The Ultimate List of Seed Catalogs and Plant Companies

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]ight now is the perfect time to start planning your garden. While we anxiously wait for the growing season to begin, we can all sit down with a garden catalog (or two) and pick out what we'd like to grow. 

I find the process of mapping out everything really exciting. You can begin to envision your own backyard oasis. They say dream big, right?  I've been organizing my seeds, taking inventory and enjoying making some orders. I've also been thumbing through so many seed catalogs. My pile just seems to be getting bigger and bigger!

Along with ordering new seeds, I've been participating in seed swaps! They are so much fun, and the varieties I've been receiving are absolutely incredible. 

The very first seed order I put in for this year was with Baker Creek Seeds. I think all of us gardeners can agree that they have such great heirlooms to choose from and so many varieties! I'm really looking forward to growing 'Glass Gem' corn and also 'Micro Tom' tomatoes. 

When it comes to flowers, I always look forward to making an order with Floret Flower Farm. You have to be fast though. Seeds go really quick! I cannot wait to grow 'Ladybird Rose' nasturtiums along with 'Zinderella Peach' zinnias.

I reached out to my gardening and homesteading friends through social media to see where they like to buy seeds. I also asked what varieties everyone is looking forward to growing this upcoming season. Their answers are included below!

I've compiled a list that includes free seed catalogs, free bulb and bare root catalogs, catalogs for the Canadian grower and online only companies. They are listed alphabetically below.

Free Seed Catalogs

• Adaptive Seeds

"My favorites catalogs are Adaptive Seeds, High Mowing Seeds, and Baker Creek. This year I am relying on High Mowing's 'Early' Jalapeño to get me my pepper fix in the super short growing season of North-Central Vermont." 

• Annie’s Heirloom Seeds

• Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

"I’ve only purchased from Baker Creek. After trying quite a few different varieties of tomatoes over the last several years, by and far, my favorite and most successful here in central Texas has been the ‘Sioux’ tomato. You can’t find the seeds for them every year though, so I need to up my game and start saving seeds!"

"My favorite seed catalog is the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog. I’m most excited to grow any kind of heirloom tomato."

• Botanical Interests

"My favorite seed catalog is Botanical Interests from Broomfield, CO. I'm really excited to grow Purple snow peas that turn green when you cook them. Can't wait for the seeds to arrive!"

“Botanical Interests, Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange & Sow True Seed. I’m excited to grow tomatoes from Wild Boar Farm."

• Burgess Seed & Plant Co.

• Burpee

“I love the Burpee seed catalog. I also have to add, hands down Baker Creek. I’m excited to grow the heatless jalapeño variety called 'Nadapeño'  from Baker Creek."

• Dixondale Farms

• Fedco Seeds

“My favorite seed catalogs are Fedco, because they're specific to my region. Adaptive Seeds, because they have really fun varieties and Prairie Moon Nursery, because they focus on native plants and pollinators. I’m most excited about growing currant tomatoes this year. They're closely related to tomatoes, and make a very small 1/2inch  fruit that tastes like tropical fruit. They grow on big sprawling plants that spread 10+ feet and have big yields, at least that's what the catalogs tell me!"

• The Gardener's Workshop

• Gardens Alive

• Gilbert H Wild & Son

• Grimes

• Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co.

• Harris Seeds

• High Mowing Organic Seeds

“My favorite seed catalogs are High Mowing Organic Seeds, Baker Creek and Territorial Seed Company. Two of the things I am looking forward to growing the most are the 'Midnight Pear' cherry tomato and the 'Rossa Di Milano' onion. I just ordered both from High Mowing, as well as several varieties of hull-less pumpkins including 'Kakai' from Baker Creek and 'Beppo' from Territorial.”

• Hudson Valley Seed Co. 

• Johnny's Selected Seeds

"My very favorite catalog is Johnny's Selected Seeds in Albion, Maine. Johnny's carries a variety of vegetable seeds, seed potatoes, onion, garlic, berries, flowers, herbs, grasses and more. They offer hardy seeds for all climates. I loved growing their 'Adirondack Red' potatoes. I look forward to growing these again!"

