Petaluma Seed Bank

Preorder your 2025 Whole Seed catalog here -->
https://www.rareseeds.com/2025-the-whole-seed-catalog

Deep Look | The Amazing Life of Sand | Season 1 | Episode 2 | PBS There's a story in every grain of sand.

Happy Independence Day!

We are open today regular hours, 10am - 4pm.

July is prime time to start your fall garden seeds - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kales, and most especially Brussels sprouts.

What do you have in your garden for the hummingbirds?

Deep Look | What Happens When You Put a Hummingbird in a Wind Tunnel? | Season 1 | Episode 12 | PBS Scientists have used a high-speed camera to film hummingbirds' aerial acrobatics.

We are open regular hours on Thursday July 4, 10am - 4pm.

Now is the time to plan your fall garden!

The Annual Where's Waldo starts tomorrow, and we are happy to participate again. Stop by Copperfield's to get your Waldo bingo card, then start searching.

Best of luck, everyone!

Wings of the East: Exploring Butterfly Life Histories | Bug Banter Podcast Continuing with our series on butterflies, we are highlighting the butterflies east of the Rockies, which is a huge area and encompasses so many different environments — prairies in the Great Plains and the Midwest; forests of New England and the Southeast; mountains of the Appalachians; the wetla...

Strawberry Spinach is a remarkable plant native to the moist mountain valleys of North America, now reclaiming its place in our gardens. This plant also thrived in Europe as far back as the 1600s. With its arrow-shaped leaves, it’s closely related to spinach and offers a similar flavor and nutritional profile.

What’s truly exciting about Strawberry Spinach are its small, bright red berries. Allow them to ripen to a very deep crimson, and you’ll enjoy a juicy, sweet flavor reminiscent of watermelon and berries—ideal for snacking or adding to desserts.

Keep in mind, like its spinach cousin, the leaves are high in oxalates, so those with sensitivities should be mindful. The delicious berries contain small seeds that, in large quantities, might have some toxic effects, but they’re completely safe when enjoyed in moderation.

Strawberry Spinach is incredibly easy to grow and adaptable, flourishing much like its wild relative, lambsquarter. The seeds for this specific variety were discovered in a European monastery garden, connecting us to a rich historical heritage. Plus, the leaves are an excellent source of vitamins C and A. Embrace this heritage plant and give it a place in your garden today!

The Vendor Hall is filling up fast and Exhibitors are getting their products ready but there is still time to join us. If you are interested in vending, exhibiting or coming as a volunteer, you can reach out to us here or via email at [email protected] and we will be happy to get back to you with more information.

Pest that New Yorkers were told to kill on sight found in Calif. for first time The eggs were found on a large art installation headed to the Bay Area from New York, where spotted lanternflies have already been a problem.

We’re not offering Kabocha Squash seeds this year
So thought we’d offer those who love them a plant instead!

$4 each

This are tender indoor grown & will need protection until they acclimatize

Hoping to have Pumpkins, like the Big Max, for Halloween?
Plant them now!

We are back on regular opening hours...

Sunday - Thursday 10am - 4pm
Closed Friday & Saturday

Here in Sonoma County there's still time to plant Melons, like the Crane Melon, a local Petaluma Heirloom, for Labor Day!

Today is Nasturtium Day!

As well as being pretty, Leaves, flowers, pods, & seeds are edible.
They have a spicy, peppery taste,
Making then a great ingredient for Pesto (as pictured)
Add flowers to salads for a colorful addition, or pickle the seeds for an alternate to capers

Look out for our complimentary pack of Nasturtium Recipe cards

During the celebration we’ve an In-store only offer of $2/pack
(Petaluma In-store purchase only, No shipping, offer not available at Rareseeds.com)

Spring Hours 11am - 4pm Sunday - Wednesday

Hope to see you tomorrow, Sunday (June 2nd) when we will be celebrating Nasturtiums!

Easily used as am inexpensive ground cover that reseeds season after season, & produces flowers from early spring all the way to fall
They also attract helpful pollinators like bees, butterflies, hoverflies (that feed on pests) and nectar-eating birds

During the celebration we’ve an In-store only offer of $2/pack
(Petaluma In-store purchase only, No shipping, offer not available at Rareseeds.com)

Spring Hours 11am - 4pm Sunday - Wednesday

This Sunday June 2nd we're celebrating Nasturtiums!

