The Seed Mix-up of 2023

If you gardened or talked to other people who gardened this year you have probably heard of the seed mix up that has been going on across the country. While seed mix-ups aren’t entirely uncommon on a small scale, this is the first time the issue has happened on such a large scale across the country.

This year’s seed mix-up was originally dubbed “peppergate” by gardening communities because the issue first showed up in peppers. The issue first showed up with jalapeño peppers that ended up not being jalapeño peppers but rather a yellow banana type pepper or a hot wax pepper. Some people also had a mix up on their bell peppers with hot peppers or other types of bell peppers. To make things even more confusing it wasn’t just gardeners who started seeds at home that were impacted but also garden centers and national wholesalers so some people bought a pack of peppers and ended up with a mix of several different types of peppers none of which might be what you wanted.

Once things started to settle down with the peppers it was then discovered that peppers weren’t the only vegetable mixed up. There have been several different varieties of tomato plants mixed up as well ranging from cherry varieties instead of romas and heirloom varieties with hybrids. While the peppers and tomatoes seem to be just a mix up of varieties many gardeners also report getting completely different plants from what they had ordered including thyme seeds that were dill, petunias that ended up being lettuce seeds instead and lettuce seed that ended up being tomatoes. Many of the issues have been linked back to one company that grows seeds for several national chains however issues with other seed companies have been noted including poor germination and seed quality. This issue is especially frustrating for many gardeners since the peppers and tomato issues aren’t caught till the vegetables start to set on fruit and people realize that wasn’t the plant they originally thought it was. By then it was too late to plant anything else, provided you could find seed that was actually what it was supposed to be.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do at this point if you were one of the people affected. It is important to keep a record of what seeds you purchased that were wrong and let the companies know so they are aware of what all is mixed up. If you started your own vegetables from seed and it’s not a variety you like it’s best to get rid of that seed. While this isn’t the gardening year that many had planned it can still be a successful one. I plan to enjoy the cherry tomato I didn’t plan on by making BLT wraps and salads instead.

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu