FAQs

Does Amkha Seed sell GMO seeds?

No. We will NEVER knowingly sell any genetically modified seeds, and take great measures to prevent any GMO contamination. Amkha Seed has signed the Safe Seed Pledge, and strictly adheres to it's principles. Guaranteed.

Does Amkha Seed sell hybrid seeds?

No (and yes). With the exception of some breeding stock we offer, which will be stated on the product page, everything is open-pollinated (many are heirloom). That is to say that any self-pollinating varieties that we offer (with noted exceptions) will produce seeds that are true to type.

What is the difference between hybrid seed and GMO seed?

Hybrid seeds are created by crossing two closely related organisms, usually in the same genus, to create a new 'hybrid' containing genes from both parents. This is the process that has been used since the beginning of agriculture to develop new, more productive varieties. In fact, the heirloom varieties we know and love started out as hybrids. Hybridization, in horticulture, involves artificial selecting genes, but within the bounds of nature.

To be clear, we don't have any problem with hybrids at all, as it happens our breeding program is currently nothing but hybrids. And hybrids offer fun, interesting, and often commercially viable new varieties all the time. However, because F1 hybrids will not produce true seed, unless that is the intent (breeding), than the results from saving seeds will likely be disappointing. In addition, many hybrid varieties are legally protected from unauthorized propagation, so they cannot be propagated by other means either (cloning). So we don’t sell them, except for breeding stock. After all, the reason the heirlooms and open-pollinated varieties are as such, is because their genes were valuable or successful enough to be preserved for this long.

GMO seeds on the other hand are an entirely different animal (sometimes literally). Unlike hybridizing and selecting beneficial genes over time, GMOs actually insert genes from totally unrelated organisms or otherwise alter the genes to achieve some desired outcome. The majority of GMOs used in agriculture are modified to be resistant to chemical herbicides or pesticides, making mass production more feasible. They can just spray chemicals on their crops without damage, sit back, and relax. However, these freaks of nature hold untold dangers. We won’t detail all them here, but to summarize, GMO’s threaten genetic diversity and by extension our long term food supply (not to mention their unknown health effects). Again, will NEVER knowingly sell GMOs.

What are "heirloom" seeds?

Simply put, and heirloom variety is an open pollinated stabilized cross In other words, years ago a cross was made that produced a valuable crop. After years of selecting for desired traits from this new original cross, the seeds are typically then passed down from one generation to another. This stabilized cross, having remained important enough to be preserved, is typically classified as an “heirloom variety”. So an heirloom variety is nothing more than an open pollinated variety that had enough significance to be preserved. Which makes for a lot of grey area in classification. There are many varieties that are considered heirloom by some, and not by others. Though not all “open pollinated” seeds are “heirloom”, we often use “open pollinated” to describe many heirloom types in order to increase accuracy and transparency.

How long do orders take to ship?

We always strive to get orders out quickly. Unless otherwise specified, orders generally leave our facility within 2-4 business days after the order is placed, and take an additional 2-4 business days via USPS First Class Package with tracking. In total, most orders can be expected to arrive within 5-7 business days after being placed (with some exceptions). In some cases, such as extremely cold weather or some very cold sensitive seeds, we may delay orders until temperatures are no longer a concern. But generally speaking, we will ship orders shortly after they are received unless otherwise instructed. We do this to accommodate our indoors growers. If for any reason we expect an order to be delayed, we will inform you of the delay and an expected shipping date. If unsuitable conditions are expected to exist at the delivery location (an outdoor mailbox in sub-zero temperature while your on vacation), please request for delayed shipping in the notes section of your order. The customer is expected to accommodate the delivery to prevent damage due to weather.

Why won’t you ship some seeds to my state?

We would love to, but we can’t. They are restricted by either the state or federal department of agriculture. Usually, there is a good reason for this. Some plants can become invasive in certain areas due to their ability to thrive in specific conditions, creating problems for native species. In some cases, restrictions are used to protect local agricultural industries.  Either way, we cannot ship prohibited seeds. Feel free to contact us with further questions.

Do you ship outside of the United States?

We do not currently ship outside of the US, but will begin shipping to select international locations in 2019.

