I think it matters. I think some seed companies are better than others. The one I use is Johnny's, but there are lots of good seed companies that others here can recommend as well.

When I've bought "bad" seeds (I won't buy anything Burpee) I get poor germination and poor performing plants.

And yes, you can use those seeds for a few years. Just keep them in a cool dry place.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: my blog

Can I just go into a big box home improvement store

Yes you can and that is the best place for a beginning gardener to start. They carry all the basic vegetable varieties that you need to get started at reasonable prices.

Once you gain some experience you may want to expand your choices and explore beyond the basics but for now you'll find all you need locally.

Be sure to also check out the seeds at any local plant nurseries.

Dave

I started out by purchasing all my seed from a local garden store as well. Seed packets were between $1 and $2 each. They were all the Burpee variety.

I've had good luck with Burpee - and the seeds I've purchased are still in my freezer in a zip-lock bag and are a few years old - germinating just fine still (although I typically will plant more and more of the seed each year since germination percentages go down a bit).

Last year I tried Burpee's Super Sugar Snap pea and had horrid results. But now, I usually purchase all my seeds through FedCo Seeds online. You get a lot more seed for the money - and I've had good results with their seed.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden Blog

Over the year's I've had excellent results with Pinetree, Johnny's, Shumway, Park's, and Burpee. I've also had great luck with the bulk bins at the local farm store.

The packets for sale at the big boxes are smaller than the mail order ones, but I've had decent results from Lowe's and Home Depot. Results from the Wal-Mart and assorted grocery store displays have been mixed -- I'm not certain that the employees are as careful in the handling along the route from supplier to store display.

Oddly, I've had quite good results from the el-cheapo seeds at the dollar store. Perhaps they only sell the toughest, most fail-proof varieties?

All seed is required to be tested for it's germination rate and that is usually on the seed packet. That doesn't mean it's all fresh and not held back from last year ......just that what is sold meets a minimum criteria. I have purchased seed the vendor has oversupplied to make up for a less than desireable germination rate. It's done.

Unless the end point of sale has mis-handled their seed, one is about as good as the other on a retail level. What you will........a price difference in, is the variety and fame of the producer. If you are a beginning gardener, you can feel very safe just buying the seeds offered as lost leaders in many stores in early spring. Sometimes you can get multiple packs for a dollar. The sourcing of the production fields may very well be the same as the expensive brands. LOL.

I buy my seeds through commercial sources, since I grow plants for a living and in the real world, I know that some seeds from some seedhouses seem to germinate better than seeds from a different source......but as said.....they all have to legally meet a minimum requirement if you are dealing with a reputable business.

Like others, I send away for some of my seeds, esp if I want a specific cultivar, heirlooms, etc. But the Ferry Morse seeds you find at big box work very well. I bought some the other day for $1.00 a pack. Misterbaby.

The only seeds I wouldn't buy are past-season seeds. Not because seeds don't last more than a year -- they do. If a store is rotating last years stock back on the shelves, you don't know how it has been stored. If they've been in a hot warehouse, germination rates could be very poor.

Unfortunately, a local NC seed company (mostly a seed buyer and reseller) Reimer Seeds has a HORRIBLE reputation for both seed purity, mislabeled seeds, old seeds, germination, and customer service.

Staying away from them is always advised. They brought it upon themselves.

I started buying seeds locally and still buy some that way. Many stores carry a large variety of seeds from various companies like Johnny's, High Mowing, Fedco, Botanical Interests, Renee's Garden, Burpee, Livingston Seeds, Seeds of Change, Cook's Garden, etc. Try your local feed store or garden center/nursery.

I buy from Johnny's, Baker Creek, Pinetree Garden, and others. Pinetree and Baker Creek have reasonable shipping rates.

Since you are new to gardening, I would try a local garden store where someone can help you choose varieties that will grow well in your area. It is getting a bit late in the season so many online/catalog seed companies may not have everything you want in stock.

As well, you may want to consider buying things like tomatoes and peppers and grow veggies you can start directly in the garden from seed. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with a first garden. Make it easy on your self and focus on preparing the area for planting and keep it simple this year. If you like gardening, you'll be searching for seeds in the fall and have an order place in December.

The short answer for the original question: Yes, it matters.

While there are standards for germination & purity required for commercial seed, I've had quite a few problems with commercial seed over the years. Bean seed with weevils, little to no germination, crossing, and seed that was mislabeled as something it was not. The Seed Police must be sleeping.

I won't name the companies involved here, but I suggest checking the "Rate Vendors" Forum here on GW before ordering from a new company, and checking with Garden Watchdog.

