How to Request Seed

HOW TO REQUEST SEEDS
We are now able to accept on-line requests with payment through PayPal. Online Requests.

To request seeds, books, or supplies from the portions of the catalog that are posted on this website, please read the following, fill out the Request Form, print out your request, and mail it to us with a money order or check. If you don't want to bother with the request form, just print out a list of what you want with your name and address and mail it to us with your check. Almost as fast as on-line requesting!

NOTE: Large checks from new customers may be held until they clear, especially if there are certain indications which we have found signal possible problems, such as no printed name and address, etc. We will notify you if we are going to hold your request. For fast service, new customers should use a money order.

WE WELCOME CUSTOMERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES - PLEASE SEE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS BELOW:
Canadian Customers
Outside the U.S. & Canada.

How Long Will My Seeds Take to Arrive?
Figure up to a week for us to get your letter (the mails are usually faster - about 2 days, but sometimes are slow - up to two weeks in rare cases!), or if requesting online and paying by PayPal, figure three days turnaround time for us to get your e-mail, verify your payment and address, and process your request for shipment, PLUS up to another week (usually 2 - 3 days) or so for the Postal Service to deliver the package to you (longer outside the US). Sometimes there are January-April busy season backlogs. Current backlog status - none.

1. Computer Users: Please put your name and address in the upper left, leave upper right blank.
2. List the seeds you want, giving the full botanical name and Code-Number, quantity, and price of each kind (example: Achillea Millefolium Colorado ACH-20C, 3 packets @ $2.50 = $7.50). For vegetable seeds, give the kind and variety, Code-Number, quantity, and price (example: Turnip, Seven Top, 1 Oz $5.00). Be sure to tell the number of packets or quantity you want, and the price.
3. Add postage from the table for the total number of packets requested, plus postage for the total weight of any bulk seed, plants or books requested. If you wish insurance, add $2.25 for up to $100.00. Over $100.00, we insure at no additional charge.
4. California customers add Sales Tax (8.25% outside San Mateo County, inside San Mateo County 9.25%). No tax on vegetable or food seeds, or postage. Click here to learn about Sales Tax.
5. Pay the total by Money Order, Check (payable to J. L. Hudson, Seedsman), currency or stamps (in place of coin), Credit Cards through PayPal only - Online Requesting. No C.O.D. requests.
6. Be sure to check the Out of Stock list. State on your request whether you want credit, refund or substitutes for any items that are out of stock on your request in case something sells out before we receive it. We cannot backorder. If you want us to substitute, please give a second choice list or note area of interest. State on your request that you do not have the print catalog, and we will send one.
7. Be sure to read our terms of business before sending your request.

REMEMBER:
REQUEST EARLY- Requests usually filled in 72 hours. During the January to April busy season, requests may occasionally be delayed a few days. Always keep in mind that the Post Office can take up to a week to deliver First Class Mail, so allow a week for your request to reach us, and a week for the seeds to reach you after we have filled the request. Therefore, it's always a good idea to allow all mail order companies a full month before you write inquiring about your request.
Keep a copy of your request to check against the goods received.
If you request over $5.00 in a year, you will be sent the next year's catalog. If you request over $10.00, you will be sent the catalog and supplements next year.
We do not buy or sell mailing lists; your business with us is held in confidence. See our Privacy Policy for exceptions and details.
Making a request constitutes acceptance of our non-warranty and all terms of business.

TERMS OF BUSINESS
We strive to distribute only the finest quality seed, correctly identified, and of high germination and vigor, and strive to publish the most accurate, detailed and informative catalog anywhere. The satisfaction of the customer is always our aim, and any complaints are given our full attention. If there is any problem with your request, please let us know.

Our good reputation is your best warranty.

Corporate 'consumer' seed companies do not offer difficult to germinate seeds; their money-back guarantees limit them to easily grown seeds. As is common with seedsmen who distribute a wide variety of sometimes difficult seeds to professional growers, we adhere to the old tradition of the non-warranty:

We give no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the description, quality, productiveness, or any other matter of any seeds we sell, and we will not in anyway be responsible for the crop. Our liability, whether contractual or otherwise, is limited to the purchase price of the seeds under all circumstances.

We make no claims as to the medicinal or edible properties of any plants. All seeds are sold for planting purposes only.

That said, remember that some seeds are difficult and require exacting conditions or prolonged periods to germinate, so have patience, take care in providing correct conditions, experiment, and let us know if you have problems with any seeds.

If there is any problem, we want to be the first to know.

