If you want specific seeds, there is a seed exchange forum where traders are very generous. There is an exchange on this forum and on the vegetable forum. Just look for the little roundabout arrows next to the forum name to indicate an exchange board. I've found that if you only need a few seeds, or seeds you can't find in stores, this is the best bet. People will offer seeds for postage if they have a lot, and at the end of planting time, there is always someone offering up leftover veggie seeds for trade or postage. I've given away lots of veggie seeds for postage in years past, because our seasons are reversed from the rest of the country.

I buy a lot of my heirloom seeds from Johnny's Select seeds, some of my favorites from Park Seeds, and the rest off the rack at the box stores. I even buy the cheapo seeds from dollar stores for standard varieties. I like them because you don't have so many left over for a small garden.

Minde,

What are you looking for?

~dianne

Some seeds for my fall garden. Broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and watermelon. I have heard that Burpee is not good for seeds. My summer ones I bought from big box hardware store.

Hanging out here with the experts, I have found that they order seeds from various sources depending on what they want. I'm still trying to learn all that stuff myself. I do and will buy Burpee and Ferry Morse seed, I'm feeding my husband and I, we are past childbearing years, and I'm just not worried about their GMO affiliations. That might change in the future, and it might not.

What I have learned about the seeds you listed I've put some snippets here. I'm still trying to figure out the salad stuff. Broccoli and Cabbage I get the cellpacks when the nurseries have them.

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/ - Orlando Eggplant, Broccoli Raab, Carrots

http://www.tomatogrowers.com/ - tomatoes, Hansel Eggplant

http://www.underwoodgardens.com/ - Broccoli and Spiragello Broccoli

Territorial Seed and Johnny's Seed are also good. As is Baker Creek Seeds. Asian veggie seeds - Evergreen Seeds.

What part of Lake County are you in? I just started growing Veggies in Seminole County last fall, so I'm a beginner also.

~dianne

diane,
I live in tavares, mt dora region. What is cellpacks? My cucumbers, tomatoes, and corn are growing well. Cant wait to try new things. This is my first garden. Oh forgot, watermelon is taking over my front yard, LOL.

I have been told Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is good, I am going to try them for fall. I got my spring seeds at the hardware store - they were Weeks Seed Company. It was disastrous.

Minderella

Since you are starting to garden, I would suggest that you start small and inexpensive, after you have acquired experience then you can go to a lot of varieties. If you want info from gardeners about specific varieties then you have to ask that. Pick a category that you are interested and try to plan the future garden and what you would like to grow.
I ordered from this place before and they have good seeds and service, it is one of the many places that I buy seeds depending on what I am looking for.

Silvia

Here is a link that might be useful: seeds

During prime time planting season, the feed stores and big box stores get veggie starter plants in plastic multiples trays. 4/6/9 plants to a tray. They are priced decently, and work good for getting the garden going as very soon as you can plant. Otherwise, you are growing plants under lights someplace inside. We like the Pacman broccoli and the green cabbage so that is one less thing I have to start seed for. I've learned that I really, really like baby broccoli leaves in salad, so I've ordered the spiragello seed, since that is not available locally in seed or starter plants.

One of the many things I have learned is there is a trick to figuring out what variety of something to plant. And when to start the seed. It is good that you are thinking about and asking now.

Tell us a bit more about your garden? Size and demographics. Light, water, soil. What have you. How many people are you feeding? Are you also trying to put up stores?

~dianne

I have a raised bed 12' X 6', I know it should have been only 4' but didnt read that till after I had built it....I have successfully grown tendergreen cucumbers and have about 16 green tomatoes, 6 rows of sweet corn in another area. Raised bed is in full sun from about 10am till dark. I used soaker hose on both gardens for about 2 hours/day. Raised garden is garden soil and top soil mixed together. Corn field is normal sandy ground that I fertilized, Have dealt on and off with armyworms, aphids, some kind of black beetle looking thing eating sunflower flower. I appreciate all the advice I get.

Pinetree in Maine is my alltime fave - they specialize in smaller quantities (& lower prices) for home gardening & have a terrific selection of herb & veggie seeds - many heirlooms & open pollinated(OP: means you can save the seed).

I also like SESE in Virginia very much - they mostly specialize in heirloom veggie varieties specifically for Southern gardeners - prices are a bit higher, but their quality & selection reflects that.

I do buy seed packets @ various local stores, but find them sort of a crapshoot - some do well, some do not.