Comments regarding Ferry-Morse Seed Company

Posted on May 11, 2010, updated May 11, 2010
I will never buy this brand of seed again, and do not recommend it to anyone. It is everywhere in stores, and I've planted dozens of packets over the years. The packets have pretty (but inaccurate) pictures, and Ferry-Morse probably stays in biz selling to inexperienced gardeners and ones who do not keep brand info. After reviewing my seed info, I finally figured out that they are the worst quality seed of any I have ever grown. Not just once, consistently, over the years, different species, ... Not just germination, but plant species quality--nearly weeds. If germination is good, the plants are of such poor quality that I end up destroying them. Or seeds are of a different variety than the pack said. I formerly thought this was my fault, but no, not when it happens every time (I plant at least 30 new-to-me species per year--and examined 3 years of records). I would not buy from them if I was a beginner, you'll only get discouraged. I would not buy their brand if I was experienced, resulting plants are very poor quality--some were so bad that I am now fighting them as weeds--got almost 100% germination on that lot...go figure. Buy any other brand, esp. in a store, they are all better...my records have proved this to me. Ferry-Morse needs to improve their quality, only their marketing and trusting buyers keep them afloat.

Bought squash and pumpkin seeds for our garden in the spring. Plants were healthy and growth rate very good. A good amount of flowers early on and continued throughout the year. But no veggies!! The only plant that is producing a single veggie is a gourd!!! -it was supposed to be a yellow squash!! The lot number for the squash is 2009 lot01 for season USA 12/09.

Thinking that it was my garden or some other issue, I started a second batch in July with different soil conditions. Still same problem. Loads of growth, flowers...no vegetable production. Something's wrong with this batch.

A neighbor friend of mine had the same probs with Ferry Morse products ( good growth, flowers and no veggies at all) At least I got a single gourd for my trouble.

We're both pretty disappointed and won't be using Ferry Morse again.

I still have seeds left over if anyone else wants to try. But I'm thinking something got botched. Next spring I'll be using anything but Ferry Morse.

I shop their seed at my local hardware store because of convenience. All have grown into healthy, producing vegetables despite fog problems we've been having lately. I even planted a slightly expired seed packet of crookneck squash and it too grew!

I am shocked to read all the negative comments re this company, Ferry Morse.
I planted Ferry Morse seeds almost exclusively when we lived up North and had excellent results.
Their Hybrid cucumbers were ALWAYS outstanding, I always planted two hills by the back patio, (I would stake them) and a few tomatoe plants also. What a set up we had. we also had a very large garden. BUT THOSE FERRY MORSE HYBRID CUKES WERE ABSOLUTELY THE BEST. Also used them for pickles, outstanding.!!!!!!!!!!

With the rising cost of food, we decided to plant a garden. Great idea, but our mistake was using ferry morse seeds. We planted beans, peas, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and watermelon. We have hardly any plants. Very few seeds germinated. Waste of time for this year. You can bet next year we won't be using ferry morse products.

I have purchased Ferry Morse seed both locally in stores and over the internet. All of my results have been excellent. I have seed from years past that is still germinating good. Although you may not get an extreme variety the majority of my plantings are the old stand bys anyway. And Ferry Morse prices can't be beat on those. I do purchase a few new varieties of some seed each year from other sources just to test if they live up to their reviews. And I pay dearly for those seeds. Ferry Morse seed is Guaranteed To Grow and their phone number is 800-626-3392 should you have any problems. The most reasonably priced site for their seed I have found is The Pumpkin Nook, garden seeds are $2.49 per order.

I will pick up packets of Ferry Morse seeds from seedracks from time to time. This is current distribution system. Never had a problem with mislabeled seeds or poor germination. They do not have as wide a selection as on-line companies, but no seedrack does. They do have a few outstanding cultivars that are not found elsewhere, or are hard to find elsewhere. Thier Sugar Dots corn is superb in its class.

We purchased Ferry-Morse several kinds of vegetable seeds. Also, we purchased Burpee seeds. When we planted them in our garden, Burpee seeds did great while Ferry-Morse took 3 times the time to rejuvenate and did not grow. I mean all Ferry-Morse seeds. When I called and I was told to buy a chemical which costs $12.00 and use it. What a stupid advice. I hope Ferry-Morse go out of business.

I like the variety of seed that this company offers. Even though I have plenty of seeds that I have harvested from my own garden over the years, I can't help picking up something from their rack.
I had grown one of their morning glories years ago and really loved it. I couldn't remember where I had gotten the seeds originally until I saw their packet of Scarlet O'hara.
It isn't what the other companies have for this variety. It is very vigorous and puts on a much nicer display.

