That packet of unusual flower or vegetable seeds from an unfamiliar online seller might look like a bargain, but the USDA has a very good reason for telling gardeners to pump the brakes. Before planting seeds bought online, check where they came from and whether they meet U.S. import requirements.
That matters even more when the seller looks American but ships from another country, because the buyer can become the importer under USDA rules. A packet can look perfectly innocent while carrying plant pests, diseases or seeds that federal rules restrict or prohibit. In other words, that bargain packet deserves a little detective work before it gets anywhere near the tomato bed.
