Our seeds are guaranteed to germinate at or above federal germination minimums when given the proper moisture, temperature, and light conditions required for the variety. If you believe that you supplied the correct germination environment and did not receive suitable germination (as indicated on the upper-right hand corner of the packet), please contact us so we can address the problem. Our liability is limited to the cost of sale of the packet of seed--not the value of a harvestable crop. (In the case of seeds received as part of a membership, the "cost of sale" for each seed pack shall be $2.00 plus tax.)

Please note that we will, in the future, be the holder and conveyor of seeds returned to us as part of our library program. Because of the wide variety of growing environments supplied by Hudson Valley Seed Library members who choose to return seed to the library, we cannot guarantee the quality of these seeds. Sow at your own risk--or benefit!

All items in our catalog--including membership--are taxable. Sales tax applies to all deliveries made within New York State. State law requires us to charge the tax rate applicable in the jurisdiction to which the delivery is sent. When checking out, please select your appropriate jurisidiction; tax will be determined for you automatically. No sales tax applies to orders shipped outside of New York State.

We ship mainly via first-class USPS mail, which means we are usually able to ship to PO boxes. All orders received from November 1st through May 15th--except those received during the first two weeks of January--ship within 72 hours. (Early January orders ship beginning the third week of January; early January we take a break.) From May 15th until November 1st, orders ship on Mondays and Fridays only--usually still within 72 hours. Orders shipped to addresses within the Hudson Valley, Capital District, or New York metropolitan region typically arrive within one or two days after shipping (a total wait time after ordering of two to four business days). Orders shipped to addresses outside of these regions typically arrive within two to four days after shipping (a total wait time after ordering of three to seven business days). If you need a faster delivery, please contact us, being sure to include both your e-mail address and phone number, and we will let you know if expedited service is available (it varies depending on our schedule).

Our shipping fees are as follows:

• Subtotal $0.00 (pre-paid at market or received as gift): shipping fee is $0.00.
• Subtotal between $0.01 and $20.00: shipping fee is $3.00.
• Subtotal between $20.01 and $50.00: shipping fee is $5.00.
• Subtotal $50.01 or higher: shipping fee is $7.00.

Our shipping costs have gone up in 2010 because the post office's fees increased in May, 2009, at the tail end of last year's shipping season. Some orders include backordered items; your one shipping fee covers all mailings necessary to complete your order.