The Canadian Organic Grower presents our select list of seed companies that offer items of interest to our readers. Most of the companies sell organic seed, some is certified and some is not, and several companies carry only a line of organic seed in addition to their conventionally-grown seed. Be sure to check and see what seed is organic before you order, and if you’re applying for certification, keep a record of the companies’ certification details. There are a few companies in the list that don’t sell organic seed but do sell unusual seed stock that is not available organically, such as nut trees.
A number of companies responded to a survey we conducted; their responses to the question “Why do you sell organic seed?” are listed below their contact information, and the answers to other questions can be found in the table on pages 44–45.
The standard caveats: inclusion in this list does not imply a recommendation by Canadian Organic Growers and no claims are made as to comprehensiveness and accuracy.
Seed Sources
Agrestal Organic Heritage Seed Co. Hand-grown, certified organic, open-pollinated varieties of heirloom vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. Box 646, Gormley ON L0H 1G0. T:905-888-1881 F:905-888-0094 www.agrestalseeds.com
Why organic? “Personal interest and life philosophy.”
AgroHaitai Company. Non-GMO oriental vegetable seeds. 644 Main St. W. Unit 1214, Hamilton ON L8S 1A1. T:519-647-2280 www.agrohaitai.com
Allan, Ken. Short season sweet potatoes and other vegetables. 61 South Barlett St., Kingston ON K7K 1X3. allan@kingston.net
Beaver Pond Estates. Seed garlic. 3656 Bolingbroke Rd., Maberly ON K0H 2B0. T:613-273-5683 garlic@rideau.net
Why organic? “Too many people selling supposedly ‘organic’ products were blatantly cheating, riding the crest of the organic wave. We found it necessary to certify to make this message clear.”
Boundary Garlic. Seed garlic. Box 273, Midway BC V0H 1M0. T:250-449-2152 Fax by arrangement www.garlicfarm.ca
Why organic? “We were already growing organic and so when we began selling across Canada we became certified for our customers assurance.”
CHII. Bulk orders of hemp seed available upon special arrangement. Note that federal licenses are required to grow hemp. Box 5625, Victoria BC V8R 6S4. T:250-920-7333 www.chii.ca
Why organic? “I only eat organic so why sell anything else.”
Circle Dance Seeds. Open-pollinated, short-season vegetables, herbs, flowers. RR3, 84354 McNabb Line, Brussels ON N0G 1H0. T:519-887-9793 www.cdseeds.ca
Why organic? “I have been involved in the whole food and organic movement for more than 30 years. Growing up in Toronto during the ‘60s and ‘70s, I was always very aware of the need for sustainability.”
Corn Hill Nursery. Hardy roses, fruit trees, perennials. 2700 Route 890, Corn Hill NB E4Z 1M2. T:506- 756-3635. F:506-756-1087 www.cornhillnursery.com
Cottage Gardener. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 4199 Gilmore Rd., RR1, Newtonville ON L0A 1J0. T:905- 786-2388 F:905-786-2204 www.cottagegardener.com
“We have always gardened organically, and have a lifestyle aimed at leaving as small a footprint on the earth as possible. The selling of organic seeds and plants is just a further manifestation of our life philosophy.”
Country Lane Herbs & Dried Flowers. Herbs. RR3, Puslinch ON N0B 2J0. T/F:905-659-7327.
Country Meadows. Vegetables, flowers. 1165 Ravenshoe Rd., Queensville ON L0G 1R0. T:905-478-1201 F:905-478-7931 certifiedorganicgardener@home.com
Dominion Seed House. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 2500, Georgetown ON L7G 5L6. T:800-784-3037 F:800-282-5746 www.dominion-seed-house.com
Ecogenesis. Heirloom and Native American vegetables, herbs and flowers. Box 111, Homestead Dr., Mount Hope ON L0R 1W0. T:877-836-3693 www.ecogenesis.ca
Why organic? “Organic delivers optimal food value.”
Edible Landscapes. Permaculture plants, herbs, fruit and nut trees, tubers. 1732 Pell Rd., Roberts Creek BC V0N 2W1. T:604-885-4505 F:604-885-0302 www.ediblelandscapes.ca
Why organic? “We must all clean the world in our own way and this is something I can do. My property is clean and healthy for all creatures and will stay that way as long as I stand on it.”
Eternal Seed. Heirloom herbs, flowers, vegetables. 657 Pritchard Rd., Farrelton QC J0X 1T0. T:819-827-8881 edecas@travel-net.com
La Ferme de Bullion. 1555 Coteau des Hêtres, StAndré d’Argenteuil QC J0V 1X0. T:450-562-0104 debullion@sympatico.ca
Fish Lake Garlic Man. Seed garlic. RR2, Demorestville ON K0K 1W0. T:613-476-8030.
Full Circle Seeds. Open-pollinated vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 807, Sooke BC V0S 1N0. T:250-642-3671 F:250-642-3671 www.fullcircleseeds.com
Why organic? “Because I enjoy growing and love to care for my land.”
Garlic Acres. Garlic, shallots. Box 56, Erickson BC V0B 1K0. T:250-428-9939 www.garlic-acres.com
Gaze Seed Co. Ltd. Seeds, trees and garden supplies. Box 640, 9 Buchanan St., St. John’s NF A1C 5K8. T:709-722-4590 F:709-722-9945 www.gazeseed.com
Goûtzy Canada Inc. Vegetables, edible flowers, herbs. 279 Sherbrooke West, Unit 310, Montréal QC H2X 1Y2. T:514-284-6556 F:514-284-6696 www.goutzy.com
Great Lakes Organic Inc. Grain, soybeans, alfalfa, corn. 4359 Petrolia Line, Unit 4, Enniskillen ON N0N 1R0. T:519-882-4526 F:519-882-0355 www.greatlakesorganic.com
Green Space Design Organic Seeds. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 122, Manson’s Landing, Cortes Island BC V0P 1K0. T:250-935-0135 www.organic-seeds.ca
Greta’s Organic Gardens. Open-pollinated vegetables, 156 tomato varieties. 399 River Rd., Ottawa ON K1V 1C9. T:613-521-8648 F:613-521-5792 www.seeds-organic.com
Why organic? “I have always grown everything organically; for me, that is the only way to do it.”
Grimo Nut Nursery. Hardy nut trees. 979 Lakeshore Rd. RR3, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0. T:905-934-6887 F:905-935-6887 www.grimonut.com
Guilford’s Organic Seed and Feed. Grain, flax, hemp, lentils, peas. Box 70, Clearwater MB R0K 0M0. T:204-873-2454 organic@mts.net
Halifax Seed Company. Flowers, herbs, vegetables. 5860 Kane St. Box 8026 Stn A, Halifax NS B3K 5L8. T:902-454-7456 F:902-455-5271 www.halifaxseed.com
Dave Harry. Rye, spelt, red clover, buckwheat, soybeans, o/p corn. RR 3, Stirling ON K0K 3E0. T:613-395-2653 h.harry@sympatico.ca
Hendrick Seeds. Barley, oats, soybeans, wheat. 11791 Sandy Row, RR1, Inkerman ON K0E 1J0. T:613-774-3469
Herbal Touch. Herbs. Box 300, 30 Dover St., Otterville ON N0J 1R0. T/F:519-879-6812 www.theherbaltouch.com
Heritage Harvest Seed. Heirloom vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 2177, Carman MB R0G 0J0. T:204-745-6489 F:204-745-6489 heritageharvestseed@hotmail.com
Why organic? “Because I have always grown organically and do not believe in using chemicals.”
Highwood Crossing Farm Ltd. Grain, flax. Box 25, Aldersyde AB T0L 0A0. T:403-652-1910 F:403-652-7511 www.highwoodcrossing.com
Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens Ltd. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 101 Bellerose Dr., St. Albert AB T8N 8N8. T:780-419-6800 F:780-459-6042 www.holesonline.com
Why organic? “We were intrigued by some of the varieties that were available as certified organic. More people want vegetables grown without pesticides. The demand has increased for organic seeds, especially for vegetables.”
Homestead Organics. Field crops (grain, forage and cover crops), Aimers Organics and Terra Edibles. 1 Union St., Berwick ON K0C 1G0. T:877-984-0480 F:613-984-0481 www.homesteadorganics.ca
Hope Seeds and Perennials. Heritage vegetable, flower and herb seeds for short seasons; many have historical/cultural connections to the Maritime area. 279 South Ridge Rd., Knowlesville NB E7L 4T1. T:506-246-5570 F:506-278-9984 www.hopeseed.com
Horticlub. Vegetables, herbs, flowers. 2914 boul Curé- Labelle, Laval QC H7P 5R9. T:800-723-9071 F:800-282-5746 www.horticlub.com Hortico Inc. Fruit and nuts. RR1, 723 Robson Rd., Waterdown ON L0R 2H1. T:905-689-9323 F:905-689-6566 www.hortico.com
Inner Coast Nursery. Apple, plum, pear, peach, cherry and medlar trees. Box 115, Mansons Landing, Cortes Island BC V0P 1K0. T:250-935-6384 innersea@oberon.ark.com
Interlake Forage Seeds. Alfalfa, native grasses. Box 190, Fisher Branch MB R0C 020. T:204-372-6920 F:204-372-6635 www.interlakeforageseeds.com
Les Jardins du Grand Portage. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 800, ch du Portage, Saint-Didace QC J0K 2G0. T/F:450-835-5813 colloidales@pandore.qc.ca
Les Jardins des Semenciers. 2071 ch Principal, St-Gérard des Laurentides QC G9R 1G1. T:819-539-6050 jardinsdessemenciers@hotmail.com
Kettleby Herb Farms. Herbs.15495 Weston Rd., Kettleby ON L0G 1J0. T:905-727-8344. F:905-727- 1415 www.kettlebyherbfarms.com
La société des plantes. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 207 rg de L’Embarras, Kamouraska QC G0L 1M0. T:418-492-2493 www.lasocietedesplantes.com
Why organic? “We believe in organic food.”
