Shopify Agricultural, Garden & Plant Schema — Seeds, Plants, Bulbs, USDA Organic & Non-GMO Structured Data

Why Garden & Seed Products Need Specialized Structured Data

Garden and seed products have more filterable buying criteria per product than almost any other Shopify category. A gardener shopping for tomato seeds simultaneously filters by: hardiness zone compatibility, days to maturity vs their frost-free season length, organic or non-GMO certification status, seed type (heirloom vs hybrid), disease resistance, sun requirement, and price. Without structured data encoding all these attributes, AI shopping agents resort to description text parsing — which fails for numeric comparisons (days to maturity <75) and zone range matching.

The commercial gap is large. The National Gardening Association reports that 37% of US households (49 million) grow food at home. The online seed and plant market grew 31% during 2020–2023 and has not retracted. Yet structured data adoption among Shopify seed and nursery stores is near zero — almost no seller has implemented hardiness zone, days to maturity, or certification markup in JSON-LD. CatalogScan's scanning data shows these three properties absent on 97% of garden product pages.

Garden product query types and required structured data

Full Seed Product Schema — Heirloom Tomato Example

This example covers an heirloom tomato seed packet with USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project certifications, complete growing properties, and a metafield-driven Liquid implementation.

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": "Brandywine Pink Heirloom Tomato Seeds — USDA Organic, 30 Seeds",
  "description": "Brandywine Pink heirloom tomato seeds, USDA Organic certified and Non-GMO Project Verified. Large beefsteak-type tomato, 1-2 lb fruits, rich sweet flavor. Indeterminate vine. 80 days to maturity from transplant. Open-pollinated — save seeds season to season. Suitable for zones 3-10 (annual grown as warm-season crop). 30 seeds per packet.",
  "sku": "TOM-BRAND-PINK-ORG-30",
  "brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Heritage Seed Co." },
  "sustainabilityFeature": "USDA Organic certified seed production. Non-GMO Project Verified. Open-pollinated heirloom variety — seed-saving encouraged. No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides used in production.",
  "hasCertification": [
    {
      "@type": "Certification",
      "name": "USDA Organic",
      "issuedBy": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "USDA National Organic Program",
        "url": "https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic"
      },
      "certificationIdentification": "NOP-2024-00143",
      "url": "https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/licensees-certificates"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Certification",
      "name": "Non-GMO Project Verified",
      "issuedBy": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Non-GMO Project",
        "url": "https://www.nongmoproject.org"
      },
      "url": "https://www.nongmoproject.org/product-verification/verified-products/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Certification",
      "name": "Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth (OTCO)",
      "issuedBy": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Oregon Tilth Certified Organic",
        "url": "https://tilth.org/services/certification/"
      }
    }
  ],
  "additionalProperty": [
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Plant Type", "value": "Vegetable — Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Variety", "value": "Brandywine Pink" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Seed Type", "value": "Heirloom", "description": "Open-pollinated heirloom variety dating to 1885. Seeds saved from harvest will grow true-to-type. Non-hybrid." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "USDA Hardiness Zone", "value": "3-10", "description": "Grown as a warm-season annual in all zones 3-10. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Days to Maturity", "value": "80", "unitCode": "DAY", "description": "80 days from transplant to first ripe fruit under average growing conditions." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Days to Germination", "value": "7", "unitCode": "DAY", "description": "7-14 days at soil temperature 70-80°F (21-27°C)." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Sun Requirement", "value": "Full Sun", "description": "Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal fruit production." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Water Requirement", "value": "Regular", "description": "1-2 inches per week. Consistent moisture prevents blossom end rot and cracking." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Growth Habit", "value": "Indeterminate", "description": "Continues growing and producing fruit all season until frost. Requires staking or caging." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Fruit Size", "value": "Large (1-2 lb)", "description": "Beefsteak-type. Irregular shape typical of heirloom varieties." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Seed Count", "value": "30", "description": "30 seeds per packet" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Sowing Depth", "value": "0.25", "unitCode": "INH", "description": "Sow 1/4 inch deep" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Spacing", "value": "36", "unitCode": "INH", "description": "36 inches between plants, 48 inches between rows" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Disease Resistance", "value": "None declared", "description": "Heirloom varieties typically lack bred-in disease resistance of modern hybrids. Rotate crops to manage soil diseases." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Attracts Pollinators", "value": "Yes — bees", "description": "Tomato flowers attract bumblebees, which vibrate (buzz pollinate) the flowers for best fruit set." }
  ],
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": "4.99",
    "priceCurrency": "USD",
    "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
    "url": "https://example-seeds.myshopify.com/products/brandywine-pink-heirloom-tomato-seeds-organic"
  }
}
</script>

Perennial Plant & Bulb Schema

Live plants and bulbs have different properties than seeds — shipping season, plant form (potted/bare root/bulb/plug), cold stratification requirements, and bloom time matter more than days to germination. The hardiness zone for perennials is the survival zone, not just a growing season indicator.

