| Rating | Author | Content |
| Positive | kefir_mama
Ashland, OR
(1 review)
November 11, 2009 | I am mostly satisfied with Bountiful Gardens.
Their cover crop pamphlet (out of print) inspired me to grow these amazing crops for miles of nutrients pulled up, soil fiberizing, and biomass added to the soil.
I've bought from them over the years - this year I bought some inoculant and cover crops. So far, so good.
When I call with questions, they are helpful and look things up in their resource books. Earlier this year, I posed my questions via email and didn't hear back for THREE MONTHS. I was really put off - when I pointed it out, they explained the snafu and apologized profusely.
By and large, I'm glad to support them and think they do good things. |
| Positive | Kimbrah
Bakersfield, CA
(Zone 9a)
(2 reviews)
May 29, 2009 | I just love Bountiful Gardens! I did not order from them this year, because all the seeds I had left over from last year were still in great shape! The germination rate has been awesome for all the seeds I purchased from them.
I love that their catalog is packed with so much information about their products that you do not have to second guess yourself about whether their seeds are going to grow in your climate or not. I ordered some of their supplies as well as seeds and was very impressed and satisfied.
I will definitely be ordering from this company again! |
| Negative | greengarden_bev
SW Ontario
Canada
(2 reviews)
March 03, 2009 | I can't comment on the seed quality, but this company's communication and online ordering system needs improvement.
On February 10, 2009 I made an online order for 18.95. I received by email an order confirmation message, as well as a receipt message. The order confirmation message said I would be contacted re: the shipping charges for international shipping (USA to Canada). So far, pretty standard.
The confirmation message said that orders are normally shipped within a week. But all seed houses are incredibly swamped this season, so I'm willing to cut quite a bit of slack when it comes to shipping times.
Exactly two weeks later, on February 14, I received two more emails-- another confirmation message and receipt, for a different order number, but the original order items and amount. I was confused and didn't want to be billed twice. So I replied to the receipt/purchase confirmation asking for clarification. No reply.
On March 2nd I received another receipt/purchase confirmation for the order number given on February 14, indicating a total charge of $5.00, and $5.00 for shipping. I assume this third invoice constitutes the "will be contacted" part of the transaction.
So far my credit card has been billed for the original purchase and I'm waiting for the $5.00 charge to appear.
Bountiful Gardens is doing good in the world, to be sure, but be aware that there may be trouble for International orders, and it looks like there are kinks to be worked out in their online order processing system. And don't expect good communication.
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| Positive | Mmill87
Annapolis, MD
(1 review)
February 10, 2009 | I haven't started the seeds yet, but so far my experience with this company has been positive. There are two reasons I decided to purchase my seeds from this company. I looked around at a lot of internet seed stores, and many sell seeds at a higher price than Bountiful Gardens; the few that are cheaper seem to have consistently middling-to-negative reviews. BG has a lot of good customer response, both here and on several garden discussion sites. The other reason is that I like the philosophy of BG, and the work the company does in educating gardeners/farmers around the world, and its emphasis on sustainable agriculture.
I purchased a number of seeds; the packets all have the number of seeds advertised; some have more.
The customer service is very good -- I sent an email a few days after placing my order (before I was notified that it shipped!), asking to switch one item for another, and they simply sent the item I requested in addition to the order, at no extra charge.
The prices are reasonable (especially considering what is being funded!) and the customer service is exceptional. As I said, I haven't yet started the seeds, but from the comments and reviews I've read, the germination rate should be great.
