| Rating | Author | Content |
| Positive | AZPlanter
Chandler, AZ
(1 review)
February 13, 2012 | I first found out about Botanical Interests through my FFA Chapter . BI had donated some seeds and I went through them and picked the ones I liked . I grew some gorgeous squash and beans. This year I ordered from their website and was surprised at how fast their shipping is . They have made a loyal customer out of me ! |
| Positive | ginger1952
Lake Charles, LA
(Zone 9a)
(1 review)
February 13, 2012 | Excellent service and professionalism from this company. I have planted the seeds and believe they will germinate without any problems. If they do not germinate, I am sure this company will replace the seeds. Am glad I found this site on Dave's garden. I would highly recommend this company, especially if you are seeking organic seeds. |
| Positive | 1997
Ossian, IN
(Zone 5a)
(4 reviews)
September 9, 2011 | I am very pleased with this company thus far. I ordered 22 varieties of flower seeds from them on 9/6/11, they shipped on 9/7/11, and I got them today, 9/9/11. They came all the way from Colorado to Indiana in 2 days! They came stacked alphabetically in a nice little green box with a handy seedstarting tips booklet in the bottom. I was thrilled! The seed pack art makes me very excited for next year. Also, their website is beautifully done, easy to navigate, and offers lots of helpful information. The packs are a wealth of information too, front, back, and even inside! This is nice for beginners like me. The variety of flower seeds they offer is very good, many of them are heirlooms, and some are organic. I love heirlooms, so this was great! Their prices were awesome for the amount of seeds I got, and the shipping wasn't too high either. I am so happy that I found this company and I hope you try them too! |
| Positive | amut
Pekin, IN
(3 reviews)
August 5, 2011 | I have placed two orders with BI this season -- some cool weather veggies that need to wait until this heat is over, as well as beans and corn. Both packets of sweet corn (SugarPearl and Luscious) emerged after 4 days and look fantastic so far -- green and lush -- even with the horrible heat we've been having. The bush bean (Contender) came up quickly as well, and is also doing well in the heat.
I experienced excellent communication from the company via email when my order was placed and received my orders within a few days. Overall, I'm thrilled with my experience so far!
Beets, carrots and lettuce will be next. I will update with performance of those seeds when appropriate. |
| Positive | Pepper88
Granite Falls, MN
(5 reviews)
July 24, 2011 | This is my second year ordering seeds from Botanical Interests, and I am very pleased with the germination rates and the health of the plants. I intend to order from this company again next spring. I plant both vegetables and flowers from Botanical Interest seeds and I've had excellent experience with both! I highly recommend this company. Plus the seed packets are packed with useful information, and the shipping is very fast. |
| Negative | rwoods
Pala, CA
(1 review)
June 18, 2011 | Planted four packages of Botanical Interests Organic Sweet Corn and only six plants came up. Planted three other rows of corn seed I had from 2009 (two planting years old) and they all came up. I am thinking these are old seeds.
Company representative comment on June 20, 2011:
On Jun 20, 2011 1:55 PM, Botanical Interests, Inc. responded with:Dear rwoods,
We are very sorry for the poor germination results. All Botanical Interests seed lots are tested regularly for viability, and we only sell seeds of the highest quality. We have a very high turnover and never sell old seed. We get new crops every year and test any leftover stock every six months to ensure that it exceeds required germination rates. Seed germination is dependent on many variables. You did not mention if you planted the 2011 seed the same time as you planted the 2009 seed. If you planted the 2009 seed a couple weeks later, temperatures may have been warmer, enhancing germination. Most farmers and some gardeners prefer to use treated seed to enhance germination because of the ubiquitous presence of damaging soil fungi. If the 2009 seed was treated seed, it may have had better performance. Because of our support of organic gardening techniques, Botanical Interests does not offer treated seed, so all of our varieties are pure raw seed. In the home garden setting, you may not get germination as ideal as happens in a lab under perfect conditions, but you should get satisfactory germination in warm, disease-free soil that is adequately drained and not saturated. We will contact you directly, so we can get your mailing address and send replacement seed. We know it's late to plant corn, so we will substitute another variety if you'd prefer.
Sincerely,
Michelle DePaepe
Botanical Interests, inc. |
| Positive | Pitcom
Aston, PA
(20 reviews)
June 10, 2011 | Posted on June 3, 2011, updated June 10, 2011
Posted on May 13, 2011, updated June 3, 2011
This is another top notch company. The shipping was very fast and the seeds came well protected in a small box. Amongst my order was some of the organic sugar pearl corn, which i am really looking forward to. I would order from this company again.
On June 3rd, 2011, Pitcom changed the rating from positive to neutral and added the following:
I had very poor germination with the Sugar pearl Corn. Only 11 of the 47 seeds i received sprouted. I called the company and they said they would send out another pack, but its been 2 weeks and I have yet to get the replacement. I ended up ordering some Serendipity corn from a place in Arizona two days ago, and i already got the packs of seeds. I guess if i end up ever getting the Sugar Pearl replacement, it will now have to wait until next year.
