Comments regarding J.L. Hudson, Seedsman

Posted on July 7, 2012, updated March 17, 2013
Posted on May 5, 2012, updated July 7, 2012
Posted on April 30, 2012, updated May 5, 2012
Posted on March 9, 2012, updated April 30, 2012
Posted on March 9, 2012, updated March 9, 2012
Posted on March 6, 2012, updated March 9, 2012
Posted on February 29, 2012, updated March 6, 2012
Posted on February 21, 2012, updated February 29, 2012
Posted on February 20, 2012, updated February 21, 2012
I recently had the pleasure of doing business with JL Hudson after seeing them listed as a Watchdog 30 company. After reading a particular review, I was a bit uneasy contacting the company with some questions pertaining to Cladrastis but I needed the information prior to placing an order. I emailed them on a Saturday night (2/11) and received a courteous and thorough reply the following morning (on a Sunday, no less, and despite the fact that it is the busy season!).

I placed an order for 39 packages of seed on Monday and found the ordering process straightforward (they provide clear instructions on their site). Although JL Hudson is currently showing a 3 day backlog, my order was shipped out on Friday (I had assumed my order would be processed the following week due to the 3 day normal processing time + 3 day backlog listed on their site). The quick shipment is most appreciated - especially this time of year. By the way, I wish more companies would take JL Hudson's lead and display their backlogs - it makes scheduling so much easier.

In closing, I have found this company to be extremely responsive, quick, and communicative coupled with an extensive catalog of hard-to-find seed, low prices and even lower shipping fees ($2.50 for my entire order). I will update this review after I receive my order but given the history to date, I have no reason to anticipate any difficulties. Thank you to the folks at JL Hudson - a stellar job!

I have been buying seeds from J.L. Hudson for twenty years. In that time, they have offered many seeds which you could not find anywhere else. They offered some seeds of varieties that were never carried elsewhere because they might have specific, more difficult germination requirements. Kudos to JLH for being willing to put them out there.

I have always had good germination results with the more common seeds and to my great excitement have managed with some of the more challenging. There is great information in their catalog about how to germinate the more difficult kinds.

This is a quality company a gem apart amidst the cookie cutter world of corporatism.

I can hardly blather on enough about how much I appreciate their efforts and can only hope that they continue on providing their fine services for the rest of my gardening life. My new seed order just arrived and I am off on another gardening adventure. Everything for my garden came from them except for a few things they don't carry. Plus, their prices are extremely reasonable.

Great service! I order from them every year and they are very conscientious to deal with. Interesting catalogs and a curious array of seeds not found in every big-box store. One of my favorite gardening companies!

Posted on March 22, 2007, updated December 11, 2012
Probably the most experienced seedspeople currently working in the US. JLH tests every lot of seed that comes through their facility and makes sure viable material is being sent out. Their Phalaris seed came up in 4 days--the fastest germinator I tested this year. The several complaints I see against this company at this venue appear to be attributable to the normal realities of seed planting--sometimes you get it right, and sometimes you don't--some seeds are easy, some are highly recalcitrant. I feel sorry for gardeners that get stuck in acrimonous diatribe about their failures. Surely they have been mistreated somewhere along the line, but projecting these difficulties onto well-meaning and dedicated seedspeople is inappropriate. Upset about something? Look to the garden as a salve, not a battleground--give the gentle seedspeople a break, plant a different seed, listen to the birds, and concentrate your attentions on all the things that did grow, and make them beautiful--you will have plenty to do, I expect, and get healthier and happier as you garden away your cares.

Posted on November 28, 2012, updated November 30, 2012
Posted on November 28, 2012, updated November 28, 2012
Posted on November 28, 2012, updated November 28, 2012
Sold me 1/10 of a gram of GA-3 costed $4 + $4.50 for shipping???? Must be a big 1/10th of a gram Will go to seller basinseed on ebay next time.
They brag about the cheap GA-3 they got from China and at the same time they brag about how their stuff is the best and their the first to sell it,

I always love doing business with this company.

I ordered some Scotch Bonnet seeds (my first online seed buying experience, period). The seeds arrived within a week. It's been 9 days now, most of the seeds germinated and are one inch tall now.

Very pleased with my results thus far.

Posted on April 30, 2012, updated September 19, 2012
I've ordered from J. L. Hudson several times over the last four years and have always been very satisfied with the seed and their service. If only all businesses were as well-run! The seeds do well, the catalog is very informative and the response time is quite reasonable. I hope to be buying seeds from them for many more years!

very good seeds!

Posted on February 21, 2012, updated July 20, 2012
Very professional. Acknowledged the order next business day. Fast turn around from order to shipping. Notified me when seeds were shipped. Quick delivery. Only time will tell on germination & growth!

