The scoop on 'Seeds From Italy'

I have ordered seeds from Bill many times. Some bulk seeds some regular packages. The seeds have all had very good germination rates. The packages are usually very generous compared to most seed companies. A lot of seeds.
The turnaround time is always fast. Will definitely buy more in the future.

I ordered from Seeds from Italy last year for the first time and was extremely pleased. The seed packets - nearly all are under $3 - are huge with many times the amount you'd receive from an American seed company.

There are many interesting varieties of all kinds of vegetables, not just from Italy but some continental specialties that are sometimes hard to find here such as haricot vert. There's a nice selection of flower seeds too and even some mushroom spawn.

If you like to grow your own basil, their catalog has a huge selection of varieties as well as many other herbs.

I have to say the turnaround on my order was faster than any seed company I've dealt with. My seeds arrived about two days after I ordered. Shipping charges are very reasonable too.

I love this company. Their seed packets are large and colorful with information in various languages. Prices are very reasonable, large amount of seed per pack and varieties I couldn't find other places. They were super fast to ship (even over the holidays). Thanks!

Wow! I just received my first order from Seeds from Italy. The website was easy to use, and the descriptions were very helpful in making my decisions. I found this company because I was looking for agretti seeds, which are hard to find and only available part of the year. I told Bill to save my order and ship it all when the agretti came it - it actually seemed to take no time at all before they arrived.

The packaging is beautiful, and I expect the hermetically sealed Italian seed packets will guarantee good germination. The printed planting instructions in English are helpful, and Bill enclosed handwritten instructions for agretti - much appreciated. I highly recommend this company for its selection and customer service.

I have been growing seeds from Italian seed companies for several years now (they are readily available in Toronto, where I frequently visit), although this was my first order with Seeds from Italy.

I have enjoyed dealing with this seed company. The on-line catalog is exciting to read. Very enticing in it's description of both the plant, it's known performance and also the taste of the vegetables. The seed packages themselves are eye candy, and I really appreciated that the information in the catalog is printed onto stickers (in English) and stuck on each package. Very thoughtful!!

The handwritten note returned to me with the seeds kindly stated two seeds where out of stock, and if they come in, I will be receiving them when they arrive from Italy. Seeds from Italy is a small operation, and I appreciated the note, and if they remember to send the seed I'll be pleased. Sometimes these things are hard for small companies to keep up with so I'm really not that worried about it. I'm just so pleased with what arrived today! These seeds are just so darned hard to get here!!

THUMBS UP!

I have been ordering and planting seeds from here for about 5 years. In general, I have only had a few instances where I had problems germinating seeds, and Bill was always quick to refund or replace the seeds.

I have been very happy with the quality of the seeds--in my Bay Area California climate, most of them germinate and grow much better than similar US varieties I have tried, ordered from places like Cooks Garden and Seeds of Change. Compared to other seed vendors, I usually get many, many more seeds per packet but at a similar price, and use them for 2-3 years with great success. I have to agree with Bill--even with the packets opened (no longer hermetically sealed), I get good germination results for most things for 2-3 years.

My first experience was mixed. I put in a large order and many of the packets I received had been packed for previous seasons, some for two seasons earlier. Yes, they were well packaged, better packaged than most American seeds, but their useful life was limited by their packing dates. I e-mailed the owner and his e-mail response was defensive and off-point.

Nevertheless, I liked the seeds and reordered the following year (spring, 2006) specifying that I wanted only seeds packed for that year or the previous year. My order was filled accordingly.

I expect that one explanation of the relatively low prices is the owner's practice of filling orders with seeds packed in a previous season. I would not have minded if the catalog had explained this practice, which is highly unusual in the U.S., giving me the opportunity to weigh the costs and benefits of ordering. But, as is, it was a rude surprise. I'm surprised that no one else has mentioned it.