Labon Inc. Unusual forage and cover crop seeds. 1350 Newton St., Boucherville QC J4B 5H2. T:514- 641-1050 F:514-641-4979 www.labon.net
Lindenberg Seeds Ltd. Vegetables, flowers, herbs for northern climates. 803 Princess Ave., Brandon MB R7A 0P5. T:204-727-0575 F:204-727-2832 www.lindenbergseeds.ca
Why organic? “To offer more variety to our customers.”
Maple Bay Organic Seed Garlic. Seed garlic. 6462 Pacific Dr., Duncan BC V9L 5S7. T:250-746-7466 www.mbgarlic.com
Why organic? “It is how we have always grown our food.”
Mapple Farm. Sweet potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, shallots, distinctive tomato seed. 129 Beech Hill Rd., Weldon NB E4H 4N5. T/F:506-734-3361 wingate@nbnet.nb.ca
Why organic? “To be a responsible steward of the land and to help offer people an increased supply of organic materials.”
McFayden Seed Co. Ltd. Vegetables, herbs, flowers. 30-9th St., Brandon MB R7A 6E1. T:800-205-7111 F:204-725-1888 www.mcfayden.com
Merrylynd Organics. Grains, pulses. RR4, Lakefield ON K0L 2H0. T/F:705-755-1081 www.merrylynd.com
Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds. Grain, bean and seed for sprouters. Box 80, 118-1st Ave. W, Parkside SK S0J 2A0. T:306-747-2935 F:306-747-3618 www.sprouting.com
Mycosource Inc. o/a Fun Guy Farm. Mushroom cultures. 21 Maple Ave., Toronto ON M4W 2T5. T:416-963-5520 www.mycosource.com
Why organic? “I believe in organic production.”
Northern Oasis Tropical Seeds & Plants. Edible native and exotic plants. 445 Selsey Dr., Mississauga ON L5A 1B7. T:905-897-6816 www.northernoasis.com
OntarBio/Organic Meadow. Spelt. 5653 Hwy 6, Guelph ON N1H 6J2. T:519-767-9694 F:519-767- 0978 www.ontarbio.com
Ontario Seed Co. (OSC). Aimers’ vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 7, 330 Phillip St., Waterloo ON N2J 3Z6. T:519-886-0557 F:519-886-0605 www.oscseeds.com
Organic Milling Co-operative. Grains, golden flax, lentils, soybeans. 4218 Wyatt Rd., Armstrong BC V0E 1B4. T:250-546-2712 F:250-546-2713 agunner@junction.net
Pepiniere ancestrale. Heritage and hardy fruit trees, bushes. 22 rue Marie-Perle, Victoriaville QC G6T 2A5. T:819-344-5511 www.pepiniereancestrale.com
Prairie Garden Seeds. Open-pollinated short-season vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 2758, Humboldt SK S0K 2A0. T:306-682-1475 www.prseeds.ca
Why organic? “I have never used agricultural chemicals as I am not convinced that they are good for my health and that of the environment. I believe it is not possible to farm sustainably using chemicals.”
Rainforest Mushroom Spawn. Mushroom cultures. Box 1793, Gibsons BC V0N 1V0. T:604-886-7799 F:604-886-9626
RDR Grains et Semences. Wheat, oats, soybeans, corn, peas. 3680 rg Les 60, Nicolet QC J3T 1P4. T:819-293-2001 F:819-293-2002 www.semencesrdr.com
Rhora’s Nut Farm & Nursery. Hardy nut, unusual fruit and ornamental trees. 32983 Wills Rd., RR1, Wainsfleet ON L0S 1V0. T/F:905-899-3508
Richters Herb Specialists. Herbs. Box 26, Goodwood ON L0C 1A0. T:905-640-6677 F:905-640-6641 www.richters.com
Rowland Seeds Inc. Grain. Box 4776, Taber AB T1G 2E1. T:403-223-8164 F:403-223-8163
Sage Garden Herbs. Herbs. 3410 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg MB R2N 4E2. T:204-257-2715 www.herbs.mb.ca
Salt Spring Seeds. Beans, grains, tomatoes, lettuces, garlic, medicinal & culinary herbs. Box 444, Ganges, Salt Spring Island BC V8K 2W1. T:250-537-5269 www.saltspringseeds.com
Why organic? “No other way is sane.”
