I get asked that question a lot.
The answer is… everywhere!
Every trip to a botanical garden is a chance to find seeds… every walk around the neighborhood or trip to the park… heck, I’ve stopped my car many times to look at wildflowers and try to collect a few seeds.
Another wonderful way to get seeds is to connect with other gardeners and trade. There are often local seed swaps you’ll find on sites like MeetUp. Gardening and preparedness groups are crawling with seed-savers.
Generally, though, when folks ask where I get my seeds… they’re talking about where I buy my heirloom vegetable seeds and tubers.
My favorite sources are Oriental markets. My climate has a lot in common with Southeast Asia, so I get a kick out of testing lots of weird stuff.
I know, I know. That’s not what you wanted to hear. You want to know where I buy my NORMAL GOOD AMERICAN REAL SALT-O-THE-EARTH-type vegetables.
Personally, I think the best place to buy seeds online is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. I’m also a member of the Seedsavers Exchange and buy from them as well. Johnny’s is another good source.
Locally, I’m a fan of Grower Jim.
The importance of finding local seed sources is one of the topics Chet and I discuss in the upcoming series of survival gardening presentations we’ve been developing. If you can find varieties already growing well in your area, you’re likely to have better success than if you buy those seeds – even if they’re from the SAME plant – from a place growing them in another climate. Mankind’s understanding of genetics is by no means complete, but there is definitely some adaptation that takes place from generation to generation as caring souls save and replant seeds in their region. Look around for folks near you, then reach farther afield if your search is fruitless.
Happy growing!