FAQ

•   Are your seeds GMO?

None of our seeds are genetically modified.  We believe gardeners should have the finest and purest seeds to grow some of the best and most nutritious food.  We do not believe in altering the genetics of our seeds with foreign genes.  We also believe gardeners should have the ability to save their own seeds, should they choose to.  We strongly encourage the growing awareness around the importance of the diversity in our food system and the biodiversity on our planet.

•   What are heirloom seeds?

Heirloom traditionally means that the seed variety has been passed down from generation to generation.  Fifty years is a common timeframe for a seed to be considered ‘heirloom’.  Heirloom represents that they are open-pollinated, not hybrid or genetically modified.  There are varieties which have been grown and selected for their desirable traits for thousands of years.

•   What does open-pollinated mean?

Open pollinated seeds will create similar offspring that resemble the original parents.  Open pollinated seeds produce offspring that are true-to-type.  Open-pollinated seeds adapt to your micro-climate, your soil and to you, hybrid seeds do not.  Open-pollinated seeds are not hybrids or genetically modified. 

•   Are  your seeds hybrids?

No.  Our seeds are all open-pollinated so that every gardener can save seeds from their garden!

•   What are hybrids?

Hybrid seeds originate from two different parent plants, of the same specie, that were genetically crossed to create the hybrid offspring.  Seeds of hybrid varieties can be sterile or commonly fail to breed true to type, it usually results in plant varieties that you do not know what you are going to get.

•   Are your seeds organic?

Most of our seeds are certified organic by CCOF and USDA.  It is important to conserve the genetic diversity of many endangered varieties that are not available organically available on a commercial basis.  We work with small farmers who use organic practices.

 

•   Are your seeds neonicotinoid-free?

Yes!  Here at The Living Seed Company we are passionate supporters of our pollinator allies and friends.  All of our flower seeds are neonicotinoid-free and none of our seeds have been sprayed or compromised in any way.  We believe in pure, clean seed that is just as healthy for you as it is for our earth and the creatures that we share our planet with!

 

•  Where do you source your seeds?

Depending on the year, we grow 10% - 20% of our own seed.  The rest we source from other seed farmers, primarily in California and Oregon.   All of our seed is grown in the United States.

• How long do seeds last?

Most vegetable seeds will maintain their viability for 3 - 5 years and in many cases as long as 10 years or longer.  Alliums (onions, leeks, chives, etc) are viable for 1 - 2 years.  

How seeds are stored is key in maintaining their viability.  We recommend storing seeds in a stable cold (no freezing), dark and dry location. 

We pride ourselves on sending you the most fresh, vibrant and high germinating seed.

• Do you ship internationally?

We ship throughout the United States and Canada.  We no longer ship beyond Canada, due to many countries plant restrictions and costly need for a phytosanitary certificate.  We apologize for this inconvenience.  After 10 years of serving our global customers, we are now unfortunately unable to.

• Do you send out a paper catalog?

We stopped printing/sending out paper catalogs early in our business in order to align with our environmental practices. We have a wonderful online catalog and orders are able to be made over the phone, if that is your preference. 

• Do you sell in bulk?

No.  We focus on the backyard gardener and only sell our seeds in small seed packets.