# Where is a safe place to order seeds? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 16, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681 "2023-08-16T22:17:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/1 "2023-08-16T22:17:22Z")
I want to order Piel de Sapo (aka Christmas or Santa Claus Melon) seeds. I usually buy seeds at a local nursery or order them from Burpee but I’ve not been able to find them. I’m concerned about ordering from Amazon, I’ve been hearing sketchy things about their seeds nowadays. Does anyone have any suggestions? BG: While I was in Idaho, I stopped at a roadside fruit stand and just happened to buy a Christmas Melon because I’d never seen one before and I’m the sort to buy and try strange produce just because. It looked pretty disappointing when I cut into it, but it was super good and I’d like to try growing them here. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/2 "2023-08-16T22:35:14Z")
I like [J. L. Hudson, Seedsman](https://www.jlhudsonseeds.net/index.html) though the website is clunky. They seem to have things nobody else does. The melon seeds you’re looking for are on [this page](https://www.jlhudsonseeds.net/Supplement%20Vegetables.htm), about halfway down under “MELON”. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/3 "2023-08-16T22:53:52Z")
Very nice, thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/4 "2023-08-17T00:48:54Z")
I’ve ordered seeds from J.L. Hudson for many years. Good quality seed, reliable company (with an entertaining catalogue). Amazon and eBay sellers include a high percentage of scam artists. Lots of listings for seeds of plants that do not occur in nature or commerce (for instance, with flowers in nonexistent colors that are obviously the result of photoshopping). The [Garden Watchdog](https://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/#b) is a good place to check reviews of seed and plant sellers. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/5 "2023-08-17T00:59:08Z")
I like Baker Creek Seeds, they’re reputable, carry a staggering variety of heirloom varieties and their catalog is gorgeous, albeit not free. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/6 "2023-08-17T01:25:06Z")
What a wonderful resource, thank you! @SmartAleq that comes up as Rare Seeds? Am I looking for the right thing? I asked my friends and they didn’t know anywhere locally, I just knew that I could ask here and get some great advice, thanks so much to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/7 "2023-08-17T01:26:21Z")
That’s the one–I guess every address using “baker” was already taken! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/8 "2023-08-17T01:37:12Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Piel de Sapo Seconding Baker Creek. Also adding that Johnny’s Selected Seeds lists two varieties of Piel de Sapo melon. I would definitely not buy seed on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/9 "2023-08-17T01:46:10Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Also adding that Johnny’s Selected Seeds lists two varieties of Piel de Sapo melon. Until a few years ago, Stokes had the biggest selection and the most scientific, or at least scientific-sounding, descriptions. They no longer sell small quantities for home gardens, and recommended Johnny’s on their way out. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/10 "2023-08-17T01:51:43Z")
What’s sketchy about seeds from Amazon? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/11 "2023-08-17T01:56:30Z")
Baker Creek [invited Cliven Bundy](https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2019/04/29/cliven-bundy-visit-baker-creek-heirloom-seeds-cancelled/3617902002/) to speak at their spring planting festival in 2019. The appearance was canceled a few days after the announcement when word got out. Not learning from that experience, Baker Creek invited RFK Jr. to the following year’s festival which got canceled due to Covid-19. Due to this stuff (plus their grotesquely inaccurate and self-serving views on GMOs) I don’t do business with them any more - the only instance where I’ve dropped a business for other than product or customer service reasons. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/12 "2023-08-17T01:57:20Z")
Reliable seed companies test their batches annually, store them properly, check that they’re getting the correct varieties from the supplier, work with suppliers who they’ve found reputable. Many of them test varieties in the field and some grow some of their own supply. A random seller on Amazon is unlikely to be doing any of that. Some people selling on Amazon might be, I suppose – but how is a buyer going to tell? I once grumbled to a friend about the disappearance of a particular variety from the market. She announced with great glee that she’d found it on Amazon. The variety was a hybrid; Fedco Seeds (an extremely reliable seed company, though they’re not listing Piel de Sapo) had explained that the company that owned the hybrid had quit producing it, several years previously. Whatever was being sold on Amazon was either very old seed unlikely to germinate, or else was not that variety. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/13 "2023-08-17T02:06:52Z")