On June 10th, 2011, Pitcom changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
I would like to thank Botanical Interests for their excellent customer service. I have never, not received an order in the mail, and just assumed the company decided to not send the replacements.
Botanical Interests even offered to send a different pack of seeds if i thought it was too late in the season to plant new corn. I selected some of the ruby red swiss chard in lieu of the corn, and they had no problem what so ever. I ended up placing a second order of seed for some of my fall crops, and was happy to business with them a second time.
Company representative comment on June 9, 2011:
On Jun 9, 2011 8:26 AM, Botanical Interests, Inc. responded with:All Botanical Interests' seed lots are tested for viability at an independent laboratory before we accept them for packing, and we only accept seeds of the highest quality. There are many variables that can affect germination, and we are always happy to send replacement seed if seeds do not germinate.We mailed replacement corn seed the day after speaking with this gardener and do not know why he did not receive it. We will contact him to verify his mailing address.
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| Positive | hannah82
Brea, CA
(3 reviews)
May 19, 2011 | I recently purchased two packets of basil seeds (Italian Large Leaf and Purple Petra) from this company. I promptly planted them expecting low germination rates as is typical for most herbs. Boy was I wrong. Not only did nearly all of them sprout, but they sprouted in as little as 2 days!
Seed packets are also beautifully illustrated and full of useful and whimsical information about the plant being seeded. I will most definitely be purchasing seeds from this company again. |
| Positive | Kestrel_3
Finlayson, MN
(4 reviews)
March 17, 2011 | I am very pleased with Botanical Interests. I ordered from them for the first time last year and then again this year. They are extremely fast with shipping and their packaging is great. My seeds last year grew very well. This year my seeds are starting out great and I expect them to do well again this summer. I will continue to order from this company! |
| Positive | doghill6
Central Point, OR
(Zone 8a)
(21 reviews)
February 26, 2011 | The fastest delivery ever. It seemed like I had them the day after I completed my online order, very nicely packed in a box. The shipping was less than most of the others too. Great service. I have never used their seeds, but I assume everything will be fine. |
| Positive | l_m_stephenson
Saint Louis, MO
(9 reviews)
February 26, 2011 | Posted on March 4, 2010, updated February 26, 2011
I have bought these seeds for a couple of years and I have had very good germination. I decided to order on line because of the better variety. I ordered about 40 dollars of seeds. When I received my order (in under 5 days) I had two seed packets missing. I emailed the company, heard back promptly, and had the missing seeds within a few days. They also sent a little calendar with some beautiful pictures. I am glad that the customer service is as high a quality as their seeds. I will definitely be back!
And I have already gotten really good germination with the one pack of seeds I started :)
On February 26th, 2011, l_m_stephenson added the following:
another great order- thanks! I just got my 2011 and order and am definitely still a happy camper.
Seeds shipped fast and look great. Last year's order grew beautifully and I am looking forward to another great harvest. |
| Positive | rodericrinehart
Hagerstown, IN
(3 reviews)
February 21, 2011 | This place seems like the best all-around seed company out there. Affordable, extremely high quality, and dedicated customer service. |
| Positive | jeainky
Georgetown, KY
(3 reviews)
February 14, 2011 | I can't believe this company doesn't have more ratings than this! This is by far the best seed company that I do business with. The personal touches are great!
The seed packets are literally works of art. I want to frame every one. The seeds come in good quantities, no cheating with weights and terms. They germinate and are actually the correct variety when they sprout.
Plus, with the prices I'm not sure how they stay in business. Maybe by providing a much needed service and taking care of their customers! |
| Positive | RUBYS
Wrens, GA
(11 reviews)
January 26, 2011 | I just received my second order for seeds. Very quick service and received exactly what I ordered. I have sowed about 3 packs of seeds so far, but I can't seem to stop ordering. I love the descriptons as well as the detailed instructions. I love the idea of growing something that my grandparents might have grown in their own gardens. |
| Positive | laspasturas
Choctaw, OK
(4 reviews)
March 5, 2010 | I've bought Botanical Interests seed packs at the nursery in the past, but this was my first year ordering from them. I like that they have a wide selection of organic heirlooms. The service and communication were great and the packaging was very nice. |
| Positive | obscurity2
Glenmont, NY
(12 reviews)
February 21, 2010 | Seeds ordered January 29th, all received February 3rd.
Will report back in late spring on germination.
This has been a good year for me, seeds ordered from 10 companies and everything now received.
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| Positive | Friedman777
Nashville, TN
(2 reviews)
February 8, 2010 | I was astonished when my order arrived within 2 days of my placing it. Accurate, reasonably priced, well-packed, great website. Wow. Nothing sprouted yet, but, hey, I just planted seeds (indoors of course) a couple days ago. |
| Positive | locakelly
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 9a)
(2 reviews)
January 15, 2010 | I have ordered from BI several times now and love love love this company!! They have a nice selection of seeds and their shipping is very prompt (for me usually 3 days from order to delivery!). The seed packets are beautiful as well as a wealth of information!! Germination of all varieties I have tried is very close to 100% and all have been true to what they said they were.
