Fedco Seeds

MissS · November 16, 2017

It has been many years since I have ordered from Fedco. I used them a lot before they became employee owned. After the change I found that prices went up and service declined. I recently gave them another try and I am sad to say that it was a thumbs down experience.

I ordered only four items. I paid $5.00 for shipping four packs of seed. One was a pack of Rosa Bianca Eggplant. The tomatoes were fine. However the Rosa Bianca had a 69% germination rate marked on the package. I was not happy and contacted Fedco. They said that federal germination regulations for eggplant were 68% and that theirs was above that. I could keep the seeds or send them back for a full refund but they would not be replacing them.

Fedco has lost a longtime customer. Never again...

Father'sDaughter · November 16, 2017

I haven't ordered from them in a few years, but I know they are still very popular with local small farms, CSA growers and community gardens as they sell in bulk quantities. From your experience, I'm guessing that's their primary focus these days -- small commercial and market farmers buying big packs, not those of us just looking for a few small packets of seeds.

jtjmartin · November 16, 2017

I've bought seeds from FedCo and had a good experience. Just one guy - but it worked for me.

Jeff

Cole_Robbie · November 17, 2017

I have always been skeptical of their variety descriptions of tomatoes. I've read their glowing reviews of varieties I have grown and with which I was not that impressed. "Puffery" is the legal term. It means that you are not doing anything outright dishonest or illegal...just embellishing the up side a tad, like any good salesperson would do.

Labradors2 · November 17, 2017

I've bought from them in the past and been happy. I will buy from them again if they have what I'm looking for.

Linda

Worth1 · November 17, 2017

At least they were honest about the germination rate.
I would test it myself before making a decision if it were me.
Worth

Ken B · November 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissS

It has been many years since I have ordered from Fedco. I used them a lot before they became employee owned. After the change I found that prices went up and service declined.

For this part, maybe you're thinking of Johnny's? Johnny's transitioned to employee ownership in the last 10 years.

Fedco's always been a cooperative since the '70s (it's part of the funkiness of their name, something like Federation of Cooperatives). They're 60% owned by consumers, 40% owned by the workers.

Anyway -- I like them a lot, I ordered seeds from them for 10 years before starting to work at a (different) seed company, then getting to know them and cooperate with them. From my perspective they're very dedicated and passionate folks.

berryman · November 17, 2017

I have bought from them for 7 or 8 years now and am very satisfied with quality and price.

berryman · November 17, 2017

I have bought from them for 7 or 8 years and have been very satisfied with prices and quality.

PhilaGardener · November 18, 2017

The high cost of shipping is a problem across the industry - it is killing small busness. I feel it every time I want to mail a small package (and I'm not trying to run a business).

The Federal Germination Standard for eggplant seed seems to be 60%, so they were above the regulation by more than they indicated.
www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/bulletins/b1001.pdf
is a report from the CT Ag Experimental Station (2005) that shows germ rates on commercial eggplant seed lots (page 6) that range from 50% into the 70%s. None were spectacular.

I've had problems with low germination of eggplant seeds from several suppliers so share your pain. Sorry you had a bad experience and hope next season is better!

clkeiper · November 18, 2017

Eggplant is a notoriously poor germinator. I don't even save seeds from one year to the next for them. I have had 0 germination on saved year old seeds. Last year I bought plants from some one else instead of growing my own. it wasn't worth it to me to try. so, really 69% in my book is a great %. I say try them but sow heavy.. give away the extras if you can. otherwise you may as well throw away the seeds that you don't use this year anyway.

and 5.00 for shipping some seeds is ridiculous but no one seems to be any cheaper, either. I pay 5 to have my seeds shipped from a commercial supplier and as much as I order it should be free, but it isn't. I order 500.00 worth and still pay. Johnny's is 200.00 and free shipping. 200.00 is not a lot of seeds from Johnny's either.

Worth1 · November 18, 2017

Tomato growers supply charges me $3.95 S/H no matter what it is or the amount and yes they have ROSA BIANCA seeds.

pmcgrady · November 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

Tomato growers supply charges me $3.95 S/H no matter what it is or the amount and yes they have ROSA BIANCA seeds.