It really has been a great experience to do business with J.L.Hudson. I wish every company would handle their businesses like they do. Decent shipping rates and outstanding communication. I will order again.
Beate Jaeger

I found this seller through the Garden Watchdog. J.L. Hudson carries a wide variety of seeds, gives generous amounts of seeds per packet, and asks for minimal shipping fees, so I gave them my business. I received prompt service: e-mailed and paid Wednesday morning, sent seeds Friday, and got them the mailbox by the following Monday.

You do have to keep track of the packets you want and also calculate the total price yourself. This can be an easier process if you use some sort of spreadsheet software to do the work.

Make sure to request a copy of their printed seed catalog for free with your order. It has their whole catalog in printed form and is worth the price of the postage and packing.

Posted on July 12, 2011, updated June 23, 2012
Long time catalogue peruser, first time customer. What was i waiting for? Wonderful selection of the ordinary and extraordinary, lots of helpful and interesting info. Great value, easy ordering process, quick delivery. Next to nothing for shipping. Thank you. I'll be back for more.

I have always had great experiences when ordering from J.L.Hudson. The order process is easy, particularly since I can order and pay the same afternoon using my Paypal account. Hudson seems to get some of the best varieties, and even some of the really rare stuff. And unlike too many online seed providers, Hudson's seeds are always fresh and viable. I could not ask for a better experience than J. L. Hudson seed orders. It is the number one seed source online.

I have been a happy customer of JL Hudson for 20+ years. The one time I had a question about how a plant was performing, he sent me a handwritten letter with helpful suggestions, followed by a free packet of seeds. One time my check bounced on an order because I had had to close the account suddenly (due to theft). They were very polite and sympathetic in working with me to get it straightened out.
Like one of the other reviewers, I like to sit down with a cup of coffee and go through their unique catalog. I do look at the other catalogs, too, but before I order from another company I always check the JL Hudson catalog to see if can order the same or similar seed from them because of their lower prices and exceptional customer service. Besides, I like what they do and would rather support them than some big corporation.

I like the variety of unusual seeds and the quality is outstanding. Germination rate is very good. I especially like their selection of flower seeds.

I have been buying from this company for many years, and am always very happy with them. They have unusual seeds that you can't find anywhere else, they ship quickly, their shipping is very reasonable, and they are a small business that communicates with their customers. On the rare occasions that there is an error in an order they immediately make it good. I highly recommend them.

I purchased Ramsons seeds from a GB seller this spring and was unable to have them germinated. Some reviews say that this plant is difficult to cultivate from seeds. Found the seeds in the J.L. Hudson list and decided to give it a try. The seeds have very high germination rate. Really happy. Also found some plants in their catalog I considered rare.

I have used this seed source for many years. I thoroughly enjoy reading the catalogs with a cup of tea. I always find interesting new plants to grow. I appreciate the very reasonable pricing and quick response to my orders. This is a really fun place to shop. Try it - you'll like it!

This company is really a gem! But if you're expecting it like your ordinary seed company, you may be disappointed (see Neutral reviews). However, their selection of some unusual plants and ease of shipping make it more than worthwhile. Sorry for the lady who had to use more than one step to order. Poor baby!

I have been ordering from this company for a number of years and am very impressed with their service, their prices and their very informative catalog-I use it as a reference for lots of things from correct pronunciation to hardiness information. They are not hard to order from: fill out order form, buy money order and mail. As well, the germination rate of the seeds is very high. If there was a star rating, I would give them 10 out of 10.If you are looking for flashy pictures and flowery descriptions, this is not the company for you but it is if you are looking for excellent service and seeds.

We are installing an apiary in the next few weeks and have done lots of "home work" on what bees thrive on. Some of what I was looking for could be found on other sites but I wanted to see if there was one site that had it all. Somewhere in Googledom, I found a link to JL Hudson and I could not believe their website! Retro! But you never judge a book by its cover and once I began to forage through their garden of seeds, I was smitten. They had everything I was looking for (and some I was NOT looking for)! Seeds came today and just as I expected, in nice small typewritten (looks just like their site) envelops with great attention to detail. Will be starting these seeds off this weekend and will post results. Thank you, JL Hudson. Now I am going out to tell 10 friends!

Plentiful in seed and cordiality. I look at the pictures in T&M then go shopping at JLHudson. Great prices- Support these Majestic sons'o bitches. Real nitty gritty individually owned buisness breakin' sweat. Delivery?... All the express none of the ponies-they put the horsepower in hot rod's & cold ones. Love'M

I have only been ordering from J L Hudson for a few years but I must agree with everyone else: the selection is wonderful, the service rapid, the seeds of high quality, and the prices low - so low that I hope they can stay in business. And my children love the catalogue, getting a feel for old tyme anarchism.

