I haven't had poor germination unless it was because I was just plain dumb and didn't give the seeds the conditions they wanted--and that holds true for everything I tried from every vendor.

I prefer Chiltern Seeds to Thompson and Morgan--greater variety, way more seeds per packet. I use Stokes Seed whenever possible, because they provide the most seed for your money. Theodore Payne Foundation generally supplies more seed than you know what to do with. Gardens North supplies generous amounts of seed, as well. If you want xeric plants, try Alplains.

I also like Patrick Studio (good value for money), Park Seed, Valueseeds.com and Mr. Fothergill's. Add Plants of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Rare Plants for xeric plants, and JJA Seeds for really rare plants. Select Seeds does have a good heirloom flower line, but I tend to buy mostly plants from them. Oh. I forgot. I also like Seed Saver's Exchange and Seeds of Change.

I also love doing the Royal Horticultural Seed Distribution Scheme and the North American Rock Garden Society Seed Exchange (you have to be a member to participate).

There are some super-specialist suppliers I omitted here. If you get that specialized, you will know who they are :-)

Lisa

www.tomatogrowers.com...and yes they have more than tomatoes.

The Seed Exchange forum.

Hehe hehe

Ebay, Ebay, Ebay. It try to avoid sellers liek Red Earth Gardens that just buy seeds from packaged seed sellers like Livingston seeds and put them in a new envelope and sell the seed for 50% over retail or Another39again that buys seeds on ebay and then resells them with a 500% mark up.

Once you realize that all of the retail seed companies buy all of their seeds from the same producer's and what you are really paying for is the glossy picture filled catalog not the seeds. It's a little maddening.

My fanatasy is to figure out how to buy from Sakata seed in japan. They have the most amazing selection but alas I can't read the catalog because it is Japanese.