Heirloom Acres Seeds - Anyone else having problems with them?

Great point. I have to start things indoors because I'm so far north, but I would image all you lucky folks with nice long growing seasons can start much earlier. Besides, wouldn't the seed companies be packaging seed in Fall through December for them to sell in spring?

__________________
"Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand." † ~ St. Augustine

Here is the link that I added to davesgarden site. hope it helps

I researched this company after having a bad experience with them . I typed heirloom acres seeds complaints in the google search bar and found many negative comments. i further researched to find that they have an F rating with the better business bureau... the link is http://www.bbb.org/stlouis/business-...eds-and-bulbs-... you can highlight the info put it in your search bar to find out about this company. You can also make a complaint about them at this link. After dealing with Thom and Renate Kirk I decided to look them up individually on missouri case net. the link is [HYPERLINK@www.courts.mo.gov] after that click on litigant name and enter Renate kirk. It seems she not only takes your money but she doesn't pay her bills either. And then there is this site which shows that they have no regard for customer service or providing products in timely manner if at all. In one review I see that they blamed their poor service on their daughter's health. But after researching they had trouble long before the health issues of their daughter. Kind of makes me wonder what else they are hiding. Steer clear...they hide behind religion but they aren't practicing what they preach. No true christian would behave in this manner. //
tI wanted to add the link to the attorney general office so people can make a complaint. the link is [HYPERLINK@www.consumer.ago.mo.gov] If you feel that this company has cheated you out of money or is running a dishonest business then this link is the place to report them. They shouldn\'t get away with taking good honest people\'s money without provide the promised product. It is illegal and they should be stopped. I heard it said that evil prevails if good men do nothing.
I just read the neutrals on davesgarden watch dog site. Seems that an older farmer tried to find the "farm" which apparently doesnt exist...wow! You really need to go to davesgarden site to see this. Apparently there is just an old building on less than an acres of land. where are all the fields they keep claiming to be working in as an excuse for slow service. Guess it is quite a scam. definetely worth reading the reviews at davesgarden site.

They should be. Besides, if they stored the seeds properly, year old seeds germinate at a very high rate. I used some seeds from 2006 this year and had no problems with them.

Well, on another thread, someone mentioned a seed company was supposed to destroy all seed from the previous year, after Dec.
I figure they latched onto this, as a excuse for why their seed dosent germinate, "ya think"? I have seeds years old in the freezer that germinate just fine.
You think they'd run out of excuses, wouldnt you?

__________________
In Life, We Weep at the thought of Death'
Who Knows, Perhaps in Death,
We Weep at the though of Life.

Interesting, I had never heard they were supposed to dispose of old seed. I had two items back ordered and they never gave a time frame so I had to email them again. I figured if it was going to be too late I'd just go buy those two items at the feed store. After I emailed they did email me back the next day to say that it had shipped that day. I don't know if my timing is just good or if they put you on the back burner unless you contact them.

Kind of a bummer that their customer service is so poor because they do offer good prices and a nice selection, but then so do a lot of other places.

I found that 3 out of the 4 feed stores in my area are starting to carry more heirloom, open pollinated items which is really nice. I think I'll try to buy some of my seed from the feed store before ordering next year in hopes that they'll continue to sell those types of seed.

__________________
"Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand." † ~ St. Augustine

There is no law or rule that seed companies have to destroy old seed. They can sell it as long as the germination rate passes federal standards for that crop. Their other option is to sell the low germinating seed but give you extra and label the pkts about sowing extra and why. Both are legal. Most seed is good for several years, anyways. Burpee sent me some Dec 2008 cabbage seeds and they are doing just as well as this years' seeds.

__________________
"Success is preparation and opportunity meeting." - Andrea Smith, music director for XM 82, 2008.

Old Turkomen proverb: "When we have rice to eat, life is good." From: "The World Is A Carpet"

Sorry, Lezlie, I didnt mean to be passing on a rumor, a person I trusted stated that on another post the other day, so I just assumed it was true.

__________________
In Life, We Weep at the thought of Death'
Who Knows, Perhaps in Death,
We Weep at the though of Life.

In some instances, old seed IS destroyed. It often depends upon if the cost of reclaiming, testing, and repackaging it is worth the effort. Seed companies are NOT supposed to sell any seed packet after the date printed on it. They are NOT supposed to even give it away. That was confirmed by Baker Creek's owner as well as personal contact with Jung's. Jung's and SSE used to donate leftover seed packets to various garden groups for free distribution. That ended after 2005. That was when a "Sell By" date had to be on all seed packets beginning with 2006.