Large requests from new customers may be held until your check clears.

PRICES AND PACKET SIZES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

IMPORTANT TERMS OF BUSINESS
In order to protect the Public Domain status of our seeds, as of June 1st, 2000, all seeds are supplied solely under the following conditions: We expressly prohibit the use of any seeds or plants supplied by us, or their progeny, in any form of genetic engineering, breeding, or research which will result in any form of life patent, variety protection, breeder's rights or any form of intellectual property applied to living things which would compromise the Public Domain status of the seeds, plants, their progeny and any genetic material therein. We expressly prohibit the transfer to any third party of any seeds, plants, their progeny or any portion of their genetic material without these prohibitions in place.

INSURANCE: We insure all parcels mailed to U.S. addresses over $100.00 value, unless you request no insurance. Insured parcels must be signed for—if this is not convenient for you, specify "No Insurance" (at your own risk).

POSTAGE AND PACKING
Please add the correct amount to your request from the following table. Seeds are shipped via First Class or Priority Mail.

POSTAGE ON SEED PACKETS TO THE US, CANADA, AND MEXICO:
COUNT cactus & other seed sold by count as one packet unless noted.

NUMBER OF PACKETS REQUESTED:	TOTAL POSTAGE:
1 - 20 packets ..................	$1.50
21 - 40 packets ................	$2.00
41 - 60 packets ................	$2.50
61 - 80 packets ................	$3.00
81 -100 packets ................	$3.50
101 -150 packets ..............	$4.00
150 packets and up ..........	$5.00

POSTAGE ON PACKETS OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA: Triple above amounts. We refund or credit any excess paid.

POSTAGE AND PACKING ON TUBERS: When tubers are sold individually, count each tuber as one packet when figuring postage and packing. When tubers are sold by weight, figure like bulk seed.

POSTAGE ON BULK SEED to the US, CANADA, and MEXICO: If ounces are requested along with packets, add 25c per ounce, If requested alone, add $1.50 for the first Ounce, 25c each additional ounce. This is for First Class Mail. OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA triple the above amounts.

PRIORITY MAIL POSTAGE ON POUNDS to the US: One pound: $5.50, each additional pound: $4.00. Or you may round seed weight up to next pound and call the Post Office for the rate, or go to http://postcalc.usps.gov for rate to your zone and add $1.00 for packing.

CANADA:
FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE ON POUNDS to CANADA: One pound: $6.50, each additional pound: $4.00. Or you may round seed weight up to next pound and go to http://postcalc.usps.gov for rate to Canada and add $1.00 for packing.

MEXICO:
FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE ON POUNDS to MEXICO: One pound: $10.50, each additional pound: $6.00. Or you may round seed weight up to next pound and go to http://postcalc.usps.gov for rate to México and add $1.00 for packing. IF YOU WANT A TRACKING NUMBER AND ADDITIONAL SECURITY, ADD $12.00 FOR REGISTERED MAIL.

EUROPE, JAPAN, CHINA, AUSTRALIA:
FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE ON POUNDS: One pound: $13.00, two pounds: $20.00, three pounds $27.00. Or you may round seed weight up to next pound and go to http://postcalc.usps.gov for rate to your country and add $1.00 for packing. IF YOU WANT A TRACKING NUMBER AND ADDITIONAL SECURITY, ADD $12.00 FOR REGISTERED MAIL.

SOUTH AMERICA, CARRIBEAN, AFRICA, SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA, NEW ZEALAND:
FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE ON POUNDS: One pound: $13.00, two pounds: $20.00, three pounds $25.00. Or you may round seed weight up to next pound and go to http://postcalc.usps.gov for rate to your country and add $1.00 for packing. IF YOU WANT A TRACKING NUMBER AND ADDITIONAL SECURITY, ADD $12.00 FOR REGISTERED MAIL.

MEDIA MAIL POSTAGE ON BOOKS (Mailed to the USA only): First pound $2.50, each additional pound 40c. Under 6 Oz: $2.00. Round weights up.

BOOKS TO CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE THE US: Postage for books to
Canada and México: use the rate for Priority Mail postage as for pounds above.
Other Countries: check http://ircalc.usps.gov for the various rates and classes of mail. Note: Insurance is available only for some classes of mail.