Seeds of Victoria. Heritage open-pollinated vegetables, old-fashioned flowers, herbs, winter vegetables. 395 Conway Rd., Victoria BC V9E 2B9. T:250-881-1555 F:250-881-1304 www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath
Doug Shirray Seeds. Corn, alfalfa, untreated seed for silage crops, grain. Box 765, Tavistock ON N0B 2R0. T:519-655-2570.
Why organic? “We evolved with customers; we were always interested.”
Siloam Orchards. Heritage disease-resistant fruit trees, small fruit bushes, asparagus. RR1, 7300 3rd Conc., Uxbridge ON L9P 1R1. T:905-852-9418 F:905-852-3182 www.siloamorchards.com
Sobio. Potatoes. 909 rue Simard, Saint-Ambroise QC G7P 2V1. T:418-672-2509 www.sobio.net
Speare Seeds. Vetch, oilseed radish, clover, rye. Box 171, Harriston ON N0G 1Z0. T:519-338-3840 F:519-338-2510
Spring Arbour Farm. Heritage vegetables and flowers. RR1, Walsingham ON N0E 1X0. T/F:519-875-4883 www.springarbourfarm.com
Springwillow Farms. Potatoes. RR3, Belfast PE C0A 1A0. T:902-659-2081 www.springwillowfarms.com
Sproutmaster. Beans, grains for sprouting. Box 43 Site W RR3, Elmvale ON L0L 1P0. T:705-322-2222 F:705-322-8386 www.sproutmaster.com
Stellar Seeds. Vegetables, flowers, herbs, cover crops. S6, C5, RR1, Sorrento BC V0E 2W0. T:250-835-8851 www.stellarseeds.com
“Organic is the only method of agricultural production I would consider doing. Growing seeds is a pleasurable farming endeavour that gives one a broader understanding of plant life cycles and introduces the grower to more on-farm biodiversity, through the abundance of beneficial insects attracted to flowering plants as well as through expanded understanding of the wealth of cultivars available to us from our agricultural heritage.”
Stokes Seeds Ltd. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 10, St. Catharines ON L2R 6R6. T:800-386-8238 F:888-834-3334 www.stokeseeds.com
Sunshine Farm Seeds. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 2225 Saucier Rd., Kelowna BC V1W 4B8. T:250-764-4810 F:250-764-0410 www.sunshinefarm.net
“We have always grown organically, from our kitchen garden in Victoria, BC, to our farm here in the Okanagan. We have a deep philosophical bent towards sustainability and stewardship of the land, ultimately the land is ours only in trust and we must leave it clean and fertile for future generations.”
Taylor Seeds. Vegetables, standard and unusual fruit and nuts. 2103 boul. Perrot ND, Ile Perrot QC J7V 8P4. T/F:514-453-9757 www.windmillpointfarm.ca
“Our farm is a beacon for those with a social conscience who are looking for a healthier food source.”
Terra Edibles. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 535 Ashley St., Box 164, Foxboro ON K0K 2B0. T:613-961-0654 F:613-961-1462 www.terraedibles.ca
Why organic? “No other way makes sense!”
Three Boys Organic Farm. Garlic. 337 Stace Rd., Creston BC V0B 1G0. T:250-428-9503 www.organicgarlic.ca
Tropic To Tropic Plants. Exotic fruit and other plants for zone 8. 1170 53A St. S, Delta BC V4M 3E3. T:604-943-6562 F:604-948-1996. www.tropic.ca
Two Wings Farm Seeds. Vegetables, herbs. 4768 William Head Rd., Metchosin BC V9C 3Y7. T:250- 478-3794 F:250-478-3784 www.twowingsfarm.com
Why organic? “We were environmentalists first. When we started farming, we knew it would be organically …and because we felt a responsibility to our customers, our farm is certified.”
Upper Canada Seeds. Tomatoes. 8 Royal Doulton Dr., Don Mills ON M3A 1N4. T:416-447-5321 www.uppercanadaseeds.ca
Urban Harvest Garden Alternatives. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 176, Stn. C, Toronto ON M6J 3M9. T:416-504-1653 F:416-504-7426 www.uharvest.ca
“I have always grown organically and have been since childhood. The wonderful closed loop of growing, dying, composting and feeding in order to grow again is such a beautiful thing. We like to let nature show the way.”
