New to SQ FT Gardening: Seeds

slw081066 Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:18 am

I Just got a book about square foot gardening.

My husband is building my planters this coming week, per instructions,

I need to buy seeds.

I looked online and am wondering, and this is a crazy question, I know, what are the stores called that you buy them in locally? I really want organic seeds. I put everything I wanted in a shopping cart and they came to over 100 dollars.

I'll have four 4x4 boxes, plus a round box for strawberries. Plus I want to grow cherries. I'm also planting a dwarf apple tree and pecan tree in the front yard.

But with the seeds, I feel like each package has too many seeds if I'm reading the instructions right. So, I would like to know where to look locally for good seeds in smaller quantities. The last time I had a garden was in 1994, and it was an old row type garden. This is really exciting to do it this way. Glad there is a forum Smile

What is normal to pay for 1 package of seeds? Seems like for organic it's about 2.50 online.

Also, if you do order seeds online where do you buy them?

Windmere Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:05 am

Seeds really are expensive and it was a bit of a shock when I began working with the SFG method. Organics, as you say, are almost always more expensive.

One company that I like is the Seed Saver Exchange. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing and saving heirloom seeds. You do not have to become a member to purchase seeds.

Here is a link:

http://www.seedsavers.org/

slw081066 Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:18 am

Thanks. I guess I'm just going to have to suck it up and do it. I am sure I'll get plenty of food out of this garden. I spend about that much each week right now on fruit and veggies (we are vegan).

**donnainzone5** Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:31 am

Please keep in mind that, under the proper conditions, it's possible to store seeds for up to five years, depending upon the variety. It's likely that your one-time purchase will provide you with seeds for many planting seasons!

boffer Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:53 am

And don't forget that seeds beget more seeds. To save seed money next year, start learning how to save the seeds of the plants you'll be growing. Some veggie seeds are no-brainers to save, and some require certain techniques to keep their genetics true.

quiltbea Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:25 pm

Here's a Seed Longevity list for you.

http://hillgardens.com/seed_longevity.htm

With the proper care, you can keep those seeds for many years to come. Just be diligent in their care. Keep them dry, and if at all possible, in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Not the freezer. The freezer will generate moisture.
Keeping the seeds in lidded jars or sealed baggies to keep them dry, is ideal. The idea is to keep moisture out.

The original investment is always a bit high, but the years later are not.

slw081066 Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:41 pm

Thank you everyone :)I really appreciate it.

**walshevak** Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:01 pm

I got a neighbor interested in SFG and we try to coordinate on veggies we both like to share a pack of seed. Also check out gardening fairs and expositions. They sometimes have a seed swap booth.

Kay

pryz123 Mon Feb 24, 2014 11:20 am

I like Baker Creek Seed co. Their website is rareseeds.com they have a huge selection! I also like seed savers exchange. Another one is Peaceful Valley at groworganic.com they have fruit trees and seeds.

Some stores that I have seen seeds at are Menards, Home depot, Lowes, wal-mart, Farm & Fleet. Most big box stores carry seeds. I hope that helps you. Very Happy

Windsor.Parker Mon Feb 24, 2014 7:32 pm

slw081066 wrote:I Just got a book about square foot gardening. ...

slw081066,
$glad you\'re here$ to the forum, and happy gardening!

dixie Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:04 pm

Welcome to SFG, you will love it and the forum is especially helpful.

I order my seeds from Fedco Seeds. Their prices are very reasonable and they have many organic seeds. Free shipping is a plus too.

Good luck this year.

**sanderson** Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:27 pm

SLW, I think I missed Welcoming you to the Forum! $glad you\'re here$ Yes, the first year buying seeds can be a sticker shock. This is my second year and I still spent $78 at Baker Seeds, mainly on specific new varieties I wanted to try this year. I think seeds are packaged for the traditional row gardener. If you feel so guilty about having so many seeds left over, you can offer some on the "Seed Traders Corner" on the Home page. Very Happy

Seed swapping is an honorable tradition. . . flower

yolos Mon Feb 24, 2014 9:49 pm

Is SFG4ukim still selling small quantities of seeds.??

boffer Mon Feb 24, 2014 9:53 pm

I forgot all about that. Embarassed

http://www.sfg4u.com/~shop/main.html

slw081066 Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:57 am

Thank you everyone. I didn't do my order yet because of the expense. I think perhaps I have no idea what I'm doing even with the book. lol. I want to grow everything that I possibly can that we eat.

But, I'm getting ready to bite the bullet and do it. Thanks for these wonderful seed sites and the welcome. My husband is building me six 4x4 boxes. I was reading how 2 boxes feeds one person all year, but we are vegetarians (vegan for almost 2 years) so I guess we'll need more. I will end up having to buy canning equipment too, got rid of all that years ago, so while this year will be an expense, I feel like the years to follow won't be as bad. I'm so much more decrepit than I was in my late 20's and early 30's so this is going to be an experience.

SFG should sell a kit, that has basic seeds to get started. Like a 'starter' pack with the favorites of the kitchen SFG veggie gardener. Smile

Again, thanks for the welcome!

boffer Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:25 am

As you probably know, there's usually an upfront expense to any new hobby/sport/endeavor. The mental trick to making the first year hit to the pocketbook easier to swallow, is to think of that money amortized over the rest of your lifetime. Then, the cost per year becomes more manageable, and you're no longer thinking that your first year tomatoes are costing you $20 each! Wink

Last year, my goal was to provide all my vegetables out of my garden for the entire year. I've come really close to achieving that. I figure I'll spend about $150 for seeds this year. Since I'm done expanding, and my compost sources are free, there are no other expenses. That's it, $150 for a years worth of veggies.

Perhaps I'm not as efficient as I could be, but I've found that I need more than 3 boxes per person to eat out of my garden year round.

quiltbea Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:35 am

Slw....Welcome to the forum. You'll learn lots from the gardeners here who are always ready to help with answers when they can.

You can always learn about saving seeds so you won't have to buy them in future. Some seeds you can save close to others, some need hundreds of feet in between another variety in order not to cross-pollinate. For those its best to just grow one variety that season so they can't cross as long as you aren't nearby any other gardeners or farmers. A google search can help you with distances.

Check out youtube for videos by gardeners which will help you. But your best teacher will be you and your own micro-climate and methods which will show you what works well and what doesn't. Good luck.

**sanderson** Tue Feb 25, 2014 1:27 pm

SLW, It was probably just a typo, but it is 3 boxes per person, roughly one for salads, one for other veggies and one for preserving. I would guess that a Vegan could use a fourth box!

If you haven't, check out the Home page for preserving food, canning, drying, freezing

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	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.