Plus they usually throw in a free packet of tomato seeds!

Father'sDaughter · November 18, 2017

Went looking out of curiosity. Here is the pricing for the smallest pack each offers.

Fedco - Rosa Bianca - 48 seeds- $1.50

TGS - Rosa Bianca - 30 seeds - $2.95

Worth1 · November 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

Went looking out of curiosity. Here is the pricing for the smallest pack each offers.

Fedco - Rosa Bianca - 48 seeds- $1.50

TGS - Rosa Bianca - 30 seeds - $2.95

Considering the extra charges but 18 more seeds it is more or less about the same.
My mind isn't into any kind of math right now at all.

But we are talking about the price of a frigging candy bar these days.

November 16, 2017	#1
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,149	Fedco Seeds It has been many years since I have ordered from Fedco. I used them a lot before they became employee owned. After the change I found that prices went up and service declined. I recently gave them another try and I am sad to say that it was a thumbs down experience. I ordered only four items. I paid $5.00 for shipping four packs of seed. One was a pack of Rosa Bianca Eggplant. The tomatoes were fine. However the Rosa Bianca had a 69% germination rate marked on the package. I was not happy and contacted Fedco. They said that federal germination regulations for eggplant were 68% and that theirs was above that. I could keep the seeds or send them back for a full refund but they would not be replacing them. Fedco has lost a longtime customer. Never again... __________________ ~ Patti ~

November 18, 2017	#10
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	The high cost of shipping is a problem across the industry - it is killing small busness. I feel it every time I want to mail a small package (and I'm not trying to run a business). The Federal Germination Standard for eggplant seed seems to be 60%, so they were above the regulation by more than they indicated. www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/bulletins/b1001.pdf is a report from the CT Ag Experimental Station (2005) that shows germ rates on commercial eggplant seed lots (page 6) that range from 50% into the 70%s. None were spectacular. I've had problems with low germination of eggplant seeds from several suppliers so share your pain. Sorry you had a bad experience and hope next season is better! Last edited by PhilaGardener; November 18, 2017 at 08:46 AM. Reason: Fixed link

November 18, 2017	#11
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	Eggplant is a notoriously poor germinator. I don't even save seeds from one year to the next for them. I have had 0 germination on saved year old seeds. Last year I bought plants from some one else instead of growing my own. it wasn't worth it to me to try. so, really 69% in my book is a great %. I say try them but sow heavy.. give away the extras if you can. otherwise you may as well throw away the seeds that you don't use this year anyway. and 5.00 for shipping some seeds is ridiculous but no one seems to be any cheaper, either. I pay 5 to have my seeds shipped from a commercial supplier and as much as I order it should be free, but it isn't. I order 500.00 worth and still pay. Johnny's is 200.00 and free shipping. 200.00 is not a lot of seeds from Johnny's either. __________________ carolyn k Last edited by clkeiper; November 18, 2017 at 10:05 AM.

November 18, 2017	#14
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	Fedco Seeds Went looking out of curiosity. Here is the pricing for the smallest pack each offers. Fedco - Rosa Bianca - 48 seeds- $1.50 TGS - Rosa Bianca - 30 seeds - $2.95

November 16, 2017	#3
jtjmartin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: Williamsburg VA Zone 7b Posts: 1,110	I've bought seeds from FedCo and had a good experience. Just one guy - but it worked for me. Jeff

November 17, 2017	#4
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I have always been skeptical of their variety descriptions of tomatoes. I've read their glowing reviews of varieties I have grown and with which I was not that impressed. "Puffery" is the legal term. It means that you are not doing anything outright dishonest or illegal...just embellishing the up side a tad, like any good salesperson would do.

November 17, 2017	#5
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,895	I've bought from them in the past and been happy. I will buy from them again if they have what I'm looking for. Linda

November 17, 2017	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	At least they were honest about the germination rate. I would test it myself before making a decision if it were me. Worth

November 17, 2017	#8
berryman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: central utah Posts: 233	I have bought from them for 7 or 8 years now and am very satisfied with quality and price.