Where do you buy your seeds or seedlings from? I was not aware until very recently that much of our garden seeds are now produced by companies owned by large pharmaceutical/chemical companies such as Monsanto, Dow and Bayer etc. These aren't seeds that are genetically modified. These are the plain old garden seeds you see in many grocery stores and nurseries. What in the world are bio-tech companies doing buying up seed companies? One can only speculate. Control is a big word. What they own they can potentially genetically modify? Or, what they own they can eliminate, thereby supplying their own GMO seeds to the farmers who can no longer buy the seeds they used to use? 
This chart shows us what seed companies are owned by which of the Big Six companies, the largest being Monsanto. These seeds are NOT genetically modified. But the patented seed (for example Big Beef tomato seeds or plants) come from companies owned by these giants. An article called Forewarned is Forearmed: Veggies owned by Monsanto by A Garden For The House provides a list of seeds and seedlings that are owned by Monsanto. Take a look: you will be amazed at the plant names you recognise. You can also assured that the majority of big box stores will be buying their seeds from these guys.
What can you do? There are still some smaller seed companies around that are not owned by the Big Six.
Ask you seed supplier. Do they buy from any of these seed companies? Look for small, local seed companies who collect and sell their own seed. I am buying from Salt Spring Seeds. They grow and collect their own seeds. Unfortunately they can't ship to the USA because of customs regulations. They do ship internationally.
Look for local seed exchanges. Don't buy your seeds at all! Trade them with other gardeners in your area. Here is an article with a lot of links to seed exchanges. Start collecting your own seeds. Cheapest, safest way, hands down.
Where do YOU buy your seeds? Can you recommend any seed companies that grow and collect their own seeds or buy only from companies that have no ties to bio tech companies?
This post has been linked up to Natural Parenting Group Blog Hop, Patchwork Living Blog Hop, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #16, Our Simple Farm link up, Living Well Blog Hop 31, Real Food Forager's Fat Tuesday and Hometead Barn Hop #51.
I would love to collect and save some of my own seeds this year. Any tips you have on how to do this would be much appreciated! :)
ReplyDeleteBeans, peas, lettuce and tomatoes are easy ones to start collecting since you don't have to worry about cross pollination. Here is a link to get you started:
Deletehttp://www.seedsave.org/issi/904/beginner.html
Use heirloom seeds over hybrid seeds so the seeds you collect will be useable.
Here is another, fantastic and very detailed link for saving seeds:
Deletehttp://www.saltspringseeds.com/articles/how-to-save-seeds.htm
I bought from West Coast Seeds last year, in Delta BC. I need to ring them and ask if they are associated with Monsanto in any way, unless you already know the answer to that?
ReplyDeleteI will go have a look at Salt Spring, because I'm way behind on my seed ordering.
From what I know about West Coast Seeds is that they proudly do NOT sell GMO seeds but unfortunately they do carry seeds purchased from companies that are owned by the Big Six. This was disappointing to me because up until now I purchased from there too.
DeleteThat's helpful, thanks. I think Territorial seed, in the US takes the same approach. Until the retailers can take the hard route of saying no to the big boys, we will not be on the right track to longterm well being.
DeleteI am not a gardener that has much experience starting from seeds, but this is exactly why we need more transparency and knowledge about our food system. I was just reading, the somewhat controversial article, Forewarned is Forearmed: Veggies owned by Monsanto earlier and am surprised about the sheer number that is owned by Monsanto. Even gardeners are under pressure to buy from Monsanto, and often unknowingly.
ReplyDeleteI would certainly say that most gardeners aren't aware of this. Thanks for your support! That is the article that opened my eyes to it all too.
DeleteVery Good Post. I thank you for posting it! Please stop by "The Redeemed Gardener" anytime!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. The proliferation of biotech is one of my pet peeves. I've never had to put so much effort into my purchases as I do now. GMOs are everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing it up.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.
Thanks,
non gmo seeds
DH and I are working hard to save all our own seeds. We've also participated in some seed exchanges this spring, which is fun.
ReplyDeleteEven if you save all your own seeds, you may want to consider seed exchanges to help prevent too much inbreeding if nothing else.