So far, so good! |
| Positive | littlewhootsie
Santa Cruz, CA
(Zone 9b)
(1 review)
December 31, 2008 | Bountiful Gardens is a great place, not only to order from, but their basic philosophy is amazing, and the work they do in the World is also amazing. They are a biointensive foundation
which means they teach ppl how to garden in other countries where otherwise they wouldn't be able to garden (biointensive is more food for the least amt of space, in one respect). Every time you order from Bountiful Gardens, you in essence "give" to the cause as well as getting seeds that are mostly "organic" or are not sprayed. They also have great books and tools you can order. The "WIDGER" is one of the most indispensible tools i have ever used. Most gardeners run around their yards w/a pruner; i run around my yard w/a Widger. |
| Positive | kslefty
Potwin, KS
(1 review)
April 28, 2008 | Wow. I received my seeds by USPS two days after placing my order online. It doesn't get any faster than that. |
| Positive | Sam_usa
Garden Grove, CA
(1 review)
January 06, 2008 | this is for every body needs to order good seeds for inside &outside USA
I've ordered five times some mixed seeds from this company and others and the result was wonderful with this Co's seeds i refer them to all people i know i was looking to write my experience with them and finally i found a way to say thank you .
i loved the mix large and cheery tomato that they have and the mix sweet paper
"if you love vegetables try those " |
| Positive | thope
Caddo Mills, TX
(4 reviews)
March 20, 2007 | I placed a somewhat large order with this company and received it within a week. It was packaged nicely and though the packets do not have pictures of the plant on them, they do provide a little info about them. The customer service was very nice. And I already have a few seeds opening though I didn't expect it yet. I will come back and post of how their tree and rose seeds do. I'm following the directions on them since I've never tried growing these items from seed before so it is going to be awhile before I can comment. I really look forward to seeing what happens with them though. I like the unusual types they provide and that I know I will get the same plant from seeds next year is a huge added bonus. |
| Positive | cannaqueen
Mantua, OH
(Zone 5a)
(19 reviews)
January 31, 2007 | I chose this company because they have untreated, open-
pollinated seeds. Germination rate with these types of seeds
is awesome! Plus you have a seed source to keep next year.
I have a grow light unit where I start my seeds inside. I started my seeds January, 2007....the quinoa, elecampane,
and unique spinach varieties have already sprouted....This
company gives specific information on how to plant each type
of seed on every packet....order their catalog...its worth it...
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| Positive | cherrisa
Antioch, TN
(3 reviews)
April 05, 2006 | I have ordered twice from this company. Received my order quickly and have been very successful in germination. The only thing is if you are looking for a certain amount of seeds you'd better get two packages. I was supposed to get 200 pea seeds and ended up with 140. But not a big deal for me as I couldn't fit them all in anyway.
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| Positive | TinyTomato
Chardon, OH
(6 reviews)
February 24, 2006 | Good selection of hard to find varieties, quick delivery, easy on-line ordering, and useful planting information make this an organization I will definitely order from again. |
| Positive | bekados
Pensacola, FL
(1 review)
February 19, 2006 | Love doing business with Bountiful Gardens. Seed packets are usually stuffed with seeds and germination is far and above other seed companies. Even seeds from the "Seeds for Kids" packets usually germinate. Customer service is great. Recommended to any and all! |
| Positive | johngaltnh
(5 reviews)
January 25, 2006 | These folks give great service. For example, I recently ordered some legume innoculant from them as part of a larger order. The new season's innoculant wasn't in yet - so they sent me the prior season's with an explanation. Less than two weeks later, they sent me innoculant for the new season at no charge. Naturally, I'll be giving them more business in the future! |
| Positive | jonie
Hartsville, SC
(1 review)
August 13, 2005 | I ordered diatomaceous earth from bountiful gardens and it arrived in a timely manner. I was worried about using it because the package stated that it is "hazardous to humans and animals". I sent an e-mail message to the company describing my concerns I got a very detailed reply within 24 hours. I am very impressed with this company and I will definitely do business with them in the future! |
| Positive | EskieLeia
Leesville, SC
(Zone 8a)
(6 reviews)
January 10, 2005 | Good selection of vegetable seed - for what I needed and quick shipment. Received order within a week with no backorders. So far, I'm pleased with this company. |
| Positive | RoseyQ
Crystal Lake, IL
(Zone 5a)
(7 reviews)
December 22, 2004 | Ordered seeds from Bountiful Gardens for several years and always been pleased with the results. I’ve found the number of seeds in each packet more than enough for my garden and germination very good. I like the varieties, descriptions, and growing recommendations given in their catalog. This is a company I would recommend!. |
| Neutral | becky3086
Thomson, GA
(9 reviews)
February 20, 2004 | I am giving them a neutral at this time though this may change later on. I ordered twice this spring
The seeds did arrive quickly 10 days and everything was there. However I have found the germination on some seeds to be quite poor. I have started several in my greenhouse. Five did great: salad burnet, french sorrel, cardoon, elcampagne and sea kale.
