What month do you usually start buying seeds for the spring? I want to buy early so things aren't sold out but not too early so I don't get last years seeds.

Thanks.

November / December / january. You can always ask the seller. All reputable seed suppliers that I deal with stamp at the very least a "packed for (year)" date statement on the packet.

As you get into more professional dealers, they list a date AND germination test results, among other things.

Thank you! Great information.

I do the same as Ken about ordering time, I try to get my orders in by the end of December. Even if I get seeds labeled for 2023 that I'll use next spring, they always germinate the same for me, seeds don't go bad in a year. I keep them in a sealed plastic bag though in the crisper bin of my fridge.

@robinz
As Nancy said, seeds are fairly resilent in storage (generally,) and those you don't get planted this year, save in a cool, dark, dry place.
This spring I had great germination from 12-year -old tomato seeds.

(Insert the sound of Ken dragging out the soapbox....)

I can't stress enough to find reputable sources for your seed. Those sources comply with the U.S.D.A. seed laws in the U.S., (namely Federal Seed Act (FSA) and its related regulations.) While you may pay more for your seeds than that person on Esty or Ebay, those companies complying with import regulations and the FSA seed labeling laws are actually protecting all gardeners. Not only do I assume my seeds will grow true to name, I assume they are fresh, were stored well and packaged correctly before I purchased them.

Federal Seed Act said:
The FSA is a truth-in-labeling-law that regulates agricultural and vegetable seed shipped in interstate commerce. It requires that seed shipments between States are labeled with certain quality information necessary for seed buyers to make informed choices.

Primary labeling requirements of the FSA include seed purity percentage, germination percentage, number of noxious weed seeds per pound, chemical seed treatment (if present), kind and varietal identification, and the name and address of the interstate shipper.

Online sellers (etsy, ebay, amazon, etc.) don't police themselves well and the online platforms don't seem to care much either.
I don't want grapefruit seeds that were cleaned in a mouth at a breakfast table and then spit into the envelope they sent to me....


Who is with me?
I'll thank the reputable seed companies with my orders from them and my referrals to them.

Wholeheartedly agree with Ken about buying only from reputable seed companies. Stay away from Amazon, eBay, etsy and the like... you really can't be sure of what you're getting.

Select Seeds is one of my favorites to order from, and very reasonable prices. I've always been happy with seeds from Park Seed and Burpee as well. I actually think there's a list in the Seed forum with reputable names where members have ordered from.

100% agreed stay away from ebay amazon etc!