• John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds

“My favorite seed catalogs are John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, West Coast Seed and Baker Creek. I'm excited to grow 'Midori Giant' Edamame, 'Kiku Chrysanthemum' melons and 'Lucid Gem' tomatoes”

• Jung Seed

• Kitazawa Seed Co

• Neseed

• Osborn Quality Seeds

• Park Seed

“My favorite places to buy seeds are Park Seed, Floret Flower & Swallowtail Garden Seeds. I’m really excited to grow the new 2019 AAS Winner, 'Orange Silverwave' melon.”

• Pinetree Garden Seeds

“I love all the catalogs, but I try to look at local ones. In New Hampshire, my favorite was Pinetree Garden Seeds. Now that I'm in Virginia, I'm looking at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. I'm excited to grow a mild variety of mustard greens this year!"

• Prairie Moon Nursery

"Since I create meadows, I look for locally sourced wildflowers and grasses. I love Prairie Moon Nursery. I also love Roundstone Native Seed Company and Seed Savers Exchange. I use Renee’s, Botanical Interest, Sow True & Baker Creek seeds. I’m trying a new 'Habitat Seed Mix' to attract quail to our property. For the kitchen garden, we’ll be growing more hot pepper varieties."

• R. H. Shumway's

• Seeds From Italy

• Seed Savers Exchange

“I love Seed Savers Exchange and Botanical Interest. I’m also completely smitten with Baker Creek! My order is always embarrassingly huge every spring and fall. Renee’s Garden Seeds are my go-to for many flowers. I love Floret Flowers, but they do sell out fast. I’m growing a lot of Slow Food Ark of Taste products this year for a new project, plus my usual insane amount of tomatoes and peppers. I’m actually down in my varieties this year—only 64 varieties of tomatoes!”

• Select Seeds

“ I love all seed catalogs! I enjoy Select Seeds, which specializes in saving heirloom flowers and pollinator habitat blooms. Baker Creek since they're just down the road from me. I shop in person and spend way more than I should. Strictly Medicinal because apart from having great variety and high germination rates at my house, their staff is super helpful. I'm particularly excited to try growing a new cottage flower from Select Seeds called Bellflower 'Prichard's Variety'. It's a frothy, gorgeous lilac color bloom with multiple heads on many stems. It's a perennial that reportedly deer avoid. I've decided to start planting deer-repelling flowers along my fence perimeters to deter them. Our white tailed deer carry a pathogen that kills my alpacas. We've already lost one and I'm not going to lose another one, if I can help it. So, see, flowers ARE important - they're life savers!”

"I love Select Seeds and Baker Creek. This year, I'm going to focus on creating a large herb garden. I currently have herbs in pots, but I will be growing them throughout my front garden. I want to dry all the herbs that I don't use and give them away as Christmas presents this year."

• Siskiyou Seeds

• Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

• Sow True Seeds

• Stokes Seeds

• Strictly Medicinal Seeds

“My favorites are Strictly Medicinal Seeds because they focus on, well, strictly medicinal seeds! Also Baker Creek because it's a beautiful catalog. I'm really looking forward to growing 'Natsu Fushinari' cucumbers this year! I grew them last year and they were so prolific from just the few seeds gifted to me. I'm excited to see what happens this year!”

• Territorial Seed Company

"One of my favorite seeds catalogs is Territorial Seed Company. The catalog cover is a watercolor painting from a local artist, in addition to all their seed packets as well. For each of their vegetable sections, there is a growing chart included - it’s helpful! I also love Annie's because I am amazed by her. She does this on 4 acres and processes seed orders in her basement. I can relate to this! Another one is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. They are specific to my area. I have very limited space and raised beds only for growing. I'm intentional with everything I grow. It has to be good for home canning. So, I'm not one to "try new things" because of space. But, this year I am trying something different! I'll be growing 'Black Vernissages' tomatoes. I've been told they are a rich tasting tomato and perfect for sauces, so I'm trying them out!"

“My favorite seed catalog is Territorial Seed Company! I’m really excited to grow ‘Lemon Boy’ tomatoes in my garden this season.”

• Toadshade Wildflower Farm

• Tomato Growers Supply Company

• Totally Tomatoes

• Turtle Tree Seed

• Uprising Seed

• UF Seeds

• Vermont Bean Seed Co.

• Wayside Gardens

• West Coast Seeds

“I love a Canadian company called West Coast Seeds (they just can’t ship live plants to the US). I order a ton from Baker Creek and also enjoy High Mowing Organics in Vermont. But I’ve never met a seed company I didn’t like! We had fun growing tomatoes from seed last year, and in particular, loved the 'Jaune Flamme'!”

