One of my favorite places to suggest for people just starting out and wanting to experiment with different seeds is Pinetree Seeds. Their seeds are usually $.075 to $1.30 a packet. They have good quality seeds and are a good place to do business with.

You'll love your own veggies and herbs. Many of them are very simple to grow and nothing tastes like something grown in your own dirt with your own hands. And for the cost of your time and a packet of seeds, you do get a lot of value back.

FataMorgana

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinetree Seeds

Put up on your trade list what you're looking for. Post your wants on the Exchange side of this forum as well as on the Seed Exchange forum. There are a lot of kind, generous folks out there that can help you with seeds.

For gardening equipment (shovels, hoes, digging tools, hoses etc) check www.craigslist.com. Check in both the "free" section and the "farm & garden" section. I'd also check the Pennysaver and other small local newspapers to see if anyone has gardening supplies listed.

Depending on the size of your garden area a couple of good knifes from a second hand store can be used for most processes until you are able or can afford equipment. The Old Hickory work best. I wore out several iin a community garden when all I could afford was the 10 for a $1.00 seeds.

Everyone including me wants the newest and best but sometimes it is better to use what you have rather than invest in a lot of tools then decide that you neither have time or patience to garden.

As far as using the seeds in the spice racks, yes they may have had pesticides applied while growing but you probably eat them everyday if you go to a resturant. If you can afford the organic seeds go for it. You should find many available right now at your local hardware store.

At one time "Organic" really meant few or no chemicals but with the USDA becoming envolved organic has become more of a advertizing ploy unless you can work in the fields with the growers. You might want to consider a CSA if there are any in your area. For a set amount of money or donation of time you will receive what is available to the group. Different CSA's have different requirements. But you will probably need to expand your eating habits.

Peaceful Valley is a HUGE source on the west coast. Not everything you want can be bought locally in your area, so you must make use of more resources. Even though I live on the east coast, I still have to get striped cucumber beetle lures from Peaceful Valley, as I have never seen them anywhere else.

Let me know what you are looking for in terms of herbs/veggies. I have a great selection of seed to spare. I always order from pinetree gardens, superseeds.com, or park seed. If you have a limited income and a small amount of space try veggies and herbs which do well in containers. Some of the best of both I have grown have been kept in containers. They are easy to move if needed for light requirements, watering, etc. Wal Mart carries huge plastic containers which are awesome to use. The best tomatoes I have ever grown were grown in 2-5 gallon plastic pots purchased at "Wally World." The plant environment is easy to control in these containers. Let me know what you are interested in growing. I may have seeds to send.

I've found Artistic Gardens an inexpensive place to buy small quantities of herb seeds. I've had very good results with their seeds.

Here is a link that might be useful: Inexpensive seeds

I think your fears are a little unfounded. Sure, groceries donÂt always sell the healthiest veggies (unless theyÂre organic groceries, and even then), but itÂs not as if theyÂre deadly poison shops. Anyway, if youÂre just starting out, start simple. Get yourself a small plot, simple fertilizer, and cheap tools. See if itÂs right for you. You donÂt need to spend money getting expensive things if you end up quitting or throwing out your back taking hoe to soil. And if youÂre intent on saving up, have you thought of switching to free or low-rate services for phones? Comcast and other carriers now offer low-cost combinations of phone, net and tv, and 1800-Free-411 is a free directory assistance service. With that you can pretty much trawl all you need without worrying about the charges.

I am still impressed with the breadth of varieties of seeds offered by FEDco. Prices are reasonable, and often quite cheap.

Pensivet -- you can also do Internet surfing, your local library should have free internet access if (like me!) you don't own a computer! Also, Every spring the Walgreen's stores in my area (Omaha, Nebraska) have seeds for sale -- 10 packs for $1.00, and also I picked up some great hand tools there on the cheap. And I also found a wheelbarrow at the local Goodwill store!

I don't know if gardening is cheaper... and if you are poor, like myself, you will end up doing a LOT of labor! Gardening isn't for sissies. :o) But it's worth it as we've given up taste for convenience and you'll get nice tasting tomatoes instead of those mealy unripe dyed ones from the store. Everything tastes better from your garden.
Chard is a good one, if you can get chard seeds and you don't have too cold of a winter, it's perennial. It's not an attractive plant after the first year, but you still get chard!

I have lots of stuff to share. Let me know and I will pop some in the mail for you. I have lots of tomatoes, peppers, veggies, herbs, some rare seeds. I love to experiment and so have lots of extras. My email direct is(loverofdisney@hotmail.com) I know what it is like to want to do but don't have the money to do. You will discover that most gardeners are generous and caring. Linda

Yes, and speaking of generous and caring, you should check out your local garden and herb clubs. Lots of them have ways to share plants (sales vs. trades vs give aways). If you are fairly bold and outgoing (like me), you go knock on the door of a local gardener and say "I love your garden, its wonderful. Where do you recommend I go to buy herb starts?"

Its better than even odds that at the house of a true gardener they will say "I really like [local garden center] but I need to divide my oregano, thyme [fill in blanks] and I'd be happy to give you some starts."

Too true - I never met a true gardener that didn't have something to share with other gardeners, especially people just starting a garden. Garden clubs would be a good way to connect with these people.

FataMorgana

thanks barbe_wa, that seed site is amazing.

What part of Oregon are you from? I'm in the Beaverton area, are you near me? Email me we talk about some cuttings if you are close.