Questions About Seeds and Other Products

What are the differences between treated, untreated, and organic seed?

• TREATED SEED has been treated in an appropriate manner to protect it from specific seed- or soil-borne pathogens and thus improve its performance. The treatment may be hot water, chemical, or biological, depending on the pathogen involved. Treatment is applied under controlled conditions, in a commonly recognized fashion, at the manufacturer’s recommended rate. Some disease problems cannot be treated by any known seed treatments, and some plant species do not have disease problems that would necessitate seed treatment. These seeds are offered in clean, untreated condition.
• UNTREATED SEED is clean and has not been treated using any chemical, biological, or physical method. They should only be planted when soil conditions are ideal and quick germination can be realized to establish a successful field population. Seed crop was not grown under Certified Organic Conditions. Certified Organic Growers: Untreated seed is allowed in Certified Organic production, provided that a comparable variety is not available in Certified Organic seed. Check with your certifying agency for approval.
• ORGANIC SEED is clean and untreated, and it was grown under Certified Organic conditions. Allowed for use in Certified Organic production.

How many seeds in a pound, for those seeds that are sold by weight?
This varies with different items. Please see each species page for weight to seed count conversion.

What is pelleted (Pltd.) seed?
Some seed is offered in this convenient, easy to see and space, pelleted form. An inert material on each seed builds the seed size up, ensuring easier handling. Pelleted seed helps smooth your production operations and we urge you to give our selection a try!

What is film coated seed?
Film coating adds a very thin, colored film around the seed, slightly increasing the weight of the seed. Seed can be either just film coated, or both treated and film coated. The non-toxic film coat keeps pesticide seed treatments completely enclosed around the seed for maximum effect, also preventing the handler of the seed from being exposed to these seed treatments. The film coat also aids in precision sowing and the color makes the seed easier to see during planting.

How many seeds does it take to plant an acre?
You can calculate your population per acre by taking 6,272,640 (number of square inches in an acre) and dividing by the number of inches between the rows (36), then dividing again by the number of inches within the row (9). 6,272,640 ÷ 36 = 174,240 and 174,240 ÷ 9 = 19,360 seeds per acre

My seed package was left outside in freezing temperatures. Will my seed be damaged?
As long as the seed did not get wet, the freezing temperatures will not hurt the seed.

Can I start my seeds in a window?
Although some have been successful, it is risky to use this technique due to light and temperature issues. Seedlings on a window sill will stretch and grow unevenly. For best germination, it is important to provide even lighting directly above the seedling tray. The use of a light stand is recommended. Uneven and fluctuating air temperatures can also cause poor and uneven germination. Providing even warmth in the soil can be accomplished by using heat mats or cables for bottom heat.

The seed packet states either light (L) or dark (D) is needed. What does this mean?
If your packet specifies light (L) for germination, you can still cover your seed very lightly with some vermiculite to help with moisture retention, but make sure that enough light shows through to the seed to initiate germination. Other species of seed germinate better in a dark (D) environment, with little to no light. In those cases, using a coarse vermiculate or a good seed starting mix to cover your seedling trays not only helps to exclude light, it also helps retain moisture.

Why do some varieties become back ordered or out of stock?
Just as you have to work with nature in producing a crop of vegetables or flowers, our seed suppliers have to work with nature to produce a crop of viable seeds. Sometimes there's just not enough seed from a given crop to meet the demand. Harris sells only seeds that meet the highest criteria. We place multiple orders for seed throughout the growing year. At times you may have to wait for a fresh seed crop to be harvested before we can provide the seed to you. Sometimes there is an unprecedented demand for varieties that address disease or climactic conditions. In those cases, demand may simply exceed supply. Our suggestion for ensuring that you receive the varieties that you prefer: order as soon as possible after you receive our catalogs.

Why has Harris Seeds stopped carrying my favorite variety (vegetable or flower)?
Unfortunately, each year our suppliers discontinue producing varieties that have been staples with our customers for many years. Breeding programs are producing new products at an unbelievable rate now and many older varieties are being replaced by the newer ones. Please call anytime you no longer see a favorite variety listed. We will be happy to recommend a suitable substitute.