Finding Seeds for Alaska
Author Ellen Vande Visse
Download a PDF Copy of This ArticleFinding SEEDS for Alaska
Seeds- how to choose?
There are lots of choices. Ask yourself,
What quantity of seeds do I need—a few pots or large garden?
Are there specific varieties that I want?
Do I need some seeds before seed racks are available—such as onion, lobelia, celery?
Seeds—Where to Find?
Advantage from seed racks in stores:
Advantage from ordering from catalogs:
Seeds are light weight. Shipping is cheap compared to buying starts (seedlings in pots) and to purchasing full-grown vegetables or flowers in a store.
What happened to Denali Seed Co?
They are still alive, but under the name https://www.bestcoolseeds.com/ , and only on-line. The seed is not grown in Alaska, but their varieties have proven to do well in Alaska. BestCoolSeeds ships your order extremely quickly! Formerly Denali Seed Co.
Alaska Mill & Feed in Anchorage carries seeds from 6 or so different seed companies. This includes Renee’s Garden Seed, Lake Valley, Ed Hume Seeds, Territorial, and maybe others.
Foundroot Seeds, Sundries, & Sustenance is located in Haines. They specialize in cold-tolerant, fast growing, frost resistant, and extra rugged 100% open-pollinated seeds. Mail-order through https://www.foundroot.com
Alaska Plant Materials Center near Palmer. These folks, under the auspices of AK Division of Agriculture, offer seed potato varieties, plus seed for revegetation, grasses, wildflowers, native trees and shrubs. Contact them through http://www.plants.alaska.gov
Plant Materials Center (PMC), Butte area of Palmer AK
How do you know your seed is not genetically modified (GMO)?
Look for the Safe Seed Pledge
Johnny’s Selected Seeds was one of the original signers of the Safe Seed Pledge in 1999. We present the Safe Seed Pledge, as follows:
“Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners, and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically- engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families, or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing are necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically-engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and, ultimately, people and communities.”
Seed companies like Johnny’s Selected Seeds invites organizations, governments, businesses, and individuals to join in support of the Safe Seed
Initiative.
For more information you may contact The
Council for Responsible Genetics, the sponsor of the Safe Seed Initiative.
“Our Quality Assurance team will not release any seed for sale that does not meet our strict requirements.”
Also look for this:
Open Seed Source Initiative Read about it at http://osseeds.org
Some of my favorite seed catalogs: Territorial, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Bountiful Gardens (John Jeavons), Nichols Garden Nursery, Best Cool Seeds, Fedco, Seeds of Change, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply.