How to Find Heirloom Garden Seeds

Native Americans were the first farmers on this continent and they passed on seeds from generation to generation. Squash, beans and corn are the original heirloom garden seeds. The enduring popularity of gardening and the use of heirloom garden seeds are signs that traditional methods are not lost.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access

1. Find seed suppliers online by searching for "heirloom seeds." Browse the list of suppliers that appear for heirloom seed selections.

2. Check with an organic seed supplier. Many companies that sell organic garden seeds also provide heirloom varieties.

3. Stroll the vegetable and flower gardens of old homesteads and farmhouses in search of heirloom varieties. The heirloom perennials may still be viable, and the owner might be happy to share their beloved garden with a fellow gardener.

4. Shop the Amish country in search of heirloom garden seeds or ask the Amish women at their roadside stands. They pass their garden seeds down from generation to generation, making the seeds true heirlooms.

5. Order from Seedsavers, the pioneer organization in heirloom garden seeds and seed exchange. Collecting heirloom seeds since 1975, this nonprofit Iowa organization has evolved beyond the farm into a seed exchange, with catalog and Web site ordering capabilities.

6. Expect to find geographically specific heirloom seed varieties. The heirloom varieties offered in the Midwest will differ from those in the Northeast. Different ethnic groups passed down different varieties through the generations, depending on their homeland.

7. Visit a living history museum and stop at the gift shop to see if heirloom seeds from the gardens are available to purchase.