As companion plants they can draw pests, including cabbage white butterflies, away from vegetable plants like tomato, squash, turnips, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini & brassicas

During the celebration we’ve an In-store only offer of $2/pack
(Petaluma In-store purchase only, No shipping, offer not available at Rareseeds.com)

Spring Hours 11am - 4pm Sunday - Wednesday

This Sunday June 2nd we're celebrating Nasturtiums!

A versatile beautiful flower which is easy to grow, flowers nearly all year long, attracts pollinators, & has edible flowers & leaves!

Plus it’s Ellyn’s Favorite flower!!

During the celebration we’ve an In-store only offer of $2/pack
(Petaluma In-store purchase only, No shipping, offer not available at Rareseeds.com)

Spring Hours 11am-4pm Sunday - Wednesday

We hope you will join us as we remember those who
courageously gave their lives this Memorial Day

We will be open 11am-4pm

Photo Chad Madden Unsplash

Looking for an unusual vine for the garden?
Thomas Jefferson called the SNAIL VINE “the most beautiful bean in the world
The uniquely shaped fragrant flowers resemble small snails, and have a scent reminiscent of hyacinths.
A vining tender perennial that will flower all summer long!

Spring Hours Sunday-Wednesday 11am-4pm through to June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

Pictured Varieties Back in Stock!!!

Spring Hours ongoing through June 4th
Sunday - Wednesday 11am-4pm
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

Grow GROUND CHERRYS NEW HANOVER or AUNT MOLLY'S for a tropical garden snack or summer dessert
The fruits of New Hanover: are sweet, fruity, and addictive. It can be hard to save seeds from these because you’ll want to eat every one!
Aunt Molly’s fruit are very sweet with a nice hint of tartness that drops to the ground when fully ripe. High pectin content makes this one an excellent choice for pies and preserves.
Both are great dipped in a little melted chocolate!
Spring Hours Sunday-Wednesday 11am-4pm through to June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

For an unusual addition to your summer salads
We suggest MEXICAN SOUR GHERKIN
These small, high yielding, baby watermelons shaped, cucumber-like fruit, have a cucumber-like taste with a touch of lemon. The ornamental vines have tiny leaves and flowers, perfect for the cottage garden.

Spring Hours Sunday-Wednesday 11am-4pm through to June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

Add greens AND edible flowers to your garden this summer with BIG LEAF TONG HO
Traditionally known as “Chop Suey Greens”. The leaves on younger plants are huge, but will be smaller once the plant sends up the tall flower stalks, both are equally tasty.
Plus as a bonus the flowers are a gourmet delicacy. Try them lightly fried tempura style, sprinkled atop salads or steeped into the famous Chrysanthemum tea.

Spring Hours Sunday-Wednesday 11am-4pm through to June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

Looking for something a little bit more unusual to grow this summer?
May we suggest TANKURO EDAMAME?
A premium soybean from Japan, highly regarded for its sweet flavor and vigorous growth habit. It is perfect for edamame, or if allowed to mature gives Soya Beans that are deep black

Spring Hours Sunday-Wednesday 11am-4pm through to June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

When choosing greens for summer planting- look for our display of Heat Tolerant Varieties at the back of the store.

Spring Hours Sunday - Wednesday 11am - 4pm through to June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri Sat

Last of the Seed Potatoes, including Bodega Reds, & Spring bulbs
Now 50% off
Spring Hours Sunday-Wednesday 11am -4pm
until June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri Sat

Best Mother's Day Wishes for today!
We are open today 11am-4pm
Bring Mom by to select her favorite flower seed!

Spring Hours till June 4th Sunday - Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

Don't forget to also sow Flowers & Herbs - Direct sow Basil, Celosia, Cosmos, Dahlias (seed or tubers), Love-in-a-mist, Marigolds, Petunia, Salvia, Sunflowers, Spring Bulbs, Zinnias & more now!

Spring Hours are still Sunday - Wednesday 11am-4pm until June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat

This month in Sonoma County the following Veg seeds
can be direct sown into soil -
Beans, Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Corn, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Squash, Melons, Pumpkins, Potatoes, Leeks, Onions, Dill, & Cilantro

Spring Hours are still Sunday - Wednesday 11am-4pm until June 4th
Closed Thurs Fri & Sat