Martin

I ordered on March 10th and they shipped most of my order on April 7th. Still waiting on the rest.

__________________
"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted."~ James Madison

I was curious so I went to ebay to see if this company bought any of the seeds they say family has given them or that they claim to have grown themselves. it is interesting to find that they have indeed purchased seeds from strangers on ebay. the same seeds that they claim to have grown. If you go to advanced seach then go to find a member type in heirloomacresseeds you will get to they feedback items which will show what they have purchased. they are crooks

I ordered my seeds this year from heirloomveggieseeds.com (100 seed pkts for $49.00). The germination rates so far have been good, but the word is out until I see what happens in a few days, since I planted inside/out. The seeds came in mini ziplock bags with no planting instructions, sealed in a special metallic silver bag, and all were labeled what they were. There were very few repeats and an excellent assortment of seeds! Since I am doing some gardening consulting work with a few people, some have given me seeds. So, I am covered either way. Since I ordered at a very busy time, getting them took about (6) weeks. They did confirm with me that they were a small operation and do everything by hand. On not having instructions? I think that is part of why they are so reasonably priced (.50 per pkt). Fortunately, I don't need the instructions. If I am unsure how to plant something, easy to just google it.

On old seeds? I save mine for (5) years or until I use them up. The germination rates decrease with time, but always keep watch for sales on last year's seeds! From what I have read, 1 year should make very little difference in germination.

I live in the PNW and with such a late Spring, our gardens have only just begun to get planted locally.

I wish you the best with your gardens this year (and in getting good seeds)

They are heirloom, save your own seed for next year...

I purposely bought (100) packets of Heirloom Seeds, so I could harvest my own seeds this year I already cataloged each variety, and am saving every little mini bag (all labeled). Heirloomveggieseeds.com also offers instructions in harvesting seeds.

I can confirm, after planting almost 30 of the 100 pkgs, that the germination rates are excellent for most of them. The others can't be considered definite for another couple of days.

If you decide to order from them, be aware that it can take more than (4) weeks for you to get your order. It took (6) weeks for me, but it was worth the wait!

http://www.heirloomveggieseeds.com/http://

I was wondering about my garden as well! I would say that half or more of my seeds did not come up!!! My daughter (9 yr old) was helping me plant so I thought maybe she had planted too deep or something but after reading your posts I think maybe the seeds were bad!!! Yes, it took forever to receive the seeds too.

__________________
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to do without.
I love to be alone,I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.
hdt

I have done all my ordering from Baker Creek. I got each order inside a week and have had about 95% success w/ seeds coming up.

I purchased mine for only 50 CENTS PER PKT! What I received was a great assortment of vegetable seeds, all Heirloom, and clearly labeled. There were only 10 duplicates in 100 seed packets. I have a large garden, and if I had to order from Baker Creek, I couldn't afford it (90 X avg of $2 per pkt = $180 instead of paying $50). It would be great if you have a small garden with only a few varieties.

Heirloom Veggie Seeds take a little longer to get, but are an incredible value. Their germination rates have proven to be very good. I don't know the %s primarily because I am not counting seeds when I plant so much at a time. However, I'd know if there is a problem as I am careful not to over-plant the seeds.

I will be harvesting all my own seeds, and buy no more. Further, any plants or seeds I want? I am bartering for everything.

Just yesterday, I brought (6) Egyptian Walking Onions, (1) Chocolate Mint, and (1) Italian Sage to an Eco Fest (I am a beekeeper and our association had a table---volunteered for a few hours). While there, met with another gardener/self-sustainer and traded for Plantain, a large Parsley, Lady's Mantle, Pineapple Mint, Oregano, Bee Balm, and a few others. I am going to start a gardening bartering group locally, so we can quickly fill up our veggie & herb gardens less expensively. It would be a great thing to do in any of your communities!

This is the second year I have ordered from them and the last probably. I am in central ohio and it took them 4 weekd to get me my order. I am just now planting my Blak from Tula tomatoe seeds. They are slow.