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Freedom Seeds for Free

February 9th, 2009

I’m a member of a community called Freedom Gardeners. It is just one of the services provided by the Dervaes family. This is their mission: Path to Freedom strives to inspire individuals to “think globally, act locally” by motivating them to live a simpler and more fulfilling life on the path to eco-stewardship.

Along those lines of helping others learn to live more sustainably, they have started selling Freedom Seeds.

fg-logo-shield-300x299-web1These seeds are carefully chosen open-pollinated varieties and are non-hybrid, non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms), non-Monsanto (yeah). You can be certain when you purchase these seeds you are not supporting big agri-business and you’re supporting a family that’s doing their part to help us be more involved in our food.

In order the show my support, I’m ordering some Freedom Seeds and I’m going to be giving away Freedom Seeds to one of my lucky readers. All you have to do is comment on this post, tell me what you would like to grow (if you want, download the seed list and tell me the 3 kinds of seeds you would like). At the end of this week I’ll pick a winner and I’ll order your 3 seed choices with my order.
freedom-seed-list
You can also download the Freedom Seed List and if you mention my blog you’ll receive 5% off your seed order. If you’ve never grown any of your own food before try starting with some lettuce, it’s a quick and easy veggie to grow. I’ll caution you though, you may find yourself hooked and start growing more and more of your own food (which is a great thing!).

What would you like to grow this summer? Do you start your own seeds? (take the poll)

41 Comments to “Freedom Seeds for Free”
  1. redclay on February 9, 2009 at 6:54 am

    Awesome offer Mr. & Mrs. Chiots!

    I’d love to grow some of the Tall Telephone Peas, red russian kale…and who can pass up something by the name of Bulls Blood Beets?!

    Reply to redclay's comment

  2. Bridgett on February 9, 2009 at 7:33 am

    I do grow my own veggies but have never done so from seed. I think you and another blogger have inspired me though. I have to admit that I am into all kinds of old vintage stuff (glassware mostly) and am intrigued by heirloom seeds. So maybe I can combine the two…
    This year, I want to grow lettuce, yellow squash, peppers, banana peppers, and some other varieties of squash (butternut, hubbard, and the like). And the tried and true tomatoes. Not sure what would be good to do from seed as a beginner though.

    Reply to Bridgett's comment

  3. Chicago Mike on February 9, 2009 at 9:07 am

    Hello Bridget (via Susy),

    I, like Susy, am a Freedom Gardener.

    I was a little leary a few years ago of growing from seed, but talked to my Dad (who has done it as long as I can remember, literally) and jumped in. It is remarkably easy with a little effort. One of the big advantages, which you kind of mention, is the larger selection. That includes heirlooms. Interestingly, heirlooms are just that because people saved seed and planted them from seed for so long.

    That is not to say that I won’t end up buying some seedlings from the local nursery when I realize whatever plant it is I forgot and just HAVE to have. :)

    Best of Luck in Susy’s drawing!

    With Best Regard,

    Chicago Mike

    Reply to Chicago Mike's comment

  4. farm mom on February 9, 2009 at 10:31 am

    This is awesome of you susy, really. What a great way to get people into FG’s, support the D family and OP, non-GMO seeds. I’ve really turned my attn toawrds seed saving too, hoping to really get into it more this year. I’ve already ordered my seeds for this year, but I sincerely hope you get all kinds of people here for the contest and thiking about gardening in a different way.

    Reply to farm mom's comment

  5. warren on February 9, 2009 at 10:45 am

    We just got their seed list last week also. We plan to get some of their stock and save seeds as well. We’ve typically done hybrids, etc but this year we are moving to all heirloom, OP, etc seeds. I can’t wait to see how it goes!

    Reply to warren's comment

  6. Andres Stell on February 9, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Thanks Susy,
    This is my first year of really trying to expand my small garden to grow as much food as we can for our family. Three things I’d like to grow are bush beans, broccoli and radishes. Good luck with your garden.
    -Andrés

    Reply to Andres Stell's comment

  7. Maureen on February 9, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    Yippee Yahoo….we got our seed list but haven’t ordered yet, maybe I’ll just wait till the contest is over!