• Wild Garden Seed

Free Bulb & Bare Root Catalogs

• Bluestone Perennials

• Breck's

• Brent & Becky's Bulbs

• Colorblends

• David Austin Roses

• Edmund's Roses

• K. Van Bourgondien

• The Maine Potato Lady

• Michigan State Bulb Co.

• Raintree Nursery

• Stark Bro's

• Spring Hill Nurseries

• White Flower Farm

For The Canadian Growers

• Florabunda Seeds

• Halifax Seeds *Catalog Upon Request

“I usually order from at least 6 seed catalogues, but the one’s I order most often from are Halifax Seeds, Johnny’s Seeds and Baker Creek. I'm always on the lookout for cool, unusual veggies (and annual flowers), both heirlooms and hybrids. This year I will be putting my new polytunnel to the test, using it to grow some longer-season types of vegetables like cucumber melons, edible gourds, and melons (like the 'Torpedo' melon!). I'm going to grow two new nasturtiums 'Ladybird Rose' and 'Bloody Mary' I'm also excited to grow 'Aristotle' Basil and 'Itachi' cucumber, an Asian type with pale white fruits!”

• Heritage Harvest Seed *Catalog Upon Request

"My favorite seed catalog is Heritage Harvest Seed from Manitoba. I’m really excited to grow 'Girl Girl’s Weird Thing' tomato.” 

• OSC Seeds

"My favorite seed catalog is OSC Seeds and Baker Creek. I'm really excited to grow 'Russian Purple' tomatoes and 'Crook Neck' squash"

• Richters Herbs *Catalog Upon Request

“My top three favorite seed catalogues are Richters Herbs, West Coast Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange. I hope to grow the tomato 'Valentine' again this year. Its a 2018 AAS winner and definitely the sweetest red cherry tomato.”

• Sunshine Farm *Catalog Upon Request

“My favourite top three seed catalogues are Sunshine Farm, Seed Savers Exchange, West Coast Seeds. I'm trying two fun things this year. One is a small ornamental grass called 'Bunny Tails' which has panicles like little powder puffs. The other is cucamelons, which are a very cute and novel cucumber.”

• T & T Seeds

"My favorite places to buy seeds from are T & T Seeds (Manitoba,Canada), Halifax Seeds (Nova Scotia) and Florabunda (Ontario). I’ve been thinking about growing a crazy children's garden in our front yard. We have two school bus stops at our house and it would be fun to grow some giant fall crops in time for back to school. Oversized pumpkins, cabbages, a whacky gourd arch, etc. It would be super fun to see their reactions! Maybe I'll encourage a couple of future gardeners.”

•  Veseys Seeds

•  William Dam Seeds

Online Only Favorites

•  American Meadows

• Applewood Seed Company

• BBB Seed

• Bear Creek Farm

• Bonnie Plants

• Chauly's Favorite Seeds

• Clear Creek Seeds

• Dutch Grown

• Eden Brother's

• Ed Hume Seeds

• Ferry-Morse

• Floret Flower Farm

“My favorite place to buy bulbs and seeds from is Floret Flowers. I’m most excited about growing pink and burgundy dahlias in my Minnesota garden summer!”

• Fruition Seeds

• GrowJoy

• Harvesting History

• Henry Fields Seed & Nursery Co.

• High Country Gardens

• Longfield Gardens

• Mary's Heirloom Seeds

• MIgardener

“My favorite places to buy seeds are MIgardener, West Coast Seeds and Hudson Valley Seed Co. I’m always excited to try new varieties of tomatoes. This year, I’m excited to try ‘Kellogg’s Breakfast’ and ‘Black Krim’. I’m also looking forward to trying out my herbal tea garden kit from MIgardener!”

• Monrovia

• Nichols Garden Nursery

• Open Circle Seeds

• Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply

"I most often go with Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply and Seed Saver's Exchange. I also enjoy Baker Creek because of the great variety of organic, heirloom seeds and commitment to seeing our seed heritage preserved. That means a lot to me. What I'm most excited about this year isn't a vegetable from one of these seed catalogs, as much as I love them. We plan to take cuttings from wild blueberry and wild elderberry to propagate and plant on our quarter acre property. I can't wait!"

