20¢ Wal-Mart Seeds

I realize many of you in this group get your seeds from private seed savers, etc., but you are probably the folks most familiar with what may or may not affect seed quality, grades, etc. I am curious if any of you have had any experience with the 20¢ per pack seeds from American Seed (Plantation Products, Norton, MA) sold at Wal-Mart. I wonder if there are different "grades," if these might be an inferior grade- and what differences might be. (I'm not so concerned about the percentage of seeds that germinate as I am about placing a lot of effort into these seeds (indoor starts) only to have them develop plants or flowers that are runts, less healthy, etc.). I AM planting a lot of my regular seeds from far more expensive sources by I am very curious to play around with the 20¢ packs too, Please don't reply with "you get what you pay for" because that's often not true (especially in this day and age). I am hoping to hear from people who have actual experience with seeds from American (Plantration) Seed or who are knowledeable about seed quality. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

I have not had any problem with the ones I've babied and started inside.

No problems. I've done lettuce, zinnias, and sweet william.

I sowed the sweet william outside last year and they did not germinate but I didn't keep them moist.

Hope this helps!

thanks fancher - it helps indeed and hope to hear from oters too because there's nothing like hands on experience. It's hard to pass up all those extra possibilities at only 20¢ a pop. I am also very curious about how seeds are graded, etc. and hope someone with lnowledge in this area has some thought. thanks again!

They've done just fine for me. I purchase a handful of packs every year for 'fill' in my garden.

The seeds are of cultivars that are generally commonly available, and most are open pollinated, so producing them for commercial sales is much cheaper (hybrids require more expense and manpower)

They germinate and grow well and I find them a great value. There are also Dollar Store seeds that are 4 for a dollar (or something like that) They're fine too.

I have my share of the pricey, hard to find, vegetables and flowers and spend way more than I should every year, but feel quite smug when I grab up a fist full of these bargains. Armloads of zinnias or sunflowers for pennies...yep, I do it every year.

I've had the same experience with all the cheapie seeds I've bought. At that price, it's a great way to get a bigger variety. I did notice when I was comparing the cheap packs with the name brand at Walmart, the cheaper ones are quite a bit less seed per pack.

Thank you all and of course I was hoping this is what you would say. I planted a few W-M seeds last year and I couldn't recall problems but this year, like Melody, I grabbed up quite a handful and I intend to start them indoors, but then I started to have second thoughts because of how much additional work and expense goes into indoor starts, which is why I decided to seek experience. Now I have a few questions for more experienced gardeners than myself about starting seeds very early but I will post a new thread about that. And thank you again for your help.

From what I understand, by law seed companies must guarantee at least a 65-80% germination rate, unless labeled as low germinating. So, all the seeds you buy must have a fairly high germination rate and palnt vigor. I imagine that these seeds are leftovers from large seed companies. When they produce hybrids, they have to grow at least twice as many OP varieties. There has to be a certain amount of excess OP seeds from this process.

Many people probably buy a few of these seeds each year. We all love seeds, especially cheap ones. Don't feel ashamed. I always look to see if there is discount seed racks at every Dollar Tree, Walgreens and Big Lots I enter. Its an obsession.

Thanks again to all for input and I'm REALLY going to enjoy my 20¢ seeds now (although I really wish they weren't from Wal-Mart). dlbailey... I'm a complete novice regarding seed specs, etc.: what's OP varieties and what else do I want to know about seed production (in 25 words or less). :- )

I got a few packs a couple of weeks ago.....to me they are like what shoes are to other women. I hate shoes, but love seed packets. I got dozens of packs last year marked down at a Dollar store for 10 cents each! I always get several packets of Allysum, since you can scatter the whole packet and not worry about the price.

OP means 'open pollinated' this is a plant that comes true from seed each year, as opposed to hybrids which the saved seeds will result in plants that arr not like their parents. It takes more time, effort and money to produce hybrid seeds, so they generally cost more.

Michael - you can test the germination rate yourself.

Place 10 seeds on a damp paper towel, fold it up and put it in a plastic bag and put that in warmth (not sun). If half germinate you know you have 50% germination rate. If all grow it's terrific. If none grow then maybe they're harder to raise or just not viable seeds.

Remember to check the bag (partially open) every few days.

MichealAngleo, I am just taking an educated guess on were thye sources their seeds. My master's thesis was on the international textile/clothing and craft industries in West Africa. The clothing/textile, electronic and other large production chains have a certain amount of excess. This excess is bought by discount wholesalers/retailers - though many are starting to produce their own items under their own labels - or sold under a company's own discount label. Since seed production is also a multinational production chain, I am assuming that it has much of the same process. Plantation produces its own seed to sell under NK, a primarily commercial seed supplier. American Seed Company is their discount label.

BTW, most hybrids are produced in China, India and other countries with an educated but low cost. The stock (OP) seed is grown in the US and Canada. (They could be starting to grow it in other, cheaper countries. I am not up on everything in the seed industry.)

But as always, asking questions and getting answers is enlightening- and much appreciated. Thanks all!!!

I actually had a bunch of these in-hand the other day, but was worried & put them back. Guess I'll be going back for them. I know WM has a reputation for poo-quality in their garden center, but where I've shopped, the plants are healthy and well-cared for. Every year I pick up a couple of bargains from WM, and they do as well as everything else, or better, in many cases.

Despite the widely held bad opinions of WalMart as a company, I have been shopping there for years, and have had many family members work there. I've benefited from what they offer their employees, and all of us have been happy. It's an entry-level job for "unskilled" and low-skill level workers. They pay what is fair, and, as with all companies, have to deal with some management who are not looking out for the employees or customers. But they bring in a LOT of American jobs, and provide quality products that I can afford. As I like to say, only difference between a small business & "corporate America" is that the companies in "Corporate America" are the small businesses that knew what it took to make it. I guarantee, virtually every small business out there would be the size & success of WM if they had the chance!

Ok, off my soap-box!

Brainerd and Spooner - two of my favorites in MN and WI. Stuck in Missouri, LOL. I had a brother who worked at WM and was treated well being special needs.

hanseycollie, that should make me your VERY favorite person, since I was born in Brainered & raised in Spooner (true story). :)

Serious? One of my dear friends was born in Brainerd and my parents, believe it or not, went on their honeymoon there (like 60 years ago!). My friend from Brainerd now lives in Siren, WI. That is so funny - small world. When did you graduate high school - I wonder if you know my friend, maiden name Luann Martin.
PS Sorry, I took the thread on a rabbit trail.

Graduated from private school in 1993.

Oops much younger than us old fogies then, lol!