Italian seed companies package their seeds in hermetically sealed packages designed to prevent air and water infiltration. Because of that, they have much longer 'use by" dates than American seeds which are packaged in paper packs. This type of packaging is recognized by USDA which allows a three year 'use by" date as opposed to one year for paper packets. In fact, my seeds would always have a longer 'use by" date than any packet from an American seed company. I guarantee the germination rate on the packet.

While the vast majority of my seeds are normally from the current year, sometimes that is not the case. It has nothing to do with economics (selling old seeds); sometimes, especially with varieties which do not sell in large quantity, I either have seed from the previous year or I receive previous year seed from my Italian supplier.

I am sure I would have explained that to the commentator. If not, I apologize.

Bill McKay

This is now my second year ordering from this company and again I am very satisfied. They provide many hard to find varieties, lots of seed and friendly service. I look forward to what they will offer next year.

I ordered 11 packages of seed on night of the 16th and everything I ordered arrived in this morning's mail and today is the 20th. That's just 4 days. Huge packages with large amounts of seed. I am very pleased. It was my first order, it won't be my last.

I bought tomato seeds from them last year; good, quick shipping of seeds; huge amount of seeds in the packet, must have been 200 tomato seeds, far more than any other seed company I have ever seen

I have ordered from this company for a number of years. I have nothing but good things to say. The shipping is quick, VERY reasonable, the seed packets are very generous compared to many seed companies.

Definitely worth a try!

My order was filled quickly, and with the personal touch that let me know I was dealing with an enthusiastic fellow-gardener. The packaging of the seeds is particularly nice: it's attractive, moisture-proof, and labeled IN ENGLISH with growing instructions.

I have placed several orders with the company and can echo several others' comments: great seeds in good quantity, quick response to emails, a nice news letter and helpful recipes. Great place!

Great variety, great varieties, large packets, good growing instructions, great service, and above all GREAT SEEDS. GrowItalian.com's seeds germinate so well that I buy varieties I could get here from them, and have found that in addition to better germination, the selections are often head and shoulders better in vigor, quality, and flavor than the same named varieties as packaged by U.S. firms.

Oh yes --the packets are large in size as well as number of seeds, and beautiful enough to use in a montage. Varieties are sealed in interior foil packets where appropriate.

Excellent recipes and growing tips on the web site.

Excellent service! I received what I ordered right away. The one back-ordered item was sent sooner than it was supposed to be sent. Great quality seeds, and many, many more per packet you're used to. They seem genuinely excited about growing Italian varieties; I'm glad to have found them.

Have ordered twice. This place is now one of my favorites. Fast shipping!!!!!!! Ten times as many seeds in each pack. Just wish they had a larger selection.

Quick response to catalog request and quick turnaround time on order. Many more seeds in a pack than you would expect. Very happy here.

A wonderful source for unusal seeds from Italy not available locally. These people stand behind their product!! Great customer service. Prompt responses to email.

Orderd seed from them as Ive heard they were good. Nice selection but they had alot of stuff on backorder. Couldnt get a response to my emails. Finally arrived, No Agretti, got what I needed elswhere at Harvest Moon Farms Seed and Johnny's Seed but will order again.

For those folks that love Italian vegetables and are looking for the "Italian Experience" in gardening this is the site to visit.
I placed my order one week before Christmas and received by seeds in immaculate condition three days after they shipped in the same week.
I ordered tomatoes and zucchini and I already have tomato seedlings from the seed I purchased. I am overall impressed with the product, packaging, customer service, and value. No need to count seeds here, seed packets are very generous.
Their website is also very informative with Italian recipes, and detailed product descriptions from a gardener's perspective. It is a great site to visit if you are just new to gardening or just have an appreciation for Italian cooking/vegetables. Not only do you learn how to grow the vegetables but how to use them once they come out of the garden. They also publish a quarterly newsletter that offers some worthwhile reading.
Overall I am very happy to receive superior quality seeds and excellent customer service. Hands down, I will definitely order from Seeds from Italy again.