Where to buy herb seeds

Most perennial herbs take a long time to germinate. You can choose specific varieties that local stores might not sell. … For annuals like dill or cilantro, herb seeds are cheaper than buying a plant. Basil and mint are cheaper and easy to grow from seed indoors.

Get Free Seeds Through Seed Libraries

Seed libraries provide a way for you to grow what you want for free, and at the same time allow others to do the same. Just like with seed exchanges, try searching for a local seed library to find one near you. The Seed Library Social Network may be a good starting point.

Use a fine colander for basil seed collecting, as the black seeds are very tiny. Cut off the brown and spent flower heads and let them dry for a few days in a warm, dry location. Crush the heads over the colander and pick out the old petals and any chaff. Basil seed collecting is that simple.

Many cooks grow herbs indoors during the winter when it’s too cold outside or too wet to dig in the dirt, but you can grow herbs inside any time of year. Indoor herbs prefer the same temperatures that most people do—around 65 to 70 degrees F—so if you’re comfortable, they probably are.

Go to the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS).

The USDA Free Seeds website. Note that in order to receive your seeds you have to set up an account with your address info by clicking on the New User button. Don’t worry, there’s no charge for seeds. The USDA will even pay for shipping if you do not volunteer to pay.

If your plant dies before the year is up, you’ll need it for both a refund or store credit. You’ll only receive a refund within the store’s standard 90-day return window and, after that, you’ll either have to exchange it for another one or get store credit.

Farmers who choose to grow genetically modified (GM, or GMO) seed sign a contract stating that they will not save their seed to grow next year. GMO seed is protected under intellectual property laws. To save this seed to plant again the next year will violate a contract and is illegal under Intellectual Property law.

The California Homegrown Food Act states that ‘zoning regulations may not prohibit the cultivation of food plants in front or back yards for personal use. … However, gardeners may face restrictions to individual plant growing structure or ‘plant material’ heights and ‘the presence of deceased plant material in front yards.

Monsanto has sued well over 100 additional farmers who have used its seeds without licensing agreements and has settled over 700 cases outside of court. In each of these cases, Monsanto has won the court battle.

You can save vegetable seeds from your garden produce to plant next year. Seed saving involves selecting suitable plants from which to save seed, harvesting seeds at the right time and storing them properly over the winter.

Some of you may be concerned about whether or not it is legal to grow your own food. The short answer is, it is absolutely legal to grow your own food, and there has never been a better time to start!

There is an international moratorium on the use of Terminator technology. Terminator seeds are genetically engineered to be sterile after first harvest. Brazil and India also have national bans on Terminator technology.