Posted on April 22, 2010, updated March 16, 2012
I have bought seeds here for many years now. Seeds have always been fresh and viable and the quantity received very generous for the low price paid. Read the catalog thoroughly, and you will find a refreshingly honest view of exotics vs. natives.

What a terrific source for seeds! Love the no-frills catalog. Exellent service and very fast shipping, even during the busy season. I'm a customer for life.

I've been ordering from JL Hudson since the '80s, and they have always been consistently wonderful.

Just an amazing catalog both online and print.
I'm glad to find some use for the Latin classes I took back in the day!
I can't see how they break even with the shipping fees they charge, not complaining just very appreciative dealing with a company who doesn't gouge you at the checkout.

I have been exuberantly ordering from J L Hudson Seedsman Catalog for countless number of years and it is one of the few that I am proud to share with my neighbors. The switch to using Paypal is another example of J L Hudson Seedsman's continuing search for excellence. I like the online for ordering and the catalog for sharing.
Orders at J L Hudson Seeds

Posted on August 11, 2011, updated February 8, 2012
I ordered a variety of interesting seeds from J.L.H. and they shipped my order quickly. There were detailed sowing instructions and a generous quantity of seeds in each packet. Reading the website is an education in itself, and includes some interesting and thought-provoking words about biodiversity and man's role in it. The information about GA-3 for seed germination is also a good read for anyone interested in propagation from seed.

I don't yet know about the germination rates on their seed, and I will update on that as I find out, but I expect good results considering their reputation.

I ordered seeds from J.L. Hudson Seedsman after reading their feedback and must say, they are a great company to deal with. They mailed the seeds (Fatsia Japonica) to me without delay. I had requested a catalog, however, assumed it would arrive with my seeds. I had also ordered catalogs for my mother and sister, who live in another state. My seed packet directions referred me to the catalog for sowing, so when I did not have the catalog, I sent an e-mail inquiring about this, and received the following reply!

Thanks very much! I learned something - when people request catalogs for others, always include a note in their order letting them know that they were sent!

The catalog arrived a few days later, has a wealth of information, and is a pleasure to have. They are definitely up front and courteous to their customers, and have maintained their ability to be personable throughout their many years or business. I will definitely order from them again!!

Another happy experience ordering from "J.L. Hudson, Seedsman".
Reasonable prices, an excellent list of seeds, and very fast service are once again characteristic of their service.
Thanks!

Posted on August 31, 2004, updated February 3, 2012
I absolutely love this company. What a great list of seeds. Never a problem, ever!

I have ordered for years and am always pleased. They have seeds that you won't see down at the big box. Be prepared to see things you never knew existed! I hope they never get a shopping cart system- stay small and focused and be unique. It also keeps the riff-raff from bugging you all the time! I will be back!

I found the transaction of ordering seeds to be quite satisfying. The instructions how to place a order was explained well. I even recieved an email notification when my order was shipped without even having to ask for one.

Have ordered for several years now. They have new toys for those of us too old for colorful plastic. The orders are always correct and they barely take any money for anything they do. And besides that you might as well get corn/tomatoes/okra/etc while you're ordering from them, they don't just do exotics. They like their jobs obviously. (I will slightly echo one thing someone said below, I did once suggest NZ Spinach should be marked "cook this, it's mildly poisonous raw." The guy wasn't angry, but he did say he'd never heard of that, he eats it all the time. I think he was full of manure. (Come to think of it the stuff that burned my mouth was from another seed company, maybe JLH has a breed with lower oxalic acid.) Anyway don't eat anything raw with high oxalic acid.)

Their catalog is a thing of wonder. "Produced without the use of computers!" As in typeset by hand. I think this shows dedication to doing things a certain way, and I greatly appreciate their philosophy and mission of preservation. Truly rare these days.

Service was prompt and friendly. My recent (internet) order was filled promptly and I had received it later that same week. The shipping cost is the most reasonable I've seen. Emails are answered promptly.

Their selection is very wide. I ordered mostly flowers and some vegetables, just due to the time of year it is now, but will be ordering more in the future. I've already started those from my order that don't require chilling and germination rates have been great. Overall, really delighted with these guys and will be ordering again soon once I have some more space for starts.

I have ordered seeds from J.L. Hudson twice now, and on both occasions the orders were filled correctly and promptly. I appreciate J.L. Hudson's extensive selection. It would be nice if the website were a little more user-friendly and included a bit more information on each plant, but even without those changes I am sure that I will order from J.L. Hudson again in the future.

I've been a long time costumer with J.L Hudson. They always have the most interesting plant seeds . I've never been dissatisfied. They always come through A++++++++.