• Pepper Joe's

• Proven Winners

• Reimer Seeds

• Renee's Garden

"One of my favorite seed companies is Renee's Garden. I love their unique varieties that are often not found elsewhere and they are particularly good if you're looking for smaller vegetables and herb varieties suited to containers. I also like Johnny's Seeds and Select Seeds. They are an an excellent source for interesting flowers. I'm excited to grow 'Kiwi Blue' Cerinthe . Few flowers bring me more joy than sweet peas, which I will grow at least 10 varieties of. This year I'm especially excited to grow several dwarf tomatoes (full-size tomatoes that grow on smaller plants) from the Dwarf Tomato Project led by Craig LeHoullier. I'm going to dedicate a raised bed to trying out several varieties with a goal of having a larger range of tomatoes throughout the season."

• Roundstone Native Seeds

• Sample Seeds

• Secret Seed Cartel

"My favorites are Secret Seed Cartel, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Baker's Creek. This year I'm extra excited that we're working on a woodland garden to grow goldenseal, ginseng, bloodroot & other forest herbs & flowers native to our area. We're also going to try some new mushroom varieties. I'm planting a milkweed patch My grandpa-in-law made a little milkweed garden just for my kids when they were little. I would love to make a little spot in memory of him & do our part to help the monarchs as well. I'm a sucker for ALL the heirloom tomatoes (no pun intended!), but really looking forward to trying 'West Virginia Penitentiary' tomato. I had beautiful seedlings last time I started them, but a surprise late frost got them during the hardening process."

• SeedsNow

• Seeds Of Change

• Salt Spring Seeds

• Seed Mail

• Sustainable Seed Company

• Swallowtail Garden Seeds

• Victory Seeds *Catalog with payment

"Two websites I enjoy are Victory Seeds and Chauly’s Favorite Seeds. Favorite seed catalogs are Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange and Southern Exposure. The two new tomatoes that I’m trying this year are ‘Dester’ and ‘Amana Orange’."

• Star Roses & Plants

• Wild Boar Farms

“My favorite places to buy seeds are Wild Boar Farms and Baker Creek. I'm really excited to grow 'Barry’s Crazy' cherry tomato, 'Brad’s Atomic Grape' tomato and also 'Blue Boar Berries' tomatoes.”

What Others Are Saying

“My favorite catalog is Baker Creek’s big boy catalog. I’m really excited to grow some 'Paul Robeson' tomatoes.”

“I'm very excited to grow the 'Dark Galaxy' tomato & 'Sugar Rush Peach' hot peppers from Baker's Creek.”

“My favorite seed catalog is Baker Creek Seeds. I’m really excited to grow 'Brad’s Atomic Grape' tomato. Tomatoes are my favorite vegetables to grow. I'm also looking forward to trying 'Napa Chardonnay Blush' tomato this year as well as 'Climbing Triple Crop' tomato. A few other new things that I'm super excited to try this year are snake beans, cucamelons, and ground cherries."

“My favorite seed catalog is Baker Creek! I got Moringa seeds from the #superduperseedswap on Instagram and I can’t wait to plant them.”

“I like to shop for summer bulbs at local nurseries, Home Depot and Tractor Supply. I’m excited to grow some daffodils, tulips and also sets of onion bulbs!”

“My favorite places to buy bulbs and plants are Home Depot and Costco. I absolutely love growing paperwhites!”

"My favorite seed catalog is Baker's Creek because they test and sell heirloom varieties. I also love Strictly Medicinals Seeds because they specialize in medicinal herbs. I just ordered a TON of seeds from both companies because we are starting an herb farm here on our new homestead!"

“My favorite companies are Renee’s Garden, Baker Creek & Johnny’s Select Seeds. I’m looking forward to growing ‘Japanese Black Trifele’, ‘Aunt Ruby’s German Green’ and ‘Sungold’ tomatoes.”

I think it’s pretty clear that we all love Bakers Creek! I was completely blown away with just how many responses there were mentioning them. They really do have such unique varieties of seeds and excellent customer service. I have to admit, I love getting those free seed packets they provide in every order. I’m always excited to see what variety I get!

I want to give a big thank you to all the wonderful bloggers, farmers and growers who took the time to contribute to this post. You all are the best! I love meeting other folks who are just as passionate about digging in the dirt as I am.

Do you have favorite place to purchase from? What are you most looking forward to growing this upcoming season? Also, feel free to include any great company I may have missed. Until spring gets here, I hope you are enjoying planning the most fabulous gardens!