These did poorly: Lovage(1 seedling out of about 10 seeds planted), purslane(2 seedling out of 10), self-heal(1 out of 10). Good King Henry, strawberry spinach and lamb's quarters have not germinated at all. All these seeds have been planted for quite some time, following the directions on the packets.
I do have lots and lots of seedling coming up and doing great in my greenhouse just not these. However if things change and these seeds do sprout I will of course change my rating.
I was also surprised at the small amount of seeds in each packet but went back to the catalog and saw they did send the number stated. I will pay more attention to this next time.
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| Positive | gardenerette
Hermosa Beach, CA
(Zone 10b)
(1 review)
August 17, 2003 | Bountiful Gardens provide excellent quality seed with a small but very diverse catalog. Lots of high-nutrient content veggies here. I live on the coast and the only tomatoes I can get to grow with success I have found at Bountiful Gardens. This spring I was cleaning out the seed box and came across a BG seed packet that was packed for the 1998 season. I thought what the heck and tossed them outside my front door thinking that they might sprout and if they didn't well the birds, worms and microbes could have them. It was beautiful! I estimate over 75% sprouted and lived to bloom (flowering annuals). They not only do good work with seeds, they do good work on a global level; I am delighted to be able to support them with my seed purchases. |
| Positive | TracyL
(1 review)
August 14, 2003 | Excellent service, and amazing return time! I think I got my seeds in about 6 days -- and I'm in Canada!
I will be ordering again next year from this company. The germination rate was phenomenal -- 100% germination with all 6 tomato varieties I ordered. |
| Positive | jcgardengirlmn
(3 reviews)
July 23, 2003 | Sent in timely fashion and seeds produced a decent amount of viability. Didn't have any problem with seed quantity--knew what to expect from catalog. |
| Positive | ninat
Joyce, WA
(Zone 7b)
(10 reviews)
March 10, 2002 | This has got to be one on the speediest companies I have ever dealt with, everything ordered was there (no shipping delays) amazingly quick. As well it was very nicely packaged with lots of helpful and interesting information. I finally got Seakale seeds after a four year long search and they have lots of other unusual veggies I am dying to try. |
| Positive | Paco
(1 review)
January 10, 2002 | The quality of service is personable and professional.
The seeds I've gotten from them last longer than any other seed company.
I like that they sell a variety of cover crop seeds, and uncommon vegetables.
The Grow Biointensive method they promote (www.growbiointensive.org) is the one method I could truly say is sustainable. |
| Neutral | gone2seed
Milton, FL
(Zone 8a)
(24 reviews)
December 30, 2001 | I have ordered from this company several times.I am usually pleased with the service but give them only a neutral rating due to the tiny amount of seed in each packet.They do give seed amounts in the description though. |
| Positive | suniayang
(1 review)
April 01, 1997 | Bountiful Gardens is run by Ecology Action which was created by John Jeavons to teach sustainable organic gardening techniques around the world. They also have a store in Palo Alto California, which is my favorite gardening store. For a couple of dollars, one can buy all the seeds needed for a vegetable garden. I've been very happy with their seeds. |
| Positive | philliphurley
(2 reviews)
April 01, 1996 | Informative catalog, good selection of vegetable varieties not elsewhere available in US, and their seed is reliable in terms of germination. I also like their orientation towards organic gardening, and their teaching/research projects. |
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