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": "Lavender 'Hidcote' — English Lavender Live Plant, Quart Pot, USDA Zones 5-8",
  "description": "Lavender angustifolia 'Hidcote' English lavender in 1-quart nursery pot. Dense violet-purple spikes, compact 18-24 inch mounded habit. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, rabbit-resistant. Full sun. Blooms June-July with possible rebloom in September. Perennial in zones 5-8; grown as annual in zones 3-4.",
  "brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Green Thumb Nursery" },
  "sustainabilityFeature": "Grown without neonicotinoids. Pollinator-friendly nursery certified by Bee Better Certified program. Peat-free growing medium.",
  "hasCertification": [
    {
      "@type": "Certification",
      "name": "Bee Better Certified — Pollinator-Friendly Nursery",
      "issuedBy": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Bee Better Certified",
        "url": "https://beebettercertified.org"
      }
    }
  ],
  "additionalProperty": [
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Plant Type", "value": "Perennial Herb — Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote')" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "USDA Hardiness Zone", "value": "5-8", "description": "Hardy perennial in USDA zones 5-8 (minimum -20°F to 10°F / -29°C to -12°C). Survives winter as established plant. Grow as annual in zones 3-4." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Plant Form", "value": "Potted — Quart Container", "description": "Live plant in 1-quart (4-inch) nursery pot. Ready to transplant to garden or larger container." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Shipping Season", "value": "Spring (April-June)", "description": "Ships when plants are actively growing, typically April through June depending on destination climate." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Mature Height", "value": "18-24", "unitCode": "INH", "description": "18-24 inches at maturity" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Mature Spread", "value": "24-30", "unitCode": "INH", "description": "24-30 inch spread at maturity" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Sun Requirement", "value": "Full Sun", "description": "Requires 6+ hours of direct sun. Poor performance and root rot in shade." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Water Requirement", "value": "Low — Drought Tolerant", "description": "Water weekly until established (first season), then monthly or less. Excellent drought tolerance once established." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Bloom Time", "value": "June-July", "description": "Primary bloom June-July. Possible light rebloom September if deadheaded." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Bloom Color", "value": "Violet-Purple" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Deer Resistant", "value": "Yes", "description": "Strongly deer-resistant due to aromatic foliage." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Rabbit Resistant", "value": "Yes" },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Attracts Pollinators", "value": "Yes — bees, butterflies", "description": "Exceptional pollinator plant. Lavender fields in commercial agriculture specifically grown for honeybee forage." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Soil Preference", "value": "Well-drained, alkaline to neutral (pH 6.5-7.5)", "description": "Does not tolerate wet or clay soils. Amend with gravel or sand in heavy soils." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Native Species", "value": "No — Mediterranean origin", "description": "Native to Mediterranean region. Naturalized in many temperate climates but not native to North America." },
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Neonicotinoid-Free", "value": "Yes", "description": "Grown without neonicotinoid pesticides. Safe for pollinators." }
  ]
}

Plant form vocabulary reference

USDA Hardiness Zone Reference

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the US and Canada into 13 zones based on minimum winter temperature. Each zone is a 10°F band; half-zones (5a, 5b) are 5°F bands. Always express zone ranges as a hyphenated string ("5-8") and include the temperature range in the description field for AI agents that resolve temperature-based queries independently of zone lookup tables.

Garden Certification Reference

Dawn Liquid Snippet: seed.* Metafield Namespace

Save as snippets/garden-product-schema.liquid. Activates for products tagged seeds, plants, bulbs, or in the garden or seeds collection.