    Reply to Maureen's comment

  8. debbie on February 9, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    i saw your post on Pioneer Woman’s website so I thought i woul check you out. I’m a very inexperienced gardener but I love it!

    Reply to debbie's comment

  9. Jilana on February 9, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    What a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!

    I live in zone 6 and container garden…am becoming interested in heirloom seeds and would love to learn how to start from seed by just jumping in. As I understand it, I need to get busy real soon if I want to have seedlings ready!

    Of course I must have tomatoes…but also love bell peppers because they do so well in my small space. And they freeze beautifully! I still have some green and some red from last summer. But I would love to do zucchini and yellow squash, and start an herb garden: chives, garlic, basil, rosemary, dill, cilantro, parsley.

    Now I’ve really got the fever!

    Reply to Jilana's comment

  10. Joe on February 9, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Cool post…I am definitely going to check out Freedom Seeds!

    This year, I’m thinking of planting some melons, and maybe a few more varieties of heirloom lettuce.

    Varieties to consider:

    ‘Petit Gris’ melon
    ‘Grandpa Admire’s’ lettuce
    ‘Deer Tongue’ lettuce

    Reply to Joe's comment

  11. Mangochild on February 10, 2009 at 4:46 am

    Good source! I will check them out, even though I am trying to control myself and not overdo all the seeds… its hard to stick with the plan. I really like the idea of supporting a business that comes from a smaller group rather than one of the more industrial companies by getting at least some of my seeds there.

    Reply to Mangochild's comment

  12. rachel on February 10, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Hi Susy,
    How nice of you to do this! I’d like to enter, here are my choices:
    bull’s blood beet, petit gris melon and red giant mustard. Thanks!

    Reply to rachel's comment

  13. Wendy on February 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    hmmmmm I’m not sure – but we’ll see if my name is pulled – then decide….

    wendy

    Reply to Wendy's comment

  14. N. on February 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    This will be our second year growing plants from seeds and we are sticking mostly to the ones we grew last year but our expanding our horizons to more herbs.

    If I win I’d prefer the seeds to be a surprise- I think its more interesting that way.

    Reply to N.'s comment

  15. Pampered Mom on February 11, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    I love that they’re selling seeds now! Last year was the third year we’ve had our own garden and by far the most successful attempt. This year I’m having a hard time keeping the grow list reigned in! We’ve had mixed success starting plants from seed, but we’re hoping this year will be an exception.

    I grew the Detroit Dark Red Beets from another source last year…they were so good. I’m also interested in the Rose Bianca Eggplant and the French Breakfast Radish. :0)

    Reply to Pampered Mom's comment

  16. Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife on February 11, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Very generous giveaway! Please include me in the drawing. I’d love to try out Grandpa Admires lettuce, the Red Rib dandelion, and the Bull’s Blood beets.

    I start my own seeds for most things, but I will also buy a few starts if my seeds don’t germinate so well on some things. It’s going to be a great year for gardening. I can just feel it.

    Thanks much,

    Kate

    Reply to Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife's comment

  17. Vanessa on February 11, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    Thanks for doing this! This will be my second year with a garden. I would love to try the pumpkin seeds, amish paste tomatoes and any type of lettuce (a surprise would be nice).

    Reply to Vanessa's comment

  18. Ellen Christian on February 11, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    I just received my order & I’ll be putting in Pac choi, prize; mustard, red giant; mizuna, early greens; and kale, red russion.

    These are all new to me this year so I can’t wait!

    Ellen Christian’s last blog post..Frugal tip of the day

    Reply to Ellen Christian's comment

  19. Amanda Ressler on February 11, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    What a great idea!! Very generous of you!! This will be my first year with my own garden and I am growing all OP varieties. I would like to try the Eden’s Gem melon, the DeCicco broccoli, and the MusquedeProvence pumpkin.

    Thanks and good luck to all!

