Hello friends,
With just a few gardening seasons under my belt, I’ve already found seeds I plan to grow season after season.
When I started buying seeds in 2023, I didn’t exactly have a strategy — it was more about variety and beauty. I wanted seeds for vegetables I loved but could only find at specialty markets (like local Asian grocers), and I absolutely wanted color. Why choose orange carrots when red, yellow, or deep purple were options? Why grow plain green beans when I could have golden or purple?
Purple had me in a chokehold that first season. 💜
I also searched for fresh herbs that I loved to buy but couldn’t use up before they went bad — like Thai basil and Korean perilla (kkaennip). I dreamed of stepping outside to harvest just what I needed and reducing both food and money waste.
And yes, I definitely fell down the garden influencer rabbit hole and bought seeds from any company I saw mentioned repeatedly. (No regrets. Some of those impulse buys turned out to be treasures.)
🌱 What I’ve Learned About Buying Seeds
From these early seasons, I’ve picked up a few truths:
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Beauty doesn’t always equal production. I had to reconnect with why I was growing — to feed my household nourishing food.
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Hybrids are okay. I was hesitant at first, but now I look for varieties that help me grow more reliably and easily.
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Quality beats cheap. With the exception of a few herbs or flowers, I no longer buy seeds from certain retailers
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Growth habit matters. I’m firmly on #TeamDwarf for tomatoes, and if I’m planting in vertical planters, I check for container-friendly traits.
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Seed company values matter. I now consider the company’s mission and growing practices before purchasing.
🌿 A Few of My Favorite Seeds So Far
These are a few standout seeds I’ve grown and loved. The full list lives here on my blog and will be updated as I discover more.
🔸 Giant Red Mustard
Absolutely stunning. I grew it in a vertical planter the first time and loved it. Then I tried it in a raised bed — and it showed out. I even made a video about it if you'd like to see.
🔸 Upland Cress
A random pick during an end-of-season seed sale. It germinated easily, grew quickly, and added a mustard-meets-arugula kick to salads and sautés.
🔸 Bolero Carrots
These gave me my first truly successful carrot harvest. I used pelleted seeds from Johnny’s after seeing rave reviews from gardeners I trust. Smaller size was on me — next fall, I’ll be ready.
🔸 Tiny Tim Micro Dwarf Tomatoes
These tomatoes introduced me to the magic of dwarf varieties. I grew them hydroponically last fall and got more tomatoes off that one little plant than from all my summer plants combined. I’ve since found a seed company that specializes in dwarf types — I’m trialing a few now and will share the results soon.
🌾 Want to See the Whole List?
Of course I’ve got you, friend.
I’ve curated a page with seeds I love and where to buy them, and I’ll keep it updated as I grow and experiment. I believe in sharing what works — there’s enough for everyone, always. You can find that full list right here.
Have questions about a specific variety? Want to swap garden wins (or flops)? Drop a comment or reach out. I love hearing from fellow growers.
If you’re new here, welcome! I share cozy, grounded kitchen and garden content rooted in authenticity and intention.
May everything fall into place for you today. 🌿
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