Canadian Seed Catalogue Index 2023
Did you know there are 122 garden seed companies in Canada (that we know of) that sell 8995 different kinds of vegetable seeds? That's a lot, and we know that because we made an index of all their catalogues!
Every year, our Canadian Seed Catalogue Index is updated to record the diversity and availability of vegetable varieties across Canada. You can use it to find your favourite varieties, or you can use it to find varieties that are sold in your region.
Check out the complete list at https://seeds.ca/sources or use our Ecological Seed Finder tool to search by region or for certified organic seeds.
Every year, there are more sources of some varieties, and every year there are fewer sources of some varieties. That's why we update the index every year: it's a crucial tool in our process of determining which varieties need to be actively conserved. When we recruit seed-grower volunteers to help rejuvenate rare varieties, we use the seed catalogue index to help identify the varieties that are in the greatest need of rescuing.
You can use the seed index for conservation too!
You can make a difference by saving seeds of a really rare variety, and offering it to other seed savers. We call it "Save One Rare Variety". Here's how:
- Check the Canadian Seed Catalogue Index for a seed variety that's interesting to you, but is only sold by one company. Remember, tomatoes, beans, peas, and lettuce are good plants for beginning seed savers because they self-pollinate.
- Buy those seeds to support the company that's helping preserve them, grow them, and save more.
- Offer your saved seeds in our Member Seed Exchange next year.
Just with these simple steps, you can double the number of places where those seeds are available to gardeners. That helps ensure that the variety will be preserved for another year.
If everyone saved just one rare variety, there might not be any rare varieties anymore!
Not yet a member?
An annual membership to Seeds of Diversity gives you access to our seed exchange, seed grow-out programs, and our online news.
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