Frequently Asked Questions

What are heirloom seeds?

We consider seed varieties that are over 50 years old and open-pollinated to be heirloom seeds.

Are all of your seeds Non-GMO?

Yes. We will never knowingly buy, sell or share seeds that have been genetically engineered or are a genetically modified organism.

Are all of your seeds organic?

No. We do sell a lot of organic varieties but we are not 100% organic or certified organic at this time. The varieties that we have that are organic will be listed as such on the individual product page.

Are your seeds treated with neonicotinoids or other pesticides?

No. Our seeds are not treated with neonicotinoids or other pesticides.

Do you have a catalog of your products?

We don’t have a catalog at this time. Our website serves as our catalog to keep our costs down, which in turn helps us pass the savings on to our customers. We may in the future consider offering one.

Do you have a retail location?

No we don’t have a retail location or storefront at this time.

How many seeds come in each packet?

Each packet contains 50-100 seeds per variety. Some rare varieties or those that are larger seeds contain 15-50 seeds per packet. Individual seed packets will have the name, variety, seed count, date packed and date tested on each label.

How long can seeds be stored for?

This is a widely debated topic… There are methods that can help prolong the life of your seeds such as storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. We have found that by storing them in a glass container (air tight) or in a sealed mylar bag and placing them in the refrigerator, freezer or a temperature controlled atmosphere definitely helps. You can also put a desiccant pack in with them to help remove moisture and keep them dry. Avoid temps over 70 degrees or constant temperature fluctuations. To us, long term storage is 5-10+ years IF stored properly and this will also depend on the type of seed as certain varieties store well longer than others. If you’re not sure if your seeds are still viable, you can perform an easy seed germination test on them. We’ve discussed this and provide directions here.

What are your refund, return or exchange policies?

Our refund, return and exchange policies can be found here.

How and when do you ship orders?

Our shipping policies can be found here.

How do you calculate tax?

We only charge sales tax for orders that are billing or shipping to Ohio as required of us by law.

How do I use a discount code that I received?

To use your discount code, you can enter it during checkout and it will be applied to your order.

How do I create an account?

Visit the My Account page and you’ll be able to set one up.

Do you offer gift cards or gift certificates?

We do! We offer gift cards that are available for purchase here.

How do I know which USDA hardiness zone I’m in?

You can visit the USDA website and enter your zip code. It’ll tell you which zone you are in. USDA Site

How do I know what my last and first frost dates are?

You can visit the National Gardening Associations website and enter your zip code. It’ll tell you your dates. NGA Site

I have a problem with my order, what should I do?

If you have any questions or issues with an order, please feel free to Contact Us.

How do I track my order?

You can visit the My Account page and if tracking has been updated you can view it there. We also send you a confirmation email with your tracking number once your order has shipped.

Why did I receive a variety that’s different than what I ordered?

Occasionally a particular variety may become out of stock. In the event this happens, we will substitute the variety with another that is equal to or similar. If a suitable substitute cannot be made, we will issue a refund for that item at our discretion.

How do I know if a seed or plant is considered invasive or a noxious weed in my area?

Some cultivated or naturally occurring plants have been labeled by some local, state, provincial and federal governments as noxious or invasive weeds or plants. Bella Mia Farmstead will not purposely or knowingly sell seed that breaks any of these noxious weed laws. However, it’s important that you check the laws and rules in your state and area before ordering seeds from us or planting them. If you purchase seeds or plants from us knowing that they are considered noxious or invasive in your state or area you do so under the agreement that you have no intentions on planting or growing them. Please check here for invasive and noxious weed information: USDA List

What forms of payment do you accept?

We currently accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and PayPal.

Do you ship outside of the United States?

Unfortunately, we are only able to ship within the United States at this time.

Help! I’ve forgotten my password and I can’t log in!

Go the the My Account page and click on the forgot password link. Instructions on creating a new password will be emailed to you. If you still continue to have issues, feel free to Contact Us.

How are your seeds packaged?

Black heat sealed mylar bag Available on certain collections. Mylar bags are great protection from light, moisture and for long term storage. Each individual seed variety is packed in a small recloseable black clear front mylar packet and then placed down inside the larger black mylar bag and heat sealed closed.
Standard black shipping box Available on all collections. Each individual seed variety is packed in a small recloseable black clear front mylar packet and then placed inside the black box.