I tend to use Pinetree the most for buying seeds. Good prices, decent variety of stock, and reasonable amounts of seed. I've gotten Le Jardin du Gourmet, Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange, Territorial, and High Mowing seeds over recent years too.

And a few other companies besides those- most from when I was a newer gardener years ago and not as picky about my seed purchases as I am now.

But I've never had a problem with diseased seeds from any company. I've had other various problems with some companies, but never disease.

Have you had problems with getting diseased seed from companies?

No, more a precaution. I grow a lot of basil during the summer to sell and I lost everything to downy mildew last year. There is talk that it can be seed borne. I'm trying to be proactive for this summer!

I will check some of yours out. I have bought from Baker Creek and heard good things about High Mowing.

Thanks!
Lisa

Thanks!

I order a lot of herbs and vegetables and some flowers from FEDCO. I have been happy with their prices, their free shipping on a seed order above a certain $ amount, and the freshness of their seed. I also find their selection top notch. No GMO seeds and lots of organic seeds. They also sell supplies, potato tubers, etc.

Johnny's Seeds have a great reputation, but I find them pricey.

I'm ordering from Swallowtail this year, and this is my first experience with them. Select Seeds is supposed to be a really good company too.

If you want more names, check out Garden Watchdog

Garden Watchdog

Great source! thanks!

I use Seed Savers the most, but I second the ideas above about Johnny's and Territorial also being good. I've only ordered from Annie's Heirloom Seeds once, but they were great seeds, if a little spendy.

Kitazawa Seeds is good if you're looking for Asian greens, beans, eggplants, etc. I use them for some Thai peppers my husband likes, and their service is quite good.

I forgot to add, Diane Seeds. I've ordered from her and was very happy with my purchase too. She also has non GMO seeds and heirlooms.

Diane Seeds

I order from Kitazawa and Johnny's as well. Always had good luck with them too.

FataMorgana

Thanks! You guys are awesome with all these recommendations!

If you're specifically looking for basil with regards to basil downy mildew, you may look in to where the company is located. Here in CO, we're just starting to deal with it, so it *may* not be an issue if they source their seeds local. Botanical Interests and Life Seed Co are a couple of local ones that I've been happy with. Have also used and been content with Territorial, Johnny's, Lake Valley, Renee's Garden, and High Mowing as well. My one experience with BDM came from a grocery store purchased plant that I managed to separate from my seeded basils which were clean.

That's a good idea. We are just starting to deal with it also. I'm torn on whether I should worry about the seed or just worry about the conditions to grow it. I tend to think the latter is more important. I got hit really bad last summer - lost about 200 plants - but our summer was very cool and rainy through July and then got humid. A couple of the plants I cut back all the damaged stems and both grew back nicely without the mildew. So, I don't know... I am also going to try the Eleanora seeds that are suppose to be somewhat resistant.

I think last year was just a bum year for basil. Here, we hardly got much to grow--too cold and rainy to start, then just never took off. Even at the Denver Botanic Gardens, we didn't get much to grow well.

Equally terrible here in Western NY State last summer. Too cold and wet for tomatoes and I grew peas all summer long. That says a lot about the conditions we had. If mildew is a problem, be sure to make sure you don't crowd plants so there is good air circulation and avoid watering in the evening. Good advice no matter where you get plants or seeds from.

FataMorgana

I agree, Balloonflower, we got off to a gray and cool spring and then the Basil just never took off. Let's hope we have a better year not only for Basil, but Tomatoes and Peppers too. Do you work at the DBG, Balloonflower?

FataMorgana - good reminders of good growing practices.

All good advice! It was a bummer of a summer. I remember wearing a sweatshirt outside in July because it was cold!! Our winter was so bad and cold that we were expecting a lot from summer! Hopefully this summer will go well. My vegetable garden didn't do well either last year. I usually just get starts at Lowes for my veggies but I am going to start from seeds inside this year. Gonna try some new stuff. Kinda excited!

Thanks everyone! Great conversation and advice! Helps to hear that others had the same problems I had last summer. I was starting to doubt myself!!

Lisa :)

This is off the subject of seeds but I wanted to share...I had (3) praying mantis pods in my greenhouse and I noticed the other day that they have all opened! Actually have seen a couple little ones on the wall! Not sure what I can do to help them. Doubt there is any food for them to catch. Maybe some lingering thrips or gnats that I haven't killed yet. I feel bad but I told them, "You are about 4 months early!!"

Oh, my girls would have such fun with praying mantises--I'm sure they would be in our house by now were they here.

I do a lot of volunteer work for DBG--700+ hours last year with the herb Guild. We work under a horticulturist to care for the herb garden there. Also dry and bottle herb blends to sell in the gift shop--last year had to buy 8lbs of dry basil since ours didn't grow.

I've never had a preying mantis in my garden that I know of. Hope they find enough to eat until the weather improves.

Balloonflower, that's a lot of hours. It must be a lot of fun and educational to be able to work there. Like an internship in a way. Of course, they are lucky to have you too! :-)

Moles seeds and Nickies seeds are my number one choice.