    Reply to Amanda Ressler's comment

  20. Mooselovingmamabear on February 11, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Wow, what would we grow…. everything. I feel like Mr. and Mrs Job; dh lost 85% of his hearing overnight; then lost his jobl ds lost his job; a sucide of a close family friend; my bil death; and well, we’re growing the largest garden ever on our small section of the earth…LOL Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, peppers, beets, kale, peppers, potatoes and whatever else I can fit in…. oh…corn… LOL

    Mooselovingmamabear’s last blog post..Off to Nebraska

    Reply to Mooselovingmamabear's comment

  21. Jenna on February 11, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Hi there! Great blog!

    I’d grow arugula and beets from this list… they sound awesome!

    Jenna’s last blog post..As I continue slaving, er, serving, I encounter more celebrities…

    Reply to Jenna's comment

  22. Shreela on February 12, 2009 at 1:57 am

    I’m new to this site after seeing this contest, thanks, and good luck to all. If I win, I’d like Amish Paste tomato, Wrinkled Cress, and Rosa Bianca Eggplant, unless it won’t grow in zone 9b. If that eggplant doesn’t like hot weather, then Joe’s Long Cayenne. I’ll be growing these in containers for the first time this spring, since my soil is cruddy and can only grow green beans (yard long asparagus beans, we LOVE them) and summer squash (I already have both those seeds).

    Thanks, now I’m going to check out your blog 8^)

    Reply to Shreela's comment

  23. Anny on February 12, 2009 at 7:59 am

    I love the freedom seed idea. It’s nice knowing you are not supporting the big evil (monsanto)

    this year I’m planning on growing Roma Tomatoes, salad green, snap peas, snow pea,egg plant, spinach, a few types of carrots, bell peppers, green beans,water melon, some cover crops and some greens for my chickens.

    Anny’s last blog post..A little bit about bees

    Reply to Anny's comment

  24. FarmerGeek on February 12, 2009 at 9:52 am

    The wife and I do start our garden from seeds for everything we can. We grow a wide variety of fruits and veggies. This year we are going to try for pumpkin and a watermelon patches in addition to the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, etc in the main garden.

    FarmerGeek

    FarmerGeek’s last blog post..States Rights vs. Federal Rights

    Reply to FarmerGeek's comment

  25. MM on February 12, 2009 at 10:03 am

    This looks like a web page I’m going to have to look at more closely! I’ve been considering doing a Freedom Garden, but haven’t decided yet. Maybe this will put me over the edge! I’m interested in any of the following:
    Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans
    Lettuce Mix
    Marconi Red Peppers
    French Breakfast Radishes
    Amish Paste Tomatoes

    Reply to MM's comment

  26. lee on February 12, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    I’m not entering any contest till Lucy is well enough to pick my name. She promised.

    Reply to lee's comment

  27. Gerrie on February 12, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    I’m coordinating a community garden, hoping to
    pass on the sustainable bug.
    I would love radishes, lettuce, and carrots.

    Reply to Gerrie's comment

  28. LB on February 12, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    I moved a year ago, leaving a house with lots of flower gardens. So I’m new to vegetable gardening and am going to try growing them in containers this year. I’d love some freedom seeds, preferably a good variety of greens and maybe some yummy purple carrots! Great blog.

    Reply to LB's comment

  29. The Sustainable Backyard on February 13, 2009 at 12:32 am

    What a wonderful idea. I began flower bed gardening last year and had a bumper crop of bell peppers, but little of anything else. If I were to win, I think I would like spinach, lettuce blend or deer tongue, and green beans….actually, if I won I would be happy with anything!
    Thanks so much!

    The Sustainable Backyard’s last blog post..$25 Shell Card Giveaway!

    Reply to The Sustainable Backyard's comment

  30. […] of you have commented on the Freedom Seeds for Free post. There is still time to comment if you’d like and one of my loyal readers generously […]

    Reply to There’s Still Time for Free Seeds at Chiot’s Run's comment

  31. Frugal Trenches on February 13, 2009 at 6:34 am

    Oh oh yes please, this would make PERFECT timing because I may just finally have a little patch of land to use!!

