Question: Are there certain seeds from my grocery store produce that I SHOULDN’T try to propagate? – Heather C.

Answer: Wow! Thank you for bringing up such an important topic!

When it comes to seeds, I always recommend purchasing them from a trusted seed supplier. Let’s use garlic as an example since it’s a popular crop people often try to grow from grocery store varieties.

1. Pathogens
Store-bought food is treated to ensure it’s safe for human consumption, but that doesn’t mean it’s free from pathogens that could harm your garden. For instance, grocery store garlic could carry pathogens that are harmless to humans but dangerous to plants, particularly those in the same family. If you plant contaminated garlic, it could spread diseases to your other alliums or beyond.

2. Climate Suitability
The varieties you find in stores may not be suitable for your local climate. Most grocery store garlic is the soft-neck variety, which thrives in warmer regions. If you live in a colder climate, you’ll likely end up with a disappointing harvest because soft-neck garlic doesn’t perform well in winter conditions.

3. Nutrition
Grocery store produce is often bred for traits like uniformity and shelf life rather than nutrient density. Soft-neck garlic, for example, contains less allicin and other beneficial compounds compared to hard-neck varieties. If nutrition is a priority, a seed supplier can provide you with options bred specifically for health benefits.

4. Flavor
This applies beyond garlic, but it’s a great example. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Brussels sprouts developed a bad reputation because growers prioritized yield over taste. High-yielding varieties contained more sulfur, leading to their infamous bitterness. Once this was discovered, breeders began crossing heirloom varieties with high-yield types to improve flavor.

Grocery store produce often lacks flavor not only because it travels long distances but also because it’s bred for uniformity and storage, not taste. Studies even suggest a correlation between nutrient density and flavor, so if you’re putting in the effort to grow your own garden, why not go for the best?

Additionally, some store-bought produce is treated to render its seeds nonviable, so you may not even get a successful crop.

Ultimately, seeds are quite affordable—you can get a packet of hundreds for just a few dollars. In the case of garlic, you can invest in seed garlic once and then save some bulbs for future plantings.

Hope that helps, Heather!