I really love this company and can't recommend them enough. I also like the fact that I am supporting a family owned company. I am able to buy their seeds locally at one nursery, but love the expanded online selection! |
| Positive | Hintont
Cincinnati, OH
(3 reviews)
April 27, 2009 | Ordered +$100 in organic vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds online. These arrived w/in three days! Germination has been excellent. Prices are much better than Seeds of Change, who has completely fallen out of favor due to horrible service and slow shipments.
BI will be my organic edibles supplier from now own!
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| Positive | Kalynn
Nashville, TN
(3 reviews)
February 20, 2009 | I absolutely adore this company. I love the beautiful sketches on the front as well as the wealth of information on the packets. I ordered seeds from them online on Sunday and got them in the mail today (Friday). I highly recommend looking online, as they have a larger selection than what you may be able to find in stores. Highly recommended! |
| Positive | OzarkCook
Middle of nowhere, AR
(Zone 7a)
(3 reviews)
February 2, 2009 | I've ordered from 3 companies so far this year, Botanical Interests being the last. Despite that fact, I got my order from them first, everything I requested with no problems at all, even with winter storms. I also love how Botanical Interests packages different varieties together so a small garden can have more variety. I've used Botanical Interests for several years and always love the results. |
| Positive | BostonGarden
Reading, MA
(3 reviews)
January 1, 2009 | Fantastic fantastic fantastic!
They shipped the seeds right over, great germination rate.. extensive instructions on the inside of every packet. Great variety of organics, as well.
Will order from them again soon! |
| Positive | girlbug2
Westminster, CA
(10 reviews)
March 25, 2008 | I admit, when I first saw the seed racks at Armstrong Garden center with 3 or 4 brands to choose from, I was most attracted to Botanical Interests because of the pretty pictures on the packets. But after some experimenting, I found that their slightly higher prices were justified by the overall good quality and germination rates of the seeds inside. A bonus -- BI also boasts the best, most extensive growing instructions of any seed packets I've ever seen next to Renee's.
I grow mostly open pollinated and heirloom varieties of veggies and flowers. Botanical Interests is one of the few retail store brands that has a reasonable selection along with some hybrids. Some of the best successes I've had with BI seeds over the past four years have been: Mission Bells california poppies, Cutom Blend basil mix, various sweet peas, Cascadia peas and Jack Be Little pumpkins, all bought off the rack.
Hint: for a great kids' gift, get the book Roots Boots Buckets and Shoots by Lovejoy and package it in a gift basket along with pretty seed packets and colorful child's gardening tools. Botanical Interests has pretty seed packets for gift giving and many child-friendly varieties of flowers and veggies for this purpose. |
| Positive | Idahoan
Boise, ID
(Zone 6a)
(17 reviews)
February 28, 2008 | What a pleasure to do business with this company. The time from ordering to receiving the seeds is 3 to 5 days. I live in Idaho and they are in Colorado so there isn't a major distance between us. But they do ship a day or two after the order is received.
I placed 3 orders from them this year. I love the pictures on the seed envelopes and the information inside the packets. Germination in the past has been close to 100%. I am just getting started with this year's seed starting and expect germination will be the same.
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| Positive | Spriggin
Selma, OR
(18 reviews)
November 18, 2007 | For years I have bought their seeds locally and have been very satisfied. |
| Positive | jessmerritt
Roswell, NM
(Zone 7b)
(35 reviews)
November 19, 2006 | I have grown seeds from Botanical Interests for a few years now, yet have never used their mail order website. A local hardware store in my town stocks their products. I have always had excellent luck with germination of their seeds. They have a great heirloom selection, detailed growing info for those that need it, and it's all organic! |
| Positive | petit_potager
(29 reviews)
May 16, 2006 | The germination rate of every variety is tested. Moreover, every packet comes with an unconditional guarantee. I have experienced excellent results with their peppy seed. Their packaging merges art, gardening and science. As a professional artist, I appreciate their packet illustrations. |
| Positive | northcalgarden
Gilroy, CA
(1 review)
March 20, 2006 | I bought Quinoa seeds--new to me, and a new product to them as well. They were very helpful and supportive in trying to grow this plant in winter in Northern California at about 200 feet elevation (it is usually a high-altitude spring crop). Very available via their 800 number for any questions not addressed in their very informative packages.
On March 20th, 2006, northcalgarden added the following:
Oh, yeah--100% germination on the quinoa seeds. |
| Positive | iontreasures
Spring Hill, FL
(1 review)
February 1, 2006 | I bought seeds from Botanical Interests in an organic grocery store, and the germination has been excellent! The detailed information inside the packages is much more than what most companies put in, and it also includes info for growing in warm climates. The growing plants have been of excellent quality. I was quite impressed, especially after hearing so many sources say "don't buy seeds from a store rack". You can buy their seeds in retail outlets and online as well, however. I also sent them an email complimenting the seed/package quality, and received a VERY prompt and personalized thank you reply! I appreciate the wide variety of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds they offer.
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| Positive | hopseapoo
Ben Lomond
United States
(3 reviews)
November 13, 2004 | I have purchased many packets of flower and vegetable seeds from this company. They always germinate well. They have extensive notes on culture and origin. |
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