My main garden interest is trying to grow tomatoes most of the year around. This is a real challenge in south Texas 90 deg. + weather. Most of the time I start my seed inside under a pair of fluorescent lamps with the AC set about 76 deg. I have tried a various of seed including Tropic,Cabernet, Greenhouse 656, Super Bush, etc. I have done a lot of just plain experimenting, such as starting seed both inside and outside under the shade of a tree. Outside, the seed were started in small pots on a large picnic table. After transplanting to the garden, the plants are shaded from direct sun by gunnysack material. The F/M Better Boy Hybrid has consistently been able to stand the heat better than any other tomato that I have tried. Daily watering is a must with fertilizing once a week. At this time (Aug.), my 11 plants are over two feet high and growing. I lost one plant to direct sun exposure. The seed started outside under the shade tree have done better than the ones started inside. It is just too much of a shock for the little plants to go from 76 deg. to 90 deg. plus temperature. I have a small greenhouse with raised beds for the winter plants. We will see what happens this winter !

I purchased a packet of seeds (Zinnia, Giant, Canary Bird) at Home Depot and for $1.79 plus tax got 8 seeds. No kidding. Is this a quality control issue or some extremely rare zinnia? The outside said 700 MG but what does that mean to me the average gardener.
No I can't take it back to the store for a refund, I've put them in starter pots already.
Not the end of the world but annoying.
I have emailed the company thru the Dave's Garden link. By the way when you go their company site their own email link isn't working.

"

Dear denisedelong,
At FERRY-MORSE SEED COMPANY, we strive to make all our products, people, and operations perfect for you - the home gardener. We only use seeds with germination rates higher than required by the USDA, and our quality-trained personnel fill packets with these seeds on high-speed machines built especially for our industry.
I do apologize that you received a packet that was obviously underfilled. Sometimes we do make mistakes among the tens of millions of seed packets we fill each spring; however, we've not been able to continue business now for 150-years by avoiding problems an error on our part creates for you or any other home gardener.
We always listen to any unpleasant experience that may occur (sorry, we're still not perfect even though we try); and, in any rare cases of underfilled packets, we always promptly send a replacement packet of the same variety directly to the customer's home.
Please email me with the exact variety you purchased, and with your mailing address so that I can have a fresh packet sent to you immediately. If it is too late for you to plant the seed this season, simply keep the packet in your home in a cool, dry place until next spring...the seed will still be just as viable 10-months from now.
Again, denisedelong, I apologize for this inconvenience for you; and, I sincerely hope the replacement packet will at least in some small way help to rectify this error on our part.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please note that you can always reach us at 1-800-283-3400 and at ferry-morse.com should you ever need us again.
Mike Tate.
Mktg Mgr.
FERRY-MORSE SEED COMPANY.
601 Stephen Beale Drive.
Fulton KY 42041."

These are the old reliable seeds planted by our Grand Parents before high-speed internet surfing was in vogue. Their first price list, printed in 1856, preceded the U. S. Department of Agriculture by almost 30 years. They have stayed in business by selling viable seed. Gardeners rely on the seed they plant. They expect it to germinate and grow into the blooming or productive plants. Ferry-Morse guarantees their seed to grow. Red Rock Nursery offers free shipping on their Ferry-Morse seed.

They're ok, but you find their seeds are pretty common and can be purchased elsewhere. Shipping charge is pretty steep even for the smallest order, under $20.00. Order some grass seed from them, but asked them to let me know if the items were in stock. No one took the time to answer my question, but they didn't charge me either. Bad thing is they do not have a telephone number for customer service if you need to talk to someone.

I have used there seeds for several years even before I really started growing allot of things from seeds and have always had good germination with them. They don't have allot of unusal things but all the seeds a new gardener would want to try.

I have ordered in the past, not much variety to choose from.
Seeds did okay.

I have had good germination with their seeds. They have a fairly basic assortment of perennials - not the best for variety.

I recently moved and called to request a current catalog. I was told that they no longer did catalog sales to home gardeners. Too bad.

We had a dry summer and quite a few seeds from Ferry Morse died as sprouts or didn't even sprout. I e-mailed Ferry-Morse and they sent replacements for next year.

I would like to say I have been very satisfied with this company. All of my seeds have grown up to big beautiful plants. Both ornamental and agricultural seeds thrived.

They are a wonderful company! All the seeds that I've ordered from them have thrived in my garden! And their shipping charges are great, too!