Seed Information
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Can a Seed go "Bad"? Does seed go bad? A question we've heard a lot working in this business. It's somewhat of a complicated answer--but here goes . . . If what you mean by "go bad" is cease to germinate due to age, then no, it does not go bad. A common misconception is that with time seed natur...
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Can you give me advice on how to grow my seeds?
We are happy to make suggestions to help the seed perform better. A natural product can have so many variables and seed will vary on needs based on where the seed was grown, what sort of weather the farms had, etc. Please let us know about your growing method, so we can offer our knowledge, thank... -
Does True Leaf Market Test Their Seeds?
Does True Leaf Market Test Their Seeds? By Erica Groneman Interview With Katherine, TLM Seed Compliance Lead Did you know that True Leaf Market has a rigorous seed testing regimen to ensure that all seeds sold at True Leaf Market are of the utmost quality and standard? Recently we had the oppo... -
Dormant Seed Vs. Hard Seed By Jerry Sawyer These two terms, while related, are not the same. They both result in delayed germination, but for different reasons. Hard seed is seed that are delayed mostly because of an extra hard seed coat. This can be a function of the species and also of the c...
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Many people will use our beans, grains, lentils etc. for food storage and cooking purposes. We only recommend using organic varieties for this. That being said we sell our product as seed and therefore it meets Germination standards mandated by the State. A large majority of seed can not only be ...
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Get To Know Your Seeds: A Seed Type Guide
We’ve had an influx of calls inquiring about the specifics of seed labeling—questions like “What is the difference between sprouting and microgreens seeds and traditional garden vegetable seeds?” and “Are heirloom seeds and open-pollinated seeds the same thing?” and a slew of others. We know it ... -
How long do seeds last in packets?
How long do seeds last in packets? By Ashleigh Smith Originally Published Nov 29, 2021 Updated Sep 27, 2022 Do Seeds Expire? Many people see a year written on the back of a seed packet and think this is an expiration date. While seeds do lose viability over time, they don’t have standard expi... -
The key to saving seeds is to keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place. Regardless of what type of seed you are storing, you will want to make sure they are completely dry. Any moisture left will eventually lead to molding and unviable seed. Some people like to store their seeds with silica gel d...
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We would like to assure you that we take all reasonable steps to ensure our seed is as clean as possible. You can take precautions, and safely soak the seeds in cold water and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide ( approximately 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide and 6-8 parts Water ). Make sure your hands are clean and a...
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Oat Seeds Explained By Ashleigh Smith When it comes to oats, the terminology used to describe the seed may get a little confusing. We are setting out to clear the air and help you use the best seed options for growing, sprouting, milling, and more! Some of the basic terms that need to be clarif...
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Thanks for the message. We receive our seeds from a number of sources, varying between individual seed lots. The majority are grown and come from the US, but we do have some varieties from Canada, Europe and other countries 🌎 The origin of the seeds is printed on a label for each of our seed prod...
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Saving Your Own Seeds By Ashleigh Smith How to Harvest Seed It is essential to recognize that seed harvesting and saving procedures may vary among different types of plants. However, this guide will provide you with the basics to get started. To collect a plant's seed, you should be familiar w...
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Seed compliance and pathogen testing
We would like to assure you that we take all reasonable steps to ensure our seed is as clean as possible. We want to make sure you understand that no company can provide 100% assurance that their seeds are without any trace of microbes. So please be cautious of suppliers who claim otherwise, or ... -
Seed Counts and Germination Seeds per gram, ounce, and pound. We get many questions about "how many seeds in a package". While many are listed on the individual variety pages, some may not have been included, so we offer these as a guideline. ***Please note these numbers are approximations - ...
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The "germ date" is the most recent germination test date for that particular lot of seeds. We test our seeds with a State lab to learn what the rate of germination is - what percentage of the seeds that sprout. Seeds should maintain their germination rate for one to two years from the germination...
