In the rush to get planting, it’s easy for gardeners to be seduced by a beautiful photo or illustration on the front of a seed packet. Instead of judging a seed packet by its cover, take time to read the back of each packet, too.
Seed packets should give gardeners everything they need to know about the plant including its common name, botanical name and variety. It should list the plant’s key qualities, growing conditions, the number of days to harvest and where, when and how to sow and space the seeds.
In addition to these details, gardeners may want to spend a few more minutes reading the packet’s fine print. Seed companies place important information on the back of each packet with notes about where the seeds were packaged, the year they were packed and the sell-by date.
If seeds are labeled “100 percent organic” it means they were produced following the strict rules of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program, and were not treated with synthetic pesticides.
Seed companies may also indicate their seeds are not treated with other chemicals like fungicides or that the seeds are not genetically modified. Many seed companies, like Botanical Interests in Broomfield, voluntarily sign a Safe Seed Pledge, too.
“The Safe Seed Pledge infers that research on GMOs hasn’t been proven and that there are still a lot of questions on GMOs, including seeds,” says Janis Kieft, horticultural services manager at Botanical Interests. “We don’t believe it’s a good option for seeds.”
As the company’s seed buyer, Kieft purchases over 650 varieties of flower, herb and vegetable seed for Botanical Interests each year. Most of the seeds are heirloom and open-pollinated and about one-third are organic varieties. All Botanical Interests seeds are untreated.
In addition to signing the Safe Seed Pledge, Kieft says the company supports the non-GMO effort by buying from only organic growers and companies that use traditional breeding methods.
“There are ways to develop new varieties and to have better quality seed that doesn’t involve genetic engineering,” she said. “We support sustainable agriculture methods and GMO products don’t fit in with that.”
