Alternative Seed Sources

Not everyone can, or is comfortable with shopping online, so sometimes getting the seeds you want can be a challenge.

The trip to the local home improvement store garden center, or the seed rack at the local hardware store sometimes is less than satisfying. Sometimes you just want to expand your horizon when it comes to the crops you grow on your own little plot of ground.

Enter your local supermarket and natural food store.

Many of the corporate chains have joined the bandwagon when it comes to offering "organic", vegetarian, and even vegan foods to their customers. In many stores, one will find an isle or two with organic foods including things like wheat berries, lentils, barley, wild rice, etc. Usually the seeds are in bulk bins.

They haven't been processed and are raw. That means, in many cases, the seeds are viable.

It's true. I'm running a test right now on stuff I bought out of the bins at the Raley's in a neighboring city.

So far, the wheat, lentils, quinoa, navy beans, barley, soy and flax have germinated and are growing! The only disappointment is the sesame seeds, but I haven't given up hope as the seeds have only been in the starter peat cups since Sunday. Three days, and these things are growing!

Frankly, I'm amazed at their progress. Especially since it is the middle of January.

The Raley's I visited is somewhat limited on the seed foods they have available. I'm going to have to visit a Whole Foods or one of the larger natural food stores when I get over into the San Francisco Bay Area the next time. I want to get some amaranth, rye, millet, and maybe some oats!

Now granted, the navy beans aren't exactly hard to come by. The local hardware store had packages of seed for about $2.00. It felt like maybe a dozen in the package. I bought an entire pound of the navy beans for $2.54. I'm not even going to attempt to count what is in that sack! So, it might actually be more cost effective to buy some of your seed from the organic food section of your local grocer!

Don't forget to check out the fresh organic vegetable isle for seeds as well! You can buy wax beans and similar and save the seed from a few while making your evening meal. I've saved the seed out of many peppers that I have bought.

I'd really like to try growing wild rice, but unfortunately where I live it isn't practical. If you live near a stream, pond or lake, you might want to give it a shot!