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Seed labels, certifications and definitions
Seed Buying 101 - Knowing Labels | | | --- | | Seed DefinitionsHelpful definitions that clearly define seed labels. Yes, we are Certified Organic!We sell Certified Organic Heirloom Seeds. The proof is the document listed here in blue, or you may get a copy at the bottom of this page. This is... -
We would like to assure you that we take all reasonable steps to ensure our seed is as clean as possible. We want to make sure you understand that no company can provide 100% assurance that their seeds are without any trace of microbes. So please be cautious of suppliers who claim otherwise, or ...
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We recommend safety soaking seed in cold water for a few minutes to eliminate microbes of bacteria. This is done by using 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 8-10 parts water mixture to soak your seeds. Many professional growers use this practice as it helps eliminate variables and trace microbes are ...
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Seed Shelf Life / How to Store Seeds
Depending on circumstances, some seeds can last several years (*3-5 on average*) before any noticeable change in germination. Gradually over time the germination rate (*number of seeds that sprout*) will decrease. The temperature seeds are exposed to is a significant factor in how long that will ... -
Seed Stratification - Fall Planting
Seed Stratification - Fall Planting By Ashleigh Smith Published 5 Nov, 2021 Updated 15 Aug, 2023 Stratification is the process of mimicking seasonal climate conditions to trigger germination in seeds. These may include changing temperatures, humidity, or light cycles. Seeds such as native pla... -
Seed Viability By Ashleigh Smith While it is true that seeds can last a long time, their viability can decrease over time. This means that less seeds will germinate the longer they are stored. To help you have a better idea of how many seeds should germinate from that bucket of leftover seeds p...
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Tobacco Varieties Bright Leaf: Similar to Virginia tobacco varieties, Bright Leaf Tobacco is lighter, milder, and more aromatic than most other tobacco strains. Known for the yellowness of the leaves after curing with a specific Bright Leaf curing process, Bright Leaf tobacco plants do well in s...
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Triticale: The Wonder Grain by Lara Wadsworth Triticale, what I have dubbed as ‘The Wonder Grain’, is a grain developed in the late 1800s in Scotland by crossing wheat and rye. This unique and valuable grain has many uses, including as a cover crop, grinding into flour, and growing indoors as g...
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Vivipary - When A Seed Pre-germinates
Vivipary - When A Seed Pre-germinates By Ashleigh Smith Why Is My Seed Germinating Inside The Fruit? A few weeks ago I was cutting a spaghetti squash in half when I came across a stray seed germinating from WITHIN the squash. I thought, “What in the world?” This was so weird to me. I have neve... -
What Are Heirloom Seeds? By Ashleigh Smith If you are a returning reader, you have probably noticed our pride in providing a large selection of heirloom seeds. But, what exactly does it mean for a seed to be an heirloom variety? It means the seed is an open-pollinated variety at least 50 years ...
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Hard seed is perfectly normal to have in some seed varieties. Hard seed is the portion of the seed sample that does not germinate during the time period of the seed test, but is determined to be alive and respiring. The total viability (germ + hard seed) measures the ultimate plant producing abil...
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What is quinoa and what is it good for?
What is quinoa and what is it good for? By Erica Groneman Let’s talk about quinoa. These tiny seeds are classified as a superfood because they are chock full of nutrients. Many healthy drinks, shakes, and foods include quinoa. But what is quinoa? Where does it grow? And what are the benefits of... -
What Makes a Seed "Bad"? By Jordan Freytag Does seed go bad? A question we've heard a lot working in this business. It's somewhat of a complicated answer—but here goes . . . If what you mean by "go bad" is that the seed will spoil, then no, it does not go bad. If a seed has not been properly...
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Where Do True Leaf Market's Seeds Come From?
Where Do True Leaf Market's Seeds Come From? By Erica Groneman Interview With Seth Peterson, TLM Seed Farmer Do you ever wonder where your seeds come from? At True Leaf Market, we look for reputable and responsible sources for our seeds. These seed farms range from thousands to just a few acre...