Ordering Free Seeds

Ordering Free Seeds
hand pruning seedlings
 

The 2023 Free Seed Program is now closed!

Our volunteers and staff worked hard again this year to provide this great program, talking over 1,000 orders!
We plan to open again next year in January.

Special thanks to our outstanding Master Gardener volunteers and supporting businesses who donate seeds to make the program such a success.   


 
Seedling Emerging

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The Story of Our Free Seed Program

Beginning in 2017, Extension Master Gardeners have offered this unique resource to educators who want to teach others about growing plants in the Granite State. The seeds are donated by stores and mailed to eligible educational groups, including  schools, home schools, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, 4-H clubs, community gardens, youth groups and individuals conducting education. Over 100 vegetable, herb and flower seed varieties are available.  Details change slightly from year to year and are described in an online order form.  

The free seed program was started by Master Gardener Gary Sheehan, who got the idea after hearing of a similar program at the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension. “At first I had no idea how to go ahead, so I, and four or five other Master Gardeners, pounded the pavement visiting local garden shops asking for discarded seed packets and started collecting.” They found that, not only did smaller garden centers throw away the past season’s expired seed packets, but so did larger stores, such as Walmart and Home Depot, who are frequent contributors. Although “the seeds are technically expired by a month or so when we get them,” Gary says, “germination tests conducted the past two years showed the seeds were viable.”  Read "Spreading Seeds: Master Gardener Gary Sheehan Leads the Free Seed Project"

 


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Got questions? The Ask UNH Extension Infoline offers practical help finding answers for your home, yard, and garden questions.
Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or e-mail us at answers@unh.edu.