Making an organic garden- plant question

goodgalpal

Hubby and I make a garden in our yard every year. We always buy plants that have been started (from Lowe's). We don't use any sort of fertilizers or pesticides, etc.

I was thinking of trying to start the plants from seed this year. Is there such a thing as getting certified organic seeds to start plants or would it be fine to just get regular seeds? Should I just buy the started plants again?

We're going to seek out heirloom varieties when possible based on that article someone posted on here recently. More nutrients in the heirloom types.

I am seeking all thoughts and opinions.

treesapplaud

I prefer heirloom or organic seeds.They're better.

That being said, because I'm on a serious budget when it come to gardening, (it can turn into a very expensive hobby!) I tend to take whichever seeds I can swap, find or am given. Find other gardeners or even do a seed swap on here. Then the heirloom & organics can be more affordable. No one ever uses a whole pack of tomato seeds, even in two years. The dollars store had seeds 4 for a dollar last time I was home visiting so I bought 8 packets then.

Regardless of what kind of seeds I have I grow them without any pesticides... if you do end up with bugs, there are loads of EF ways to combat this, usually involving a spray bottle (a necessary investment!) and a little baking soda or dish liquid. google for the right propaortions and usage istructions.

For fertilizers, here in Sweden there is one of these miracle grow-type of liquid fertilizers that is organic. Look for something similar at a garden store. There is also fertilizers made from used tea bags or putting a little compost in water and soaking it. Old aquarium water is a wonderful fertilizer if you have any friends with an aquarium. (We have two as it is my DH's hobby and I confess to giving away 2 liter bottles of the stuff to gardening friends, especially around the time of flowering!)

Hope this helps!

danaann78

I always grow from seed.  It's really not hard.  You can get certified organic seeds from Burpee and Park Seed.  I haven't bought organic seeds before.  I usually buy the regular ones and then just grow them without any chemicals.  Towards the end of the season I start saving seeds in little jars for the following year.  Unless you plan on selling the fruits of your labor as organic (which I don't think you can actually do without a government certification), I think it would be fine to use regular seeds.  Definitely go with heirloom varieties, though. 

jennterrell

seedsavers.org

they sell tons of heirloom varieties, most of which are organic. I can highly recommend them. We esp like their Royalty Purple Pod Green Beans, and Rose Finn Apple Potatoes, as well as their Lettuce Mix. DH and I were just poring over the catalog yesterday as a matter of fact, and getting our order ready. They also sell tomato and pepper transplants, which are a better option with the short growing season we have here. If I try to start tomatoes or peppers from seed, I'm lucky to get one fruit before it frosts

nkintzel

https://rareseeds.com/

For heirloom and organic seends.