For what it’s worth, I’ve bought some seeds on Amazon, simply because it was convenient and they had the varieties I wanted. But the seeds were obviously originally packaged by a “real” seed company, and I had no problems with any of my orders. Everything germinated fine. Now, I _have_ seen bullshit like “seeds” for roses that are supposedly a neon teal blue. C’mon. First of all, who the hell grows roses from seed, and second of all, they don’t friggin’ come in that color! Just use common sense and you can avoid the stupid scams. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/14 "2023-08-17T02:16:00Z")
Interesting, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/15 "2023-08-17T02:58:10Z")
Well, that’s unfortunate! Guess I’ll have to fall back on Siskiyou Seeds–they’re an Oregon company and if anyone knows anything terrible about them KEEP IT TO YOURSELF lol. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/16 "2023-08-17T07:01:19Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Also adding that Johnny’s Selected Seeds lists two varieties of Piel de Sapo melon. I’m a satisfied Johnny’s customer myself. Good service, good products, good civic/environmental responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/17 "2023-08-17T13:34:09Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > the seeds were obviously originally packaged by a “real” seed company, and I had no problems with any of my orders. Everything germinated fine. Were they dated, and if so within sell-by date or within less than a year of germination test; and how had they been stored? That last is really important, even if the date’s correct. Again, some people on Amazon may be doing it right, and if you had good germination on everything that particular seller may be OK; but few buyers are going to be able to tell who’s selling good seed. > [@Kimstu](#): > > I’m a satisfied Johnny’s customer myself. Good service, good products, good civic/environmental responsibility. And, these days, worker-owned. Not the cheapest; but a fast reliable shipper. Most of my order goes to Johnny’s, Fedco, and High Mowing; and some to Southern Exposure, though a lot of their varieties aren’t suited this far north. I do order some elsewhere, but that’s the favored companies. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/18 "2023-08-17T13:49:32Z")
[Territorial Seed Company.](https://territorialseed.com/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwivemBhBhEiwAJxNWNy5bWCbVqnkuiHVant98b6p5N5XVli_g76UKepLmWFdN3EAySCP6WxoCud0QAvD_BwE) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/19 "2023-08-17T14:04:19Z")
Rusty Blackhaw (my alter ego on Substack) says the best seed companies are J.L. Hudson, Jellitto, Swallowtail Seeds, Pinetree Seeds and Select Seeds. Pinetree is especially good for people who don’t need/want a large amount of seed, as they offer smaller packets for considerably less than other outlets. Johnny’s prices are at the upper end of the scale, and they charge more for shipping than just about any other company I’ve looked at. I suspect customers are paying for that big full-color catalog (in general, seed companies and online nurseries with the most elaborate catalogues have the highest prices - looking at _you_, Wayside Gardens and White Flower Farm). ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681/20 "2023-08-17T14:46:16Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Territorial Seed Company. Also a good one. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Pinetree is especially good for people who don’t need/want a large amount of seed, as they offer smaller packets for considerably less than other outlets. Yes. If you only want a small amount of seed, Pinetree’s excellent. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Johnny’s prices are at the upper end of the scale, and they charge more for shipping than just about any other company I’ve looked at. And they ship fast more consistently than just about any other company I’ve used – others match them some years, but not every year, and it’s rare for anybody to ship faster. That doesn’t matter to everybody, of course; it doesn’t always even matter to me. And I’m sure some of it does go into the catalogue. Some of it probably goes into salaries in the shipping department; but Fedco is also a co-op, and is usually cheaper; but often a slower shipper. Fedco’s paper catalogue is black and white and smallish print, but probably the most fun to read; especially if your politics lean left (though political jabs are quite a small percentage of what’s in there.) Sometimes I do want to know what a variety looks like, though. ETA: Turtle Tree’s even more expensive, but usually has some varieties nobody else does, even though their overall selection isn’t large. And their seed business is secondary to, and helping to support, a non-profit community including people with various developmental differences; which is why they’re so expensive. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-a-safe-place-to-order-seeds/988681.md?page=2)