Seed Awareness

Where are the seeds you buy in Australia grown?

We feel like this is a topic that is hidden in the seed industry and want to make it clear where we get our seeds from, what labelling actually means and how you can be sure of your seed supplier.

Most of the heirloom, open pollinated, organicseeds available for purchase online come from overseas. Why? Because it is cheaper and easier to buy in seed and re-sell. This may come as a surprise that most seed companies don't grow seeds! There are a select few including ourselves who grow seeds and sell direct to the customer. (please see below where our seeds are grown)

Labelling

A lot of people are aware that they need to ensure the product is labelled certified organic or at least organic to ensure you are buying a organic product. It's easy online for labelling to be relaxed and inaccurate. We have seen this on other websites so we are making sure you understand to read the label whether you are buying Organicor Untreated Seed.

Certified Organic 

Where you see AusQual Certified Organic on our site this means you are buying a product that is grown organically and certified to the national organic standard. Lines with certification number AQ610175 are grown at Greenpatch Organic Seeds farm on the NSW Mid North Coast. This includes all nursery plants and approximately 190 seed varieties.

Lines with certification number AQ620081 are certified organic to the national organic standard. These lines are supplied to us by other organic growers in Australia and also overseas suppliers.

Organically Grown 

Seeds labeled organically grown do not carry organic certification. These lines are Grown using organic practices and without the use of artificial fertilisers, chemical herbicides and chemical pesticides but the grower cannot justify the cost of becoming certified organic. We often know these producers and trust their organic practices.

Untreated Seed

Untreated seed means it is not organic but it doesn't have any chemical seed treatment on the seed surface. These seeds are grown conventionally and sold as non-organic seed. This is the biggest grey area amongst other seed business with 'untreated seed' often being sold next to 'organic seed'.

Where Our Seeds & Plants Are Grown

Firstly we are proud to say at Greenpatch Organic Seeds we grow:

• 190+ varieties of OGA certified organic seeds
• 400+ varieties of live plants are propagated in our OGA certified organic nursery

Growing such a large number of varieties gives us a strong insight into how varieties handle the Australian climate. We also employ locals and buy all of our supplies from local business where possible.

The majority of our seeds are grown onsite at Greenpatch Farm with a handful of seed growers throughout Australia supporting us and the seed industry by producing seeds, using organic principals and methods.

We pride ourselves in supporting Australian growers and producing as many varieties ourselves as possible! In some cases imported seed is used when no other option is available to ensure a extensive range of vegetables, herbs, flowers and grains are available. The fact that seed does have to be imported shows sadly that there is a lack of seed growers in Australia.