Where to Get Free Tobacco Seeds
Growing your own tobacco can be a rewarding hobby, but is it possible to get free tobacco seeds in order to experiment with various tobacco plant varieties? The answer is, yes! There are several online tobacco companies that do offer free tobacco seed samples to potential customers. If you qualify as a low-income individual or family, there are even a few tobacco companies that maintain a monthly subsidized inventory, just for this purpose.
Where Do I Begin?
The best way to obtain free tobacco seeds from a tobacco seed company is to do a little research, compiling a list of companies with either a retail or online presence. Tobacco seed companies are always looking for new customers, particularly those willing to educate themselves on the history and growing properties of various tobacco plants. Contact the marketing department and ask them if there are any current promotions for new customers. In addition, it may help to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request. Remember, politeness is key.
Government Research Subsidies
Perhaps one of the least known outlets for free tobacco seeds is the United States Department of Agriculture Research Service. There are thousands of tobacco plant varieties, each with their own particular characteristics and climate requirements. As an individual researcher interested in the growing properties of tobacco, particularly by seed, you may request seed samples from the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service.
First, navigate to the Agricultural Research Service's National Plant Germplasm online system. After entering "tobacco" as a search query, compile a list of tobacco varieties that interest you. Then, click on the tobacco plant's scientific name for information regarding its history and specific characteristics. If the plant is available for distribution, you will be able to click on the link, "Request this germplasm." The normal distribution is in packs of 1000 tobacco seeds.
