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Comparing Treated, Untreated, & Organic Vegetable Seeds

What are the differences between treated, untreated, and organic seed?
Does Main Street Seed and Supply sell genetically modified (GMO) seeds?


What are the differences between treated, untreated, and organic seed?

Treated Seed has been treated in an appropriate manner to protect it from specific seed- or soil-borne pathogens and thus improve its performance. The treatment may be hot water, chemical, or biological, depending on the pathogen involved. Treatment is applied under controlled conditions, in a commonly recognized fashion, at the manufacturer’s recommended rate. Some disease problems cannot be treated by any known seed treatments, and some plant species do not have disease problems that would necessitate seed treatment. These seeds are offered in clean, untreated condition.

Untreated Seed is clean and has not been treated using any chemical, biological, or physical method. They should only be planted when soil conditions are ideal and quick germination can be realized to establish a successful field population. Seed crop was not grown under Certified Organic Conditions. Certified Organic Growers: Untreated seed is allowed in Certified Organic production, provided that a comparable variety is not available in Certified Organic seed. Check with your certifying agency for approval.


Organic Seed is clean and untreated, and it was grown under Certified Organic conditions. Allowed for use in Certified Organic production.


Does Main Street Seed and Supply sell genetically modified (GMO) seeds?

Main Street Seed and Supply does NOT sell any genetically modified (GMO) seeds.