I've always had GREAT luck with Henry Fields seeds. They've got a $1.00 S&H sale this week. Buy all the seeds ya need for $1.00 S&H...can't beat that, with the price of gas. :)

I cant say this enough. Please support your local garden center. If we dont support them they wont be there. I can buy a 1/2 pound of bean seeds for about $4 bucks and get excellent germination. Also they have veggie trays with four plants for $1.50. Lowes only sells quarts and they are about $3 bucks a piece.

I have bought seeds from both mail order sources (Johnny's mostly) and local big box stores and found the results to be better with Johnny's, but not so much that I don't consider seed in Walmart. My "policy" now is if I want something outside the usual varieties found, I order, otherwise I use local sources. (garden center, walmart, etc.)

I have had reasonably good luck with Big Box seeds over the years, with two consideration points. One, some $1.00 packets may not have more than 10 seeds in them. With cucumbers this might not matter, but with other things, it does. I bought three packets of larkspur last year, and there will wasn't enough seed for two dozen plants....

Second, I see you live in the south. You need to know that many of the seeds that are on your seed racks will not thrive in your region of the country. When I was a new gardener, I wasted countless dollars and worse, lots of work and anticipation, trying to grow Campanulas, stocks, and bellis in Mississippi. It doesn't matter how good the seed is, our climate just won't support them. So, do your homework. Don't just buy pretty pictures.

I, too, believe in supporting your local garden businesses. I went to my local Feed and Seed a few weeks ago and bought all the seed I need for this summer's garden for $11. Try to do that with a mail order company! On the other hand, there are always new varieties I want to try that can only be had by mail order. And, that is why so many of us mail order. I ordered flower, tomato, and pepper seeds from five or six different catalogs this year because I couldn't get them all from any one or two.

Finally, I encourage you to always check the internet for discounts and promo codes. I got free shipping from Johnny's Selected Seeds this year and that was a $6 savings, as I recall. I only ordered three packets, so I was truly happy.

Obrion -

It is nice to support the local stores - and I agree with that.

However, most of the time - they simply do not have the varieties needed. A perfect example of this are onion seeds. The shops around here do not sell any kind of onion seeds - unless you only want green onions. They have onion sets everywhere - but not seeds.

So therefore, I have to purchase them online. And when I have to pay $5 for shipping, I throw in my whole seed order at once. No sense in buying a $1.80 onion packet with $5 shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden Blog

In addition to all of the great advice above, I advise (to complicate things even further) that you look for varieties that are know for their great flavor. It makes the endeavor so much more satisfying.

Below is a link to Cornell's site that has taste ratings (and other ratings too).

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell vegetable ratings

I dont think it matteres. Of course the more you pay the more success you have. Ive bought cheap seeds, 5 for a doller at the family dollar, and had plants grow. One time my grandma found seeds in the dumpster and gave them too me. I wasnt sure if they grew because A. they were cheap seeds and B. they were packaged for like '87!!!! it was already 2008! but i tried and SUCCESS!

Oh, PS. you start with a little bit of seeds...but slowly end up with tons! i have two or three containers just for seeds!

Mommyx6,

I really think you will do best to let your local garden center help you out with what grows in your area OR ask a neighbor who gardens to help you out. You can't beat that kind of knowledge and experience.

Buy local as much as you can. For stuff they don't get locally go mail order. But tell your local garden centers what you want that they do NOT have so that maybe next year they WILL have it!

I would second the motion of buying tried and true varieties at big box stores to get you started. As you become more experienced you may try catalog seeds. Seeds for beans and peas should be purchased every year due to the decline in germination rates being very pronounced from one season to the next, but other types of seeds last a lot longer - I use tomato seeds that are up to 12 years old with no issue.

I also recommend staying away from Reimer Seeds. I can't say I noticed a worse germination rate from them. I ordered from them last year for the first time and we had a really bad garden year all around in this region. So I am holding my judgment on this for now.
I ordered seeds from them again this year. Order at both last/this year came quickly. But this year my order was missing some seed packs, so I sent them an email at orders@reimerseeds to notify. Mistake happen, so no big deal as long they get fixed....but I never heard back from them. I mailed them twice at this email not getting any reply from them. Then I went to their website, filled their online email form out.....never heard back either. I was getting really annoyed. Then I found the other email orderdesk@reimerseeds.com
to my surprise it bounced back with "Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the recipient domain", I also noticed their online help chat line has been off line.
What the heck! All I want is that they send me the missing seeds I paid for. I am ready to report them to the BBB and the Attorney General for bad business practices and non-delivery of goods. Especially after I googled them and found many bad reviews about them and what I found online. They lost my business, fortunately there are many good companies out there. They deserve to loose customers especially if they treat them like they don't exist.
Doesn't this look like this guy blocked my email?
I then thought I don't want my account information on that website, since it doesn't sound like a trustworthy company and I went online so I could remove it and what I found shocked me, I found my credit card information the whole number code online on the head of my last order. Not encrypted whatsoever. Shock!!!! We all know how easy websites can get hacked, and at this point I do not trust that guy behind this company with my personal information. But the other thing I found, there is no way to remove that information either and since nobody answers any emails, there is no phone# on the site there is no way to tell him to take it off, delete. That is messed up I say!!!