METRIC CONVERSION for postage only (approximate):
1 ounce = 28 grams
1 pound = 454 grams

Either total the amount of bulk seed you order in metric units, and divide by 28 for ounces, or 454 for pounds, then figure postage from there, or figure:

1 gram counts as 1 packet
5 grams count as 1/4 ounce
10 grams count as 1/2 ounce
25 grams count as 1 ounce
50 grams count as 2 ounces
100 grams count as 4 ounces or 1/4 pound
500 grams count as 1 pound
1000 grams (1 kilo) counts as 2.2 pounds

TO OUR CLIENTS

This will be the 37th year Ms. Calkins and I have been distributing seeds, and the 100th year since the founding of the firm by Harry E. Saier.

This year there are 286 new seed listings, including 39 new vegetables, and many new bulk seed listings.

Yes, this is the 100th year of the firm—1911 was the first year, so 2010 is the 100th. Next year, if we are still operating, I'll issue the 100th Anniversary Edition, and will do something special to commemorate the occasion. So if you want to be sure to receive it, be sure to either place an order during 2010, or request a catalog in December.

Speaking of bulk seed, if you need a bulk quantity of anything we list that has no bulk price, just write or email me at JLH@JLHudsonSeeds.net, and I'll quote you a price on whatever amount is in stock and available for immediate delivery.

Because of the unstable value of the dollar against other currencies, the prices of imported seed are uncertain. Please check website for current bulk prices.

The white list is still coming. It is already in place in Australia and New Zealand, where it now costs over $30,000.00 to get permission to import a single new species of plant!

I encourage everyone to have a look at the new bulk seed list, as we are adding a lot of information that will be useful to everyone, including current germination test results and the number of seeds per weight unit. This is limited only by my lack of time - there are only so many hours in the day. So please send me your spare time!

I'd like to encourage everyone to get a copy of my new book, Invasion Biology: Critique of a Pseudoscience. If you don't want to shell out for it yourself, request it through your local library. I think you will find it an eye-opener!

I also encourage you to check out the other sources we list. We all need to support independent plantsmen. Send me the names and addresses of your favorite diversity-rich, information-rich mail-order seed and plant sources.

CANADIAN CUSTOMERS
NOTE: Sometimes there are considerable delays in the mails between the US and Canada - even letters can take 4 - 6 weeks to reach us, and parcels of seed to you can take about a month.
Please do not inquire as to whether we have shipped your request until at least 30 days after you mail it.
We like Canada - what a great place. We welcome Canadian customers, and hope we can make it easy for you to send payment. (Canada! Looking better all the time in comparison to the US! Aren't you lucky you don't live here...) We can now accept payment online through PayPal, an easy way to pay by credit card or directly from your bank account. Online Requesting. PayPal costs you nothing, unlike a money order! We accept Canadian currency at your own risk (about C$1.00 = US$1.00, plus the 5% that the currency exchange charges us. For current exchange rate, go to http://www.xe.net/ucc/), or U.S. currency at your own risk (wrap currency well, and register the letter), or Canadian Postal Money Orders in U.S.$ only, or personal checks from a U.S. bank in U.S.$ only. Banks here charge up to $60 to process Canadian bank checks, even if in U.S.$! I know, it's an outrage! We refund in Canadian currency or by Credit Memo. If you pay through PayPal, we can refund this way.
POSTAGE TO CANADA for small parcels is not too much more expensive than to the US, so packet requests should use the US chart above. For books and heavy parcels, check http://ircalc.usps.gov for the rate. Choose the rate you prefer, and add that amount to your payment, plus $1.00 for packing.
ALL TYPES OF SEED, including tree and shrub seed and corn seed in small packets may now be shipped directly to Canada without import permit, phytosanitary certificate or delay. A few types such as wheat (Triticum) are prohibited.

OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA
We can now accept payment online through PayPal, an easy way to pay by credit card or directly from your bank account. Online Requesting. PayPal costs you nothing, unlike a money order, or bank draft!
All payments must be made in U.S. dollars only, by check or bank draft drawn on a U.S. bank only. We cannot accept checks drawn on banks outside the U.S., due to excessive charges imposed by our bank. You may send U.S. currency at your own risk, and we now accept cash payment in all currencies, but we recommend you register the letter. If you send non - U.S. currency, please add 5% (the currency-exchange charges us 5% to change currency). For an exchange-rate calculator, go to http://www.xe.net/ucc/. If you are sending currency from a country that uses Euros, please send Euros, not your old currency. Checks or drafts in US$ only.
If any items are out of stock, you must be able to accept a refund in U.S. dollars, or credit for future requests, or substitutions. If you pay through PayPal, we can refund this way. If you would like substitutes, please give an extensive list of acceptable alternates.
All requests will be shipped via AIRMAIL. For postage and packing, please TRIPLE the amounts shown in the table for U.S. customers. For bulk seed, books, kits, etc. go to http://ircalc.usps.gov and use the rate calculator (fill in your own country in field #1), then add $1.00 for packing.
Please check with your Ministry of Agriculture regarding any prohibited seeds. Most countries allow the importation of small amounts of flower seeds without an Import Permit or Phytosanitary Certificate. For most seeds, quantities under 100 grams are exempt from permit or certificate requirements. Most small requests pass customs with no problems without a Phytosanitary Certificate. We are NOT able to provide phytosanitary certificates - the USDA has made the process so difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. We are not responsible for any seeds seized by customs.
Please do not inquire as to whether we have shipped your request until at least 30 days after you mail it.
Note: Australia and New Zealand have extremely restrictive agriculture laws - it is nearly impossible to import seed into New Zealand, and Australia is not far behind. If you are in either of these countries be aware that your seeds may be seized by customs. We are not responsible for seeds that do not reach you! Request at your own risk! Books and GA-3 are OK to request for now.

CALIFORNIA CUSTOMERS - SALES TAX
You must remit sales tax on all seed and books, except seeds of vegetables and commonly used food plants. If a plant is usually grown as an ornamental and has only incidental food use, such as most edible flowers, we are required by law to charge the tax.
No tax on postage; figure tax before adding postage.
State sales tax rate is 8.25%. Only customers in San Mateo County pay 9.25% sales tax.
Businesses must send a signed resale card, your resale number alone is not accepted by the B.O.E.
Click here for more info on Sales Tax.

NO BOUNCED CHECKS
$10.00 service charge on all bounced checks.

EDIBLE & MEDICINAL PLANTS
Occasionally we mention the edible or medicinal properties of plants as they have been reported in the literature. This is solely to point out promising plants to competent researchers, and for historical interest, and we make no claims in this regard. Self-experimentation with medicinal or edible wild plants can be very dangerous, due to toxins and allergic reactions. Do not experiment!

NO GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED SEED
We do not sell any genetically-engineered seeds.
In the future we may expect transgenic traits to escape from GE plants and pass by natural means into traditional and heirloom plants. Eventually, the entire food supply may become modified, and none of us will have any choice in the matter.

TREATED or UNTREATED SEED?
Whenever possible we avoid seed that has been treated with pesticide. A few species (fewer than 10) are highly subject to insect infestation and are only available from collectors already treated with pesticide. Sometimes this is required by law. In these cases we wash the seed before distributing. All treated seed are labeled as such in the catalog and the packets are clearly labeled. If you want untreated seed only, please say so on your request.
Currently, only the following seeds have been treated with pesticide:

Acacia Greggii
Caesalpinia cacalaco
Calliandra eriophylla
Cercidium microphyllum
Cercidium praecox
Cercidium Torreyanum
Lysiloma Thornberi
Mimosa dysocarpa
Pithecellobium flexicaule

SEED EXCHANGE
If you would like to collect seed from the wild, or save seed from unusual plants in your garden, and would like to exchange this seed with me for credit on your requests, ask for the 'Seed Exchange' pamphlet, which also includes 'How to Collect Seed'.

HELP STOP THE 'WHITE LIST'
The government is proposing new regulations that will ban the possession and distribution of 99% of all living species! Read about it and find out what you can do to stop this.

GIBBERELLIC ACID-3 (GA-3) PRIMED SEED
We are pleased to introduce seed which has been pre-treated with gibberellic acid for quick germination. This is a new process we developed which allows you to just plant ordinarily slow and difficult seeds, and achieve rapid germination without prolonged pre-treatments or making GA-3 solutions yourself. Only a few types are available, but more will follow as research progresses.
Gibberellic acid-primed seed are listed like this:
—Datura Tatula GA-3. (b,g) DATU-28G. Packet: $3.00

SORRY, NO TELEPHONE!
I HAVE NO BUSINESS OR PERSONAL TELEPHONE. Please do not call anyone named Hudson who is listed in the La Honda directory, as you will only disturb someone not connected with me. I do my web work off-site as we are off the grid.
"If your 'phone doesn't ring, its me!"—J.L.H.
WE ARE NOT SET UP TO RECEIVE VISITORS.

IF YOU MOVE
When giving us your new address, please give your old address so we can remove it from the list.

ATTENTION GARDEN WRITERS
Ask for our Garden Writer's Information Sheet, and send us a current clipping, and we will put you on our Garden Writers mailing list.