Why does it have to be "organic"? All seeds, except those few treated with fungicides and labeled as such, are organic.

Limiting yourself to only those seeds with the marketing gimmick label of "organic" limits your choices and can double your costs.

Dave

I agree Dave. To me, a plant is deemed organic with which the techniques used to GROW it -- not the SEED itself. But that's me.

Do CERTIFIED organic growers HAVE TO use only organic-labeled seed?

Kevin

ORGANIC is a misunderstood , misused word.
Organic means something driven from ORGANIC matter , such as plants and animals. This can only apply to medium(soil) and fertilizer.

BUT IF YOU LOOK DEEPER, THE SOURCE AND RAWMATERIALS OF organic IS inorganic.

INORGANIC on the othe rhand comes from earth's rocks and mineral, and minerals drivitive made by MAN from existing raw materials on Earth.

I consider MAN just another hand of nature, just like honey bees. We just have bigger brain than honey bees.
SO WE CAN SAY THAT EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IS NATURAL(organic, inorganic, honey bee made, Man made...)

Do CERTIFIED organic growers HAVE TO use only organic-labeled seed?

Certified organic growers do NOT have to use certified organic seed and non-certified growers definitely do not. The rest of the so-called "organic" labeling in seeds is just a marketing ploy and a dis-service to most gardeners since the seeds aren't certified anyway, just labeled "organic".

The certification regulations require only that they use seeds that are untreated, or if they are treated with a fungicide or bactericide it must be with one of the allowed substances on the certified list.

Since 95% or more of the seeds available on the market are untreated and by law, the treated ones must be labeled as such, then the need for certified organic seeds is minimal and only required in very few cases even for certified growers.

If untreated seeds for a particular crop are not available and the grower has made a good-faith effort to find them, then their local certification agent can grant them an exemption.

Dave

Link to a list of nationwide suppliers - several in CA.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Microgreens - Sources and Seeds Directory

Another place to look for answers -Organic Gardening - GardenWeb - however it appears to me the above answers are reliable.

If you want to support organic growers/seed-suppliers...buy organic.

If you want the benefits of organic plants outside of that...grow organically regardless of seed source (unless the seed is treated).

As mentioned...organic vs non-organic seed source (unless treated) means very little. The main (and almost only) benefit to organic seed is supporting those who grow organically and harvest organic seed as part of their cropping system.

First, I first want to thank everyone for responding.

Ah yes, using the "O" word always takes us down a philosophical path doesn't it? :)

In no way am I trying to bait non-"O" believers, but for folks interested in a vendor that sells "O" seeds (check out what "O" means, etc):
Botanical Interests: About Organic Seed
Botanical Interests: USDA Organic Cerification

Not bulk, but Seeds From Italy sells large packets, typically 8 grams for $3.15.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Seeds From Italy

Not local for you, but Landreth Seed Company sells vegetable seeds in 1/4 lb., 1/2 lb., 1 lb. and 5 lb. packages.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Landreth Seeds

This post was edited by jimster on Sat, Jun 1, 13 at 16:47

There was a time that feed stores and nurseries sold seeds in the bulk.

For bulk seeds check:
1) Asian stores ( have bought a bag of Thai basil seeds)

2. check indo-Pakistani stores. I buy coriander and fenugreek from them often. Like half a pound for $5

3) there are internet stores that sell seeds in much bigger packages. Not by the pound though.

First, I first want to thank everyone for responding. Ah yes, using the "O" word always takes us down a philosophical path doesn't it? :) In no way am I trying to bait non-"O" believers, but for folks interested in a vendor that sells "O" seeds (check out what "O" means, etc):

Apparently I need to clarify a point. It wasn't my intent to start a philosophical debate either. I merely wished to point out the common misconceptions about what the label means and doesn't mean when it comes to seed and the misleading marketing tactics used by many vendors.

We get many posts here from under-informed home gardeners who think that if they want to practice organic gardening then they MUST buy seeds labeled "organic" and that simply isn't true. So while it is true that Botanical Interests is one rare exception to that misleading marketing practice, its documentation applies only to them and doesn't mitigate the problem of false advertising by any other vendor.

I practice organic gardening and used to be an "o" certified grower. I had to give up my certification several years ago due to soil contamination from contaminated seed. Even the fact that that seed was from a certified organic supplier made no difference in the results.

Perhaps nc-crn said it best: As mentioned...organic vs non-organic seed source (unless treated) means very little. The main (and almost only) benefit to organic seed is supporting those who grow organically and harvest organic seed as part of their cropping system.

Dave

Hello again, the bulk seeds are for micro-greens. The greens are harvested somewhere between a sprout and a baby plant with a partially developed first set of true leaves (I mention this only to define my use of micro-greens, as there are different applications/definitions). Just as the micro-greens are incredibly nutrient dense, they "may well" contain an "unknown" level of concentrated chemical residues. Since I am using coco-coir as the growing medium and reusing it multiple times, there is potential for even greater concentrations of chemical residues over time. I put "unknown" and "may well" in quotes because I have no way of knowing what levels (or if any are present). I'm willing to pay a reputable "O" seed vendor for their trouble and I'm not looking to be convinced that non-"O" is OK for this particular application.

Note that I don't buy "O" seeds exclusively for the garden (but I do admit it being a preference) as any chemical residues would be minuscule on a mature plant.

I hope that clarifies. :)

Ahh I see. Thanks for the clarification. In that case you may be interested in the research article on pesticide residues linked below.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Pesticide Residues in Organic Seed

Yes, excellent article. It does speak to chemical residue in non-"O" seed and fraudulent "O" seed that is in reality non-"O".

Hopefully the USDA and other "O" governing bodies perform the same level of follow up as this German report.

Case closed. I found USDA "O" seed in bulk at a local heath food store, which is right across the street from a nursery that I frequent. The prices are reasonable, and the brand is Handy Pantry.