Kelsey Wulf

Otter Tail County Master Gardener

After living and working at an organic vegetable farm in Pelican Rapids for four years (Lida Farm) I got to know a few different seed companies and how I liked the resulting plants. Here are a few of my favorites from over the years. Some are old standbys you probably already know about, but others might be new to you! 

My favorite company that ends up taking most of my seed spending money, is Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Year after year I find their plants grow well, have delicious flavor, and are priced reasonably. Some of my favorites from Johnny’s are their variety packs. The Trilogy bean mix for example comes with seeds for yellow, purple, and green bush beans. The Salanova collections of small lettuces in beautiful colors and textures are also a great choice. They sell out quickly so get your catalog early or do your shopping online.

Another company worth checking out is local, and that is North Circle Seeds. Located in the Vergas/Pelican Rapids area, North Circle Seeds provides organic seeds covering everything from herbs and flowers to classic garden vegetables. Another highlight of their offerings is seed garlic, usually available starting in August. A personal favorite of their collection is the Ponsfordian Hollyhock. There is nothing that brings that classic country garden feel like graceful hollyhocks.

Another local company you should know about is WindFlower Natives. Located right in Fergus Falls, WindFlower Natives is my favorite place to find native perennials for our small farm. Last year we started a pollinator garden in our backyard with eighty-two native plants. Each seedling they grow comes from seeds sustainably gathered from our surrounding areas. Boy let me tell you, it was clear from the start that these plants know this place and how to thrive here. Rather than the standard “sleep, creep, leap” formula most perennials follow, by the end of the season I had a garden full of robust blooms that were already feeding bees and butterflies. While technically not seeds, they still earn a spot high on my recommendation list. 

The last I’ll leave you to check out is High Mowing Seeds. All the seeds they have available are organic and non-GMO. Located in Vermont, I really like this company for the beginning or newer gardener. They offer collections, which are sort of starter kits. Each collection has a theme. It might be a kid’s garden, heirloom vegetables, cut flowers, or kitchen herbs. They are a fun way to try out new seed varieties you might not otherwise buy. These also serve as a one-stop-shop to fill your garden with delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers.

If you are anything like me, your seed catalog eyes are a lot bigger than your seed budget. While there are many other seed companies worth checking out, I’ll leave you with those four to get you started.