It is becoming more and more apparent the importance of growing some of your own food items.
Whether you are finding the steady increase in grocery costs hurting your financial budget; or you simply want to know where your food is coming from; or you want to begin to focus on self-sustainability; there are numerous reasons why people choose to start growing food wherever they are located, either through herbs in your window sill, to your patio, to a full fledge garden area (you choose).
With the choice to grow at home comes the question, are you going to start your plants from seeds?
It can get quite costly to purchase starter seedlings from the nurseries depending on how many you require. In the beginning of my garden journey, I did purchase seedlings from the garden centres. At that time, I was not aware of all the options available. (This goes back to the concept, every year you learn and partake in more and more areas of knowledge, then they become second nature).
Why do I like starting from seeds? I LOVE having the control of what I want to grow when I want to grow it! Through a nursery you are limited to what is in stock. There are so many wonderful seed varieties and choices available. I now view a seed catalogue, like I viewed a toy catalogue, as a child!
For planting your own garden and starting from seed, January becomes a time to plan your garden and order your seeds (if you are in a growing zone similar to mine). In Canada, we are fortunate when purchasing seeds as there are some great companies to choose from.
These last few years the demand for seeds have increased tri-fold. Seed companies have struggled to keep up and have limited order time just to recoup and see where their inventories are at. Does 2024 hold the same? Only time will tell. My prediction is more people will begin to grow gardens from home … so again the time to choose seeds is now!
Where I Buy
These are some of the Canadian seed companies I have personally have had good luck with or am choosing from this year. These are listed in alphabetical order. By no means are these all the seed companies in Canada … however, it gives you a place to start if you are new to gardening. (I have no financial affiliation with any of the companies).
Heritage Harvest Seed Company
Heritage Harvest Seed is a Canadian seed company that specializes in rare heirloom seeds. They are located in Manitoba. All seed is open-pollinated, non-hybrid, non-GMO, and untreated.
Richters
Richters is a major Canadian provider of seeds for herbal plants within Ontario, if you grow your own herbs or make your own herbal products, Richters asks you make them your destination. They offer seeds and baby plants for many specialty varieties and hard-to-find plants. Richters does not sell GMO seeds.
McKenzie Seeds
McKenzie Seeds is a large seed company in Manitoba. They offer a wide range of seeds. McKenzie’s seeds are available in many big box and independent garden centers across Canada. McKenzie does not sell GMO seeds.
OSC Seeds
OSC Seeds, also called the Ontario Seed Company Ltd., is a large seed company located in Ontario. You see their seed packets in many store locations in your area, as well as, you can order online.
West Coast Seeds
West Coast Seeds is, a major Canadian seed company, located in British Columbia. Specializing in a wide variety of seeds. West Coast Seeds only offers non-GMO, non-GEO seeds, that are never chemically treated. I personally love their website as it has so much detail and information!
William Dam Seeds
William Dam Seeds is a family-run seed company located in Ontario. William Dam Seeds does not sell GMO seeds.
