Avoid These 9 Garden Seed Buying Blunders!

[@nakiahawkins9239]

We can't buy GMO seeds

[@FoodPlusFreedom]

I wish GMO seeds weren't available and out in the market. Unfortunately, in the United States you can buy treated and genetically modified seeds. You just might not realize it. If you go to a place that breaks up bulk seeds, these seeds can be genetically engineered and treated. I've asked to look at the bulk bags and it says on them that they may contain genetically engineered ingredients. The seeds are broken up into white packages that they mark what is inside. Plus, the seeds were the wrong color, which is treated. They are treated with GE material and synthetic pesticide/herbicides. I've also accidentally bought treated seeds in the regular store not realizing they are genetically engineered and treated, but it said so right on the package. I didn't think we had it GE seeds available to individuals, but I was wrong. Plus, unless the seeds indicate non-gmo or the company specifically says they do not carry any seeds that are non-gmo, why risk it. Thanks for watching.

[@nakiahawkins9239]

@FoodPlusFreedom I've never seen it but I only buy heirloom from reputable companies. So there might be seeds out there that I'm not aware of.

[@FoodPlusFreedom]

@ Very Smart. We either save seeds, swap with other savers, or buy like you do.

[@bobbun9630]

Mostly right. "GMO-Free", as used by seed companies is most definitely a marketing scheme designed to exploit public concern about genetically modified crops. None of the common varieties of seeds available from seed companies fit the most common understanding of "GMO" in the public mind (transgenic). GMO seeds aren't something consumers are likely to encounter by accident for the same reason that pharmaceuticals costing thousands of dollars aren't likely to be encountered at random: The companies that produce these things jealously guard their intellectual property so they can charge sky-high prices for them. That said, there are a few things you could run across. Seedless watermelons are seedless for the same reason that grocery store bananas are seedless: They're sterile triploids. Neither occurs in nature, and in the case of watermelons, at least, the process is partly done in a lab through artificial means. No genes not already present in watermelons are involved, though. The "white russet" styled potatoes in the grocery store have a gene deliberately introduced into them using methods used for transgenic crops, and you could probably attempt to grow them in your garden. The genes involved came from potatoes, though, so they're not transgenic in the conventional sense. You could also have your own saved seeds contaminated by commercial crops, if you grow near commercial crops that are commonly transgenic, like corn or sugar beets. But you won't find such seeds being sold by commercial seed companies in any way such that you, as the consumer, would be able to identify them as transgenic. Incidentally, transgenic organisms occur naturally both in and out of the food supply. Every sweet potato is naturally transgenic, containing a gene from Agrobacterium. "Treated" is another vague term, but wouldn't generally be anything related to gene modification,

[@FoodPlusFreedom]

​@@bobbun9630 I will agree with some of what you say. Non-GMO has become a huge marketing situation over the years for seeds and food because not all foods have gmo counter parts. As far as consumers not getting gmo seeds by accident, it depends on where you are getting your seeds. I agree that most GMO seeds are sold in mass to the large farmers. However, farmers (or groups of smaller farmers) do and can sell off their extra seeds to the public. No, you probably won't find on purpose GMO seeds at a big box store. Very true about getting transgenic contamination even within your own garden depending on what is being grown around you. With that said, seed companies such as Fedco Seeds test their beets and corn for transgenetic contamination. Any they find that are affected they don't sell. Though they can't guarantee all seeds are not contaminated. This tells me there is a huge issue for GMO contamination. There are no guarantees. I stand corrected on the treated seeds, for they are not genetically modified necessarily but coated with a synthetic herbicide, other biologicals, etc. Thank you for the information regarding bananas I was not aware they are suppose to have seeds. We just need to have full transparency of food we buy, seeds and livestock we grow, so everyone can decide what they want and don't. As you can tell I want food that is not poisonous to eat or grow. We all have our own definition of clean eating. Thank you again for your information, it was very helpful. Thank you for watching.