How to Find and Choose High-Quality Seeds: 13 Things to Look For

Seeds contain all the genetic material for our plants. These tiny organic capsules determine the traits our plants will have. They also determine their overall health and productivity. 

The only way to get healthy plants is to start with healthy seeds. That’s why it’s important to find high-quality seeds online or at your local nursery. 

From seed age to cultivar, there are several things to consider before making your purchase. Below are the 13 things to look for when searching for the highest-quality seeds for your garden. 

Buy Seeds From Reliable Companies

Seed companies are as diverse as car manufacturers, clothing manufacturers, or any other product manufacturer. Some make amazing products while others pump out lemons. 

That’s why the first thing to find for high-quality seeds is a reputable seed company. Choose companies that consistently earn high ratings and reviews from fellow gardeners. 

If you’ve had great success with a certain brand, keep using it. If you’re trying a new brand, start with a few packets and order more if you like them. 

Look For Organic Seeds

Producers harvest organic seeds from organic plants. That means they don’t contain synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. They’re grown in a way that promotes soil health and are non-GMO.

For a seed packet to be labeled organic, its contents must be grown under federal USDA guidelines for organic products. Each season, certifying agents will visit a seed farm to inspect the plants and the seeds. If the farm is doing everything by the book, its products will receive an organic label. 

Organic labels can carry a higher price tag, but if you’re growing edibles, they’re the way to go. If you’re buying from a reputable company, organic doesn’t always mean better, especially for flowers. Sometimes, the same seed company may have organic and non-organic options, depending on the plant. 

Do They Fit Your Inventory?

Before you make your purchase, do an inventory of your planting stock. Make a list of the seeds you have, those that expired, and the cultivars you want. Check their ages and see if they’re still good. 

Write down the varieties you want to grow and consider growing times and harvests. Draw your garden layout and determine which plants you want in each space. 

Taking an inventory will prevent buying excess seeds and wasting them. It also saves you time and money. You’ll have a more organized garden and seed collection. 

Look for Package Dates

Most packets have a label showing their packing date. This label will help you gauge if the product is new or past its prime. 

These capsules of genetic information can last many years if properly stored. However, they slowly degrade over time. Older seeds will have lower germination rates. 

While germination rates depend on many factors, including species and handling conditions, age is a factor worth considering. Anything over three years old will usually germinate much more slowly. If you’re in doubt, try testing the germination rates at home. 

Were They Stored Properly?

Seed packets can last a long time if they’re stored correctly. However, moisture, poor handling, and temperature changes can degrade their quality or even ruin them. 

Sometimes, nurseries or suppliers may store the packets improperly. Even during transportation between supplier and retailer, things can go wrong. These delicate packets need to be kept in a cool, dry place. 

When purchasing your packets, look for clean packaging with no stains or rips. If the packets are displayed outside in the sun, shop somewhere else. Reputable online retailers will store their products properly and guarantee their quality. 

Is it the Right Season?

Every plant species has its preferred growing season. Before buying a seed, check its sowing times. If you’re past its growing season, you’ll have to store it away and use it the following year. 

Each packet has a chart showing the ideal sowing time and expected harvest window based on the area you live. You can match your region with the ideal times to understand when you need to start. 

If you plan on starting your seeds indoors, purchase your seeds several weeks or months early. Get them started indoors before the last frost. 

Can the Plants Grow in Your Region?

Most seeds you buy are hardy enough to grow in all the states in the lower 48. However, some species prefer warmer or colder weather to thrive. Even if you get these species to germinate, doesn’t mean they’ll thrive. 

Choose varieties that thrive in your climate. Understand which USDA hardiness zone you live in. Each packet should say what range of growing zones it prefers. 

If you live outside of a certain zone, try growing your plants indoors or in a greenhouse. Some tropical perennials will flourish as annuals. 

Find Varieties With Short Sow to Harvest Windows

If you want to enjoy a bountiful harvest early, try finding varieties with short sow-to-harvest windows. These species grow fast and abundant quickly. You can often fit in multiple harvests if your growing season is long enough. 

The time between sowing and harvesting is often called ‘days to maturity’. If you live in cold areas, the shorter the days to maturity, the better the success rate you’ll have. Use your frost dates to determine whether or not a plant has time to mature before cold weather arrives.

This guideline will help you find high-quality seeds that work for your area. It’s also helpful if you’re a busy gardener and want a quick and easy harvest. 

Look For Disease-Resistant Varieties

Some plants are more resilient to diseases than others. When you choose disease-resistant varieties, you’re increasing the odds your plant lives through the growing season.

Diseases such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt can wipe out entire crops. By selecting varieties with natural resistance, you’ll be a step ahead in preventing infections. However, the search for disease resistance begins with finding high-quality seeds from a reputable source.

Keep in mind that just because a plant is resistant, doesn’t mean it’s entirely risk-free. It only means that the particular variety can fight off certain diseases better than others. Even with these varieties in your garden, you’ll still have to follow disease-prevention best practices. 

Are the Packets Priced Fairly?

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. However, sometimes you pay more than what you get. Seed packets shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. They also shouldn’t be free either. 

Once you know what varieties you want to grow, shop around for the best deals. Sometimes websites and nurseries will have specials and holiday deals you can take advantage of. 

Price can sometimes indicate quality. If you’re comparing a reputable and more expensive brand with a cheaper commercial brand, the quality will probably be different. If a price sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Seeds that have been mishandled or are past their shelf-life are usually sold dirt-cheap. 

Do You Have a Lot of Choices? 

One key thing to look for when finding quality packets is variety. The best suppliers will have everything you need and more! Having choices makes gardening even more fun and encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. 

Compare retailers to see if they have the varieties, cultivars, and species you want to grow. It’s even better when they have heirlooms and rarities found nowhere else. 

Of course, having a lot of choices doesn’t mean you’ll always get quality seeds. Good suppliers prioritize quality over quantity. The best suppliers value both! 

Seed Genetics

When it comes to choosing the best varieties, genetics play a big part in success. You’ll have to choose between open-pollinated varieties and hybrids. 

Hybrids are created by mating two distinct varieties to create a new plant with qualities from both parents. Open-pollinated plants are bred from one line of genetics over time. These plants include many heirloom varieties. 

Both hybrids and open-pollinated varieties are great to grow, so the voice is yours. When in doubt, grow both at the same time! You’ll get more variety and give your garden an upper hand with pests and diseases. 

Usefulness to Your Garden

Finally, one of the most important considerations is how useful a variety is for your garden. Look for high-quality seeds that produce bountiful harvests, protect against pests, and encourage pollinators. 

Some fruits and vegetables, such as sweet peas, produce flowers that attract helpful pollinators. Other plants, such as lavender and rosemary, deter pests with their aromatic oils. 

Consider usefulness when determining quality. Each plant will essentially help each other and you’ll spend less time handling problems.