Vesey’s Seeds Ltd. Vegetable, herbs, flowers, potatoes. Box 9000, Charlottetown PEI C1A 8K6. T:800-363-7333 F:800-686-0329 www.veseys.com
Wehrmann Farms. Soybeans, grains. RR1, Ripley ON N0G 2R0. T:519-395-3126 F:519-395-2935. ingasven@hurontel.on.ca
West Coast Seeds Ltd. Vegetables, herbs. 3925 64 St., Delta BC V4K 3N2 T:604-952-8820 F:877-482-8822 www.westcoastseeds.com
Why organic? “To support local growers, help further cause of organics, care for the earth…”.
Western Biologicals Ltd. Mushrooms, herbs. Box 283, Aldergrove BC V4W 2T8. T/F:604-856-3339 western@prismnet.bc.ca
WG Thompson & Sons Ltd. Soybeans. 2 Hyland Dr. Box 250, Blenheim ON N0P 1A0. T:800-265-5225 F:519-676-3185
WH Perron. See Horticlub.
William Dam Seeds Ltd. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 279 Hwy 8, Hamilton ON L9H 5E1 T:905-628-6641 F:905-627-1729 www.damseeds.com
“We believe in sustainable farming. Some of our commercial seed growers began to offer organic seeds, so we were delighted to offer them to our customers.”
Windmill Point Farm. See Taylor Seeds.
Woodwinds Nursery. Rare fruit trees. Box 21-13, Bluevale ON N0G 1G0. T:519-349-2743
Wylie Mycologicals. Mushroom spawn. RR1, 166 Bass Lake South Shore Rd., Wiarton ON N0H 2T0. T:519-534-1570 F:519-534-9045 www.wyliemycologicals.ca
Yuko’s Open Pollinated Seeds. Heirloom vegetables, herbs, fruit, ornamentals. 405 Lake Ave. E, Carleton Place ON K7C 3R9. www.yuko.ca/seeds
Other sources of organics
Abundant Life Seeds. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box 157, Saginaw OR USA 97472-0157. T:541-767-9606 F:866-514-7333 www.abundantlifeseeds.com
Buckwheat Growers Association of Minnesota. Forage, field peas, oats, wheat. 206 Aldrich Ave., Wadena MN USA 56482. T:218-445-5475 F:218-631-9212 www.buckwheatgrowers.com
The Cooks’ Garden. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. Box C5030, Warminster PA USA 18974. T:800-457-9703 www.cooksgarden.com
Fedco Seeds (co-op). Cold-hardy vegetables, cover crops. Box 520, Waterville ME USA 04903. T:207-873-7333 F:207-872-8317 www.fedcoseeds.com
Henry Doubleday Research Ass’n. UK. This British charity offers heirloom vegetables, flowers and green manures through their Garden Organic catalogue. www.OrganicCatalogue.com
High Mowing Seeds. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 76 Quarry Rd., Wolcott VT USA 05680 T:802-472-6174 F:802-472-3201 www.highmowingseeds.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Vegetables, flowers, herbs. 955 Benton Ave., Winslow ME USA 04901 T:877-564-6697 F:800-738-6314 www.johnnyseeds.com
Nichols Garden Nursery. Vegetables, herbs, rare seeds. 1190 Old Salem Road NE, Albany OR USA 97321-4580 T:800-422-3985 F:800-231-5306 www.nicholsgardennursery.com
North Dakota Foundation Seedstocks. Grains, legumes. Box 5051, Fargo ND USA 58105 T:701-231-8140 F:701-231-8474 www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/seedstock/fss/ fsshome.htm
Seeds of Change. Seed breeding, production and distribution. Box 15700, Santa Fe NM USA 87592 T:505-438-6512 F:505-438-6523 www.seedsofchange.com
Seed Exchanges
Seed Savers Exchange. 3076 North Winn Rd, Decorah IA USA 52101 www.seedsavers.org
Seeds of Diversity Canada. Box 36, Stn Q, Toronto ON M4T 2L7. T:905-623-0353. www.seeds.ca Grassroots seed exchange.
Members save and exchange seeds for heirloom, rare and unusual varieties of vegetables, fruit, grain, herbs, flowers. Members also receive a quarterly magazine.
Education
Organic Seed Alliance. Promoting the value of seed and seed-saving skills. Box 772, Port Townsend WA USA 98368 T:360-385-7192 F:360-385-7455 www.seedalliance.org