Topic: American Seed Sites

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

when do people start ordering from american seed sites to avoid things running out, especially heritage stuff?

i'm thinking of Baker Creek seeds http://rareseeds.com/ and southern exposure http://www.southernexposure.com/index.html
for instance

[Rob08]

I must admit I have never had a problem with supply from Bakers Creek or Southern Exposure.  Mostly I tend to order over the winter (anytime from now to April) and so far have had no problems with items being out of stock.

With smaller suppliers such as Amishland I think it is more important to order early (autumn usually just after the seeds have been gathered/batched).

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

thanks. That Amishland site is great. Cama across it earlier ths year. Very erm......enthusiastic!

[Rob08]

thanks. That Amishland site is great. Cama across it earlier ths year. Very erm......enthusiastic!

You should buy from her - the after care is amazing!

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Rob08 - sounds interesting ??

also has anyone bought from Seed Savers Exchange - min order $100?

[Baccy Man]

Jeannine has used seed savers but there were some problems see this thread for details.
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,30651.0.html

[Barnowl]

I've just bought from www.peppermania.com.Seeds arrived safely except for one variety which she had run out of. Apparently tried to reach me by e-mail but when  no reply sent two other varieties as a replacement.  One of the replacements is "Queen Laurie" which I've never heard of,  but is a genuine variety registered at USDA and a baccatum, like the missing seed, so I'm pretty happy.

I also note that the variety she'd run out of has been removed from the website.

I've also used  rareseeds (Baker Street) and Amishland without any problems. Both have good back up if you have any queries.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

thanks for that - it's beans that i'm mostly after too - from the other thread I thought that phytosanitary certificates were only required for lima beans , and only if you were a commercial grower. More work needed, i'll read the Defra thing. It's probably all down to the War On Terror  ???

[Amazin]

it's beans that i'm mostly after too...

...It's probably all down to the War On Terror 

Gas attacks?

 ;D

[Jeannine]

Seed Savers were a nuisance, they tool my order and then only sent part of it, they refused to send tomatoes and beans,this is the only company that has fone this. I have since found others I can get most things from and I will use members from Seed Savers if I am stuck.

I have never had any trouble with back orders with anyone, however at this time of thr year I do get e mails saying they are still getting their 2008 stock together and I wait and have the whole order sent at once rather than in bits ot getting 2007 stuff. I have sent several orders off in thr last two weeks with no problems.

XX Jeannine

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

thanks. It seems that from the Defra thing commercial growers do need certificates to import toms and beans from the US. Whether that applies to us is another matter, I guess it does, whatever common sense might say. Just take a chance with Baker Creek or the Amish woman etc, and hope they get through.
Interesting that a report this week said that of all the fraud and criminal activity done by people working FOR the government, HALF of it was done by Customs and Excise alone...........

[Rob08]

I think I am lucky in that Ireland is much more relaxed about imports like this.  I have never had any seedstock confiscated, and have had items send in from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand the US and Canada and once even from Taiwan.  So far no probs. 

Just as well then that I have decided to keep an address in Ireland when I move to the UK, can keep having the seedstock sent there.

[Froglegs]

I have never had any seedstock confiscated, and have had items send in from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand the US and Canada and once even from Taiwan.  So far no probs.

Rob08,Have you got any address for us,or web sites.

[Rob08]

I have never had any seedstock confiscated, and have had items send in from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand the US and Canada and once even from Taiwan.  So far no probs.

Rob08,Have you got any address for us,or web sites.

South Africa was seed sent up by family - the commercial brand Stark Ayres, Taiwan was through Gardenweb, Australia as well.  New Zealand was a company specialising in tropical fruits and the odd veg (I will have to search for the website) and Canada was a seedsaver network.

The US was the companies I have already mentioned - Bakers Creek, Southern Exposure, Amishland and some private collectors via Gardenweb.

[Jeannine]

Just to clarify... I have never had anything confiscated and have never paid any duty what I have found is one or two US suppliers that won't send to the UK without the certificate, those that do , the seeds always get through so I don't bother with those companies who won't send without. I was unhappy with Seed savers because I am a member but I still can use their catalogues for private swaps. I have always been able to find an alternative supplier for all I need so I am not bothered by it much.

XX Jeannine