{% comment %} garden-product-schema.liquid — seeds, plants, bulbs structured data {% endcomment %}
{% assign is_garden = false %}
{% if product.tags contains 'seeds' or product.tags contains 'plants' or product.tags contains 'bulbs' or product.tags contains 'garden' %}
  {% assign is_garden = true %}
{% endif %}
{% for collection in product.collections %}
  {% if collection.handle == 'seeds' or collection.handle == 'garden' or collection.handle == 'plants' or collection.handle == 'bulbs' %}
    {% assign is_garden = true %}
  {% endif %}
{% endfor %}

{% if is_garden %}
{% assign hardiness_zone  = product.metafields.seed.hardiness_zone %}
{% assign days_maturity   = product.metafields.seed.days_to_maturity %}
{% assign days_germinate  = product.metafields.seed.days_to_germination %}
{% assign seed_type       = product.metafields.seed.seed_type %}
{% assign sun_req         = product.metafields.seed.sun_requirement %}
{% assign water_req       = product.metafields.seed.water_requirement %}
{% assign plant_type      = product.metafields.seed.plant_type %}
{% assign plant_form      = product.metafields.seed.plant_form %}
{% assign ship_season     = product.metafields.seed.shipping_season %}
{% assign bloom_time      = product.metafields.seed.bloom_time %}
{% assign deer_resistant  = product.metafields.seed.deer_resistant %}
{% assign pollinators     = product.metafields.seed.attracts_pollinators %}
{% assign is_organic      = product.metafields.seed.usda_organic %}
{% assign is_nongmo       = product.metafields.seed.non_gmo_project %}
{% assign sustainability  = product.metafields.seed.sustainability_statement %}

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": {{ product.title | json }},
  "description": {{ product.description | strip_html | truncatewords: 80 | json }},
  "url": "{{ shop.url }}{{ product.url }}",
  "sku": {{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.sku | json }}
  {% if product.selected_or_first_available_variant.barcode != blank %}
  ,"gtin": {{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.barcode | json }}
  {% endif %}
  {% if product.vendor != blank %}
  ,"brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": {{ product.vendor | json }} }
  {% endif %}
  {% if sustainability != blank %}
  ,"sustainabilityFeature": {{ sustainability | json }}
  {% endif %}
  {% assign certs = "" %}
  {% if is_organic == "true" or is_organic == true %}
  ,"hasCertification": [
    { "@type": "Certification", "name": "USDA Organic", "issuedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "USDA National Organic Program", "url": "https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic" } }
    {% if is_nongmo == "true" or is_nongmo == true %}
    ,{ "@type": "Certification", "name": "Non-GMO Project Verified", "issuedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Non-GMO Project", "url": "https://www.nongmoproject.org" } }
    {% endif %}
  ]
  {% elsif is_nongmo == "true" or is_nongmo == true %}
  ,"hasCertification": [
    { "@type": "Certification", "name": "Non-GMO Project Verified", "issuedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Non-GMO Project", "url": "https://www.nongmoproject.org" } }
  ]
  {% endif %}
  ,"additionalProperty": [
    {% assign ap_started = false %}
    {% if plant_type != blank %}
    { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Plant Type", "value": {{ plant_type | json }} }
    {% assign ap_started = true %}
    {% endif %}
    {% if seed_type != blank %}
    {% if ap_started %},{% endif %}{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Seed Type", "value": {{ seed_type | json }} }
    {% assign ap_started = true %}
    {% endif %}
    {% if hardiness_zone != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "USDA Hardiness Zone", "value": {{ hardiness_zone | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if days_maturity != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Days to Maturity", "value": {{ days_maturity | json }}, "unitCode": "DAY" }
    {% endif %}
    {% if days_germinate != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Days to Germination", "value": {{ days_germinate | json }}, "unitCode": "DAY" }
    {% endif %}
    {% if sun_req != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Sun Requirement", "value": {{ sun_req | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if water_req != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Water Requirement", "value": {{ water_req | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if plant_form != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Plant Form", "value": {{ plant_form | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if ship_season != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Shipping Season", "value": {{ ship_season | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if bloom_time != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Bloom Time", "value": {{ bloom_time | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if deer_resistant != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Deer Resistant", "value": {{ deer_resistant | json }} }
    {% endif %}
    {% if pollinators != blank %}
    ,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Attracts Pollinators", "value": {{ pollinators | json }} }
    {% endif %}
  ]
  ,"offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": {{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.price | money_without_currency | json }},
    "priceCurrency": {{ cart.currency.iso_code | json }},
    "availability": {% if product.available %}"https://schema.org/InStock"{% else %}"https://schema.org/OutOfStock"{% endif %},
    "url": "{{ shop.url }}{{ product.url }}"
  }
}
</script>
{% endif %}

seed.* metafield namespace

5 Common Garden & Seed Schema Mistakes

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• CatalogScan Blog — AI Shopping Agent Optimization