seeds I'll buy from Bakers.

I wanted to share this tip for organizing a stash of seeds. Looking through all the seed catalogs I was stressing about how to decide what I needed and what I had room for in the Garden so I came up with this idea to get organized. Its a free service!

I often buy from the catalogue put out by: SEEDS OF CHANGE. They are strictly organic and seem to offer high quality seeds. Especially recommended is the "Chadwick Cherry Tomato" developed back in the 1960's and 1970's by the famous horticulturist, Alan Chadwick.

@Ryan...

Looks like a great idea! I would definitely update the seeds for planting, pruning, harvesting based on the farmers almanac; this way you have the what, where, and when of it all in one place. I liked the pictures...a bit of extra work, but it makes easy to scan through. I will check out the program as well. Thanks!

@Cortland....

Thanks for the tips on what to keep track of. And yes it did take some time to set up but its making the planning stage much more efficient compared to the spreadsheet system I tried last year. And next year I can quickly move the same cards to a new 2015 board. The seeds I don't plant will go to the Seed Bank Board and any that fail or I don't save will stay on the 2014 board for later reference.

I also started a board for my perennial beds.I obviously won't be moving things around so much there but will give me a place to keep notes.

Thanks again!