But guess what, I googled the owner of this business Donald Reimer and I found his phone number. So I am putting it here so he can get an earful of disgruntled customers.
I am getting really pissed now!!!
So here it is, I haven't called it yet...not sure if it works. I am giving him one last chance to respond to me.
Donald Reimer
PO Box 236 : Mount Holly, NC 28120
Phone_ (704) 352-2580

though I hate the shipping costs and the fact that the sell my home address & email to other seed vendors, I ordered from Territorial Seed....

Probably many of the "bad reviews" often stem from plants rather than seeds. Plant sales are far more variable than seeds raised by large growers and packaged by a vendor for sale.

Personally, I buy starts/plugs for some things, and the vast majority of my garden plants are purchased from any of about 6 local feed stores. You get more for your $$ and they always seem to be good quality. Furthermore, they seem to carry more things that are especially suited to my climate and they come in bulk so I over-plant a little initially and then thin/separate as needed. The 'box stores' are going to carry broader ranges of seeds, including varieties that are not as well suited to your particular climate (mass-retailers purchase regionally/across zones). If you don't already know where a feed store or 2 are close to you, I'd suggest seeking them out.

Good luck!

The where to buy seeds question is surely going to come up again any day as it always does. My advice for a new beginner is for the first year or 2 stick with cheap hardware store seeds from Burpee, Fairy Morse, Livingston etc.... While you are learning a new thing, I see no sense in paying $3 to $6 a pack for seeds when you can learn gardening for $1 or 2 a pack. Even the mega store brands have organic seeds now. Just do a quick search of your area on the web. Most Universities publish lists of reccommended varieties for your state or area. Then go to the store and find ones that are on that list to try. Also start seed starting on a small scale and grow from there in subsequent years. If you plant a full blown spread of 200 or 500 seed plants you are going to be overwhelmed. Start with maybe 25 or 50 and 5 or 10 types or varieties of veggies. As your knowledge grows so can your seed starting operation, number of varieties, and garden size.

I order my tomato seeds from Tatiana; http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/Main_Page

She has the most extensive source of tomato seeds I have found. Her database is first class for doing research on the tomato's history...

I also purchase my other vegetable/flower seed, i.e. beans, peas, cucumber, cantaloupe, watermelon, squash etc. from the dollar stores. I PURCHASE THESE SEEDS IN AUGUST when they are closing out their stock for the season. Dollar General beginning first week of August will close out their seeds for $.02 - .07 cent per package. I used these closeouts in 2014 and had excellent germination results. Make a note and try purchasing some seeds from your local Dollar General next August. Have not purchased from Dollar Tree, do not know if they have a similar policy. I use $ General because of convenience...

Our Lowe's store had several different seed company seeds. Anything for Burpee to Organic seeds. It has a nice wide selection for a beginner. I would suggest you check with your local Ag center or your state's EDIS site to make sure you grow the right variety of each veggie for your location. Most stores just sell what is sent to them, regardless if it will grow well in your climate or not.

It matters to me where I buy seeds as I want certain varieties.

I've had great success with ohioheirloomseeds. Its a small company so the variety is a little limited but has all the variety's I was interested in and I always like to support good local business. Prices were really good and they have an ebay store that they have auctions for even better value. So far great germination rates and every seed was correct to description.

Ive had good success with johnnies, there was a mix up on an order last year but was corrected unfortunatly too late for the season but it was corrected. Their variety is great and always had good germination rates.

Burpee has been the least favorite mail order ive used as year after year they get my order wrong and respond very slowly to issues. The in store seeds at HD or lowes are good but are pricy and who knows what treatment the packs have had.

I like my local garden centers for a lot of things but seeds. Unfortunately it seems like I have the worst germination rates from them.

Burpee seed is available at Ocean State Job Lot stores for 40% off all the time. I think the local farm and feed stores have a better selection plus a variety of suppliers. I order most of my seed from Fedco but also love Johnny's which carries some varieties I can't find any place else. I think some of the mixed packets of lettuce etc are a good idea. Keep track of which varieties were in the packet and which grow best for you and taste the best. I made an EXCEL sheet this year to keep track of my seeds and threw out some of the oldest before I placed my first order. In the past I have had good luck with the cheap seed sold at chain drug stores.

I live in a short season area, and for some common seeds, such as sugar snap peas, I can buy anywhere since those are early season crop, but for anything that tends to take the whole season to produce, I buy from sources that carry varieties that are geared toward my short season. In some cases I like particular varieties for flavor, and those I also look for specifically.