Seeds
Table of Contents
Introduction
There are a variety of ways to get seeds from seed sellers and grocery shop produce to seed libraries and seed swaps. This page is dedicated to helping you find seeds near you.
Some seeds are for foods which may not be native to your country, while other resources will help you get access to native plants for your rewilding projects such as pollinator gardens or prairie strips.
Native Plants
One way to get free seeds is to clear a bit of soil, add a birdbath, and get many native edibles via bird droppings. Some species of plant actually need to be consumed by birds or other animals to jump start their life cycles, though you may want to gently dig up your new plants and put them further away from the bird bath. - Foraging Texas
It's important to use native plants when doing rewilding project or gardening to help wildlife. Wild plants support wildlife by providing food, nesting materials, even hydration and shelter. When invasive plants replace natives, it means less resources for wildlife, especially if non-natives start to crowd out the natives.
Check out our Wildflowers page to for our directory of identification guides to help determine which plants are native to your area vs. which plants don't belong.
3:04 minute video shows how to sustainably harvest multiple species of local wildflowers.
Why Are Seeds Important?
"Navdanya International launched its global Seed Freedom Campaign in 2012 to bring to citizens’ attention the crucial role of seed in the battle to defend food sovereignty and food safety and help strengthen the movement to save and exchange seeds in response to the growing corporate hijacking of our seeds and our food. In the context of the deepening global seed emergency and food crisis, Navdanya International formed the Global Movement for Seed Freedom as a way of uniting the diverse groups and organizations around the world saving seeds, resisting the criminalization of seed saving and promoting ecological agriculture, and to add strength to the mobilization against the industrialization, poisoning and impoverishment of our food systems. The Seed Freedom Movement has grown into a very strong and vibrant global community, which continues to expand through the mushrooming of hundreds of local seed groups and networks throughout the world, through festivals, workshops, demonstrations and policy advocacy campaigns."
Organic Crop Seeds
You can get seeds several ways. You can buy them online or in person at regular shops: groceries, feed stores, garden nurseries, seed swaps, collecting seeds from foods you like, or collecting and saving seeds from your own harvests.
Some museums, schools, libraries, community garden programs, and non-profit organizations also have seed storage or saving programs.
You can also scroll down to see what is available in Seed Libraries, or where you can participate in Seed Swaps or Buy Organic Seeds near you.
Seed Banks
Seed banks exist to help preserve seed diversity.
Unlike a seed library, you may be required to donate seeds or a monetary donation before receiving any seeds.
Seed Libraries
Seed Saving & Swapping
"How to Save Seeds" Brief overview from Seed Savers Exchange.
Buy Organic Seeds
International
Organic Seed Alliance Directory Maps shows mostly USA suppliers, but also in regions including the UK, Pakistan, as well as Jammu and Kashmir.
North America
Canada
USA
Maine
Johnny's Selected Seeds (commercial orders only until April 28th)
Texas
Brim Seed Company (near Waco)
Buchanan's Native Plants (Houston)
Wabash Feed & Garden (Houston) "We carry bulk vegetable seeds for the seasons and sell by ounce or pound. We will special order if you desire seeds we don’t carry. We also stock a wide variety of flower, herb and vegetable seeds in packages. Many are Heirloom and Certified Organic from “Seeds of Change” and “Botanical Interest”."
Virginia
Southern Exposure (central Virginia)
Buy Native Seeds
North America
USA
Texas
American Native Seed " is committed to offering 100% Native, American Grown, Free of Invasive Species. We encourage you to research, plant, save and share our seeds. We do not accept or appreciate GMO, patenting, licensing, or royalties. Seeds are the essence of life."
Buchanan's Native Plants (Houston, Texas) (curbside & delivery available)
Oceana
Australia
IndigiGrow "we specialise in propagation and growing of Australian native edible plants in the critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS).
By working with ESBS this important ecosystem, we educate and engage our young people in culture, connection to Country and teach them how to care for Country."
Organizations
Aside from the libraries and businesses listed above, there are also organizations specifically focused on education and seed saving. Organizations that didn't specifically fit in one of the categories above are listed in this section.
North America
USA
Seed Saver's Exchange "Since 1975, we have grown, saved, and shared heirloom seeds and led a movement to protect biodiversity and preserve heirloom varieties. At the heart of our organization is a seed bank that houses a collection of 20,000+ rare, open-pollinated varieties. With gardeners like you, we can get these seeds where they belong—in gardens and on tables everywhere, for generations to come."
Texas
Central Texas Seed Savers "Our Mission: Preventing extinction of culturally, ecologically and culinarily important plants. Our lives depend on seeds. Each time we lose a plant variety we lose a piece of ourselves."
Resources
How-To: Seed Bombs
Make Your Own Bee-Friendly Seed Balls (PDF) be aware that the planting suggestions are specifically for UK residents, but could also work in other places. Just be careful to pick native plants whenever possible to avoid introducing anything invasive.
Organizations
International
Crop Trust "We are dedicated to conserving and making crop diversity available for use globally, forever and for the benefit of everyone."
North America
USA
Texas
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
Texas
Monarch Garden Grants "The Native Plant Society of Texas awards small grants to nature centers, schools, educational groups and others to help fund development of Monarch demonstration gardens or Monarch Waystations using native plants on public sites in Texas. The purpose of this program is to educate members, applicants, and the public about Monarch conservation and native plants, and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway."
Native American Seed: Grants "The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has partnered with Native American Seed to provide Seed Grants to Texas schools, nonprofits, and other worthy educational or child-centered organizations for creating wildflower demonstration areas on their campuses, enhancing existing wildflower plantings or other educationally directed projects. Seed Grants are not available for projects in private residences.
Seed Grants provide recipients with a gift certificate between $100 to $500 to purchase native wildflower and/or grass seeds from Native American Seed."