If you don't see what you're looking for, or if you have seed from a "special" tree, consider having it Contract or Custom grown. We can supply you with the seed source and hardiness for all species we grow. If you want certified seedlings we can custom or contract grow them for you.

Contract Growing

We will grow the tree seedlings species and amount you request from our seed. This is dependent upon availability of seed for the specific species requested. In most cases, seedlings will be ready for the next growing season. Inquire for pricing.

Custom Growing

We will grow your seedlings from your seed lot(s) for delivery in the fall or spring. In all cases, your seed and seed lots will be kept labeled. We insure that no one but you will get seedlings from your seed lot. We must have current germination for your seed to determine sowing rates. Inquire for pricing.

Custom Growing Terms

General Terms

Conifer seed for sowing in the winter crop, which is sown in August/September, must be received by June 1. This is to allow adequate time for stratification if needed, germination testing and scheduling into the winter crop.

Hardwood and pine seed sown in the summer crop, which is sown in May, must be received by February 1. This is to allow adequate time for stratification if needed, germination testing and scheduling into the summer crop.

Note, a few species require much longer stratification time and will have to be received earlier-inquire.

Minimum order required of 500 tree seedlings per seedlot.

Itasca Greenhouse will keep your seedlot/seedlings labeled for you from start to finish.

Please label your seedlot(s) well on each seed package with your name, species, year seed purchased/collected, and any germination data if available. Also send with your seed how many you want us to grow and requested delivery date.

Seedlots that require cleaning will be charged a fee of $21.50 per hour, with the minimum cleaning charge of $21.50 per seedlot. For more information, please inquire.

Germination Rate

All seed must have current germination rates before it is sown. You can supply this or we can run a germination test for $20.00 per seedlot.dure for germination testing used by Itasca Greenhouse

Four lots of one hundred seeds each will be taken from each seedlot that you provide and will be grown for 30 days. After 30 days, the number of germinated seeds will be counted and the percentage rate of germination will be determined. For those species that require stratification, the seed will be stratified as per the Woody Plant Seed Manual or based on our experience.

You will be contacted with the results of the germination test. We will then determine the best method of sowing.

Sowing of your custom seed

The sowing rate of your seed will be based on the germination rate provided to us or the rate determined by our germination test. We generally over sow to cover potential shortfalls. Any overrun of the requested production number will be offered to the customer. If the customer does not want to purchase any overrun, it will be add to general sales.

A 25% nonrefundable deposit is required before sowing. This deposit will be based on the number of seedlings requested to be grown from your seedlot. Seeding will be based on your requested numbers plus a small buffer to allow for downfall during production. The size of the buffer varies with species, germination tests and size of order.

Method of sowing:

Germ Sowing: Germ sowing produces the very highest utilization of your seed, as essentially everything that germinates is transplanted into the container and grown. This is a good way to get all the possible seedlings from very low germination seedlots. Some species cannot be germ sown. The additional charge for germ sowing is $36.00/1000.

Direct sowing: Your seed can be sown directly into the container at a sowing rate based on the germination test results. Extra seedlings per cavity will be discarded, or at your request transplanted into empty cavities at an additional cost of $15.00/1000.

Delivery of custom crop

Balance of payment due before shipping or at time of pickup.

Customer is responsible for 85% of the production requested when direct sown, as production space in the greenhouse is committed with the sowing of your seed.

Customer agrees to take delivery of custom grown crop at scheduled delivery time unless other arrangements are made in writing, and agreed upon by Itasca Greenhouse.

If balance of payment due is not received by scheduled shipping date, trees will be released for general sales, unless other arrangements are made in writing, and agreed upon by Itasca Greenhouse.

Direct sowing rates based on germination rate

We can upgrade your seedlings to larger containers and/or hold them for one or two growing seasons for larger seedlings. Inquire for details.