Are your seeds organic?

We spend a great deal of time and energy ensuring that our seeds are not only of the highest quality, but also produced using natural and sustainable production methods whenever possible. We never use chemicals, nor do we approve of their use. Our model is entirely based on principles of responsible stewardship. However, we are working on, but are not yet certified organic.

Do you guarantee your seeds?

Yes. All of our seeds come with a 30 day guarantee. If you have a problem with any seeds we sell, you can return them within 30 days for a replacement or a refund of the purchase price. After 30 days, we’re still here to help. Let us know what’s going on. Often we can offer some assistance, or if we find out something is our fault, we will always work to make it right. As is standard in the seed industry, the extent we can be held liable is limited to a replacement, or a refund of the purchase price. Click here for more information.

Where do your seeds come from?

Aside from a few selected varieties and some breeding stock that we supply, our seeds are sourced from a large and diverse network of trusted and respected growers and suppliers. We spend significant time and resources seeking out the most qualified providers for each type of seed that we offer, and trial on-site nearly everything. We seek out the specialists in each of their fields (no pun intended), and are able to provide the highest quality seeds for each specific variety that we offer.

Of suppliers meeting our criteria, we only work with those as passionate about their seeds and creating sustainable systems as we are. These partnerships allow us to work toward achieving common goals, and cultivate trust and transparency. Our shared obsession with seed quality is driven by a responsibility to our customers that trust us, and our larger mission to spread agricultural awareness. We will never compromise on quality, and take a great deal of pride in our seeds and the work that we’re doing.

How long can seeds be stored?

It depends on the seed. Some seeds can be stored for decades (even centuries by some accounts), while some last little more than one season. There are still many aspects of seed biology that affect storage that is still not well understood by science. The sheer number of plant species, all with varying seed characteristics and germination requirements, is astounding. In addition, other factors such as genetics and even seasonal or geographical differences can complicate matters further for researchers. What we do know is that environmental conditions greatly affect viability in storage. All seeds lose viability as they age. It’s just a matter of slowing the rate and which they lose it as much as possible. Click here for more details.

Where should seeds be stored?

Properly packaged and stored in a dry, cool environment (about 40F), most seeds will store for many years and maintain a reasonable germination rate. All of our seeds are kept in a climate controlled environment, but your home refrigerator can work well for most seeds if properly packaged. Do not freeze your seeds! Yes, extremely cold temperatures are sometimes used to preserve some seeds for extended periods, however they must be very carefully prepared (usually in a lab) before freezing to ensure they are not damaged in the process. So, please don’t freeze your seeds (unless you have a lab and cryogenic equipment).

How can I request a catalog?

You can’t. Sorry. Early on, after much debate, we decided not to create a print catalog for Amkha Seed. Why? First, it’s wasteful. Any avid gardener knows because of the stack of seed catalogs they’ve collected. In addition, we find them inefficient and time consuming to shop from. Searching through pages to find items to compare, has become just a few mouse clicks. But the primary reason we don’t offer a print catalog is because we pride ourselves on our diverse and ever changing selection. Print catalogs are static, and cannot be changed or updated easily. As a result, these product lines rarely change very much. We value the flexibility, consistency, and capabilities an online only catalog provides. We hope you do too.

What are stratification and scarification?

Stratification and scarification are seed pre-treatment methods to aid germination. Some seeds that we offer require treatment in order to germinate.

Stratification replicates natural temperature fluctuations that signal to the seed that it’s time to germinate. This serves a valuable purpose in nature to prevent germination until the conditions are suitable, but also means that certain steps must be taken for successful germination.

Scarification replicates natural processes that break down the seed coat to allow for water to be absorbed (stomach acid of a bird for example). If you don’t have bird stomach acid around, there are other ways to achieve this. Nicking, sanding, hot water, and acid treatments can also do the trick, but require a little extra work.

Some seeds we offer REQUIRE stratification and/or scarification. If so, this will be displayed on the product page under the ‘germination’ heading. Without proper treatment, these seeds will most likely not germinate or will perform poorly. Please do not purchase seeds with pre-treatment requirements unless you are ready to provide the proper conditions for germination.

Always feel free to contact us with any questions!