    Frugal Trenches’s last blog post..Bullets!

    Reply to Frugal Trenches's comment

  32. Sherri on February 13, 2009 at 7:06 am

    I’m game too! I’d do all toms – great white, brandywine and valencia. Great giveaway!

    Sherri’s last blog post..Food Planning

    Reply to Sherri's comment

  33. Mike on February 13, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Why not. I just joined Freedom Gardners and love the fact that they are starting a new seed operation. Anything to help combat Monsanto is a good thing in my book.

    I seem to be short on:

    Deer tongue lettuce
    Astro arugula
    Red Rib dandelion

    Reply to Mike's comment

  34. Annie's Granny on February 13, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    I’m all for free seeds! If I should be lucky enough to win, I can always use peas, sugar snap peas, pole or bush beans, beets, lettuce….oh heck, surprise me!

    Annie’s Granny’s last blog post..February 12, 2009: Rabbits *Heart* Radishes

    Reply to Annie’s Granny's comment

  35. Cheryl a/k/a GardenGoodies on February 14, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    You’ve come up with the most uniquely approprite way to pick a winner. I love it!!!

    I intend to grow everything from seed this year. Last year I only bought 4 tomatoes and 4 bell peppers. I thougth my starts were stunted because I set them out too soon, but the store bought and the home grown were running neck and neck by the end of the season.

    If I’m lucky to get picked, here are my choices if they’re still available:
    CU4455-2A (Lemon Cucumbers)
    ME5775-2A (Petit Gris/OG)
    SW7390-3A (Waltham Butternut/OG)

    Cheryl a/k/a GardenGoodies’s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day

    Reply to Cheryl a/k/a GardenGoodies's comment

  36. Maureen on February 14, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Legal or illegal, hear I go. I’m Mr. FotosbyMeg. I coach baseball and one of baseball’s enduring traditions is the growing of tomatoes and peppers in the bullpen. I finally have a pitching coach that agrees with me. So this year I’d like to grow a “garden in the bullpen,” not that we have many bulls on our pitching staff this year.

    Reply to Maureen's comment

  37. Steve on February 14, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    The last post by Maureen was actually me, Mr. Maureen. As usual, I hit “enter” wrongly.

    Steve in Central CA

    PS. Still looking to grow bullpen peppers. Is there a #32? if not how about 7.

    Steve’s last blog post..Ramblin’

    Reply to Steve's comment

  38. timato on February 15, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    Hello Folks,
    Congrats on sowing the seeds of Freedom.
    The organic movement is living up to its
    name and growing organically. If you have
    a chance to see the premiere of the film
    Homegrown in Cleveland please review.

    I would like to grow a salad. Bloomsadale spinach,
    Deer Tongue lettuce and Double yield cucs
    Thanks

    Reply to timato's comment

  39. Freedom Seed Winners | Chiot's Run on February 17, 2009 at 5:02 am

    […] seedling tray every couple hours for the past few days I’m happy to announce the winners of my Freedom Seeds Contest. Oddly enough cell numbers 1 and 2 won, Lee was right. He guessed that #1 would germinate first due […]

    Reply to Freedom Seed Winners | Chiot’s Run's comment

  40. Darren on October 27, 2009 at 11:26 am

    I am almost finished building a cold frame and I am excited about trying to grow some seeds. I saw your free seed ad and I would like to try to grow some lettuce-Blushed Butter , Jericho and the Lettuce Mix. It is hard to find seed this time of year. My goal is to try to have some wilted lettuce by Christmas or New Year’s… I guess we’ll see how it goes.

    Reply to Darren's comment

  41. Hal Jordan on October 23, 2010 at 2:56 am

    Too late for the seeds but this is an interesting concept. Never really given it much thought as to where those commercially purchased seeds come from. That being said, a source for naturally produced seeds is most welcomed. I will be sure to give them a try next sprin!

    Reply to Hal Jordan's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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