Who doesn’t love those Free Seed Catalogs– right!?!
*Updated 1/30/24*
They can fast forward the time to lush summer gardens without that pesky weeding. Their pages are saturated with possibility and so much incandescent color inspiring us to dream a little bigger, a little bolder, a little MORE each year.
Looking for help planning your Vegetable Garden?
I’ve got a FREE Garden Design Class on my You Tube Channel!
And dreaming is an important part of gardening for me – so of course I want to share that with you! There are a surprising number of well established Organic and Heirloom seed companies. Turns out there are almost as many seed companies out there as there are ways to plant those seeds. And after a while you find what fits best for you.
I’ve gathered my favorite Free seed catalogs, and online links for ordering those beauties, along with the accompanying online versions for those that want to stay paper free. There’s a bit about each of the companies to hopefully inspire YOU to dream big – but purchase responsibly – with an eye to saving more seed each year. For more on saving Seeds and local Seed Libraries, check out my earlier Post on just that.
Botanical Interests
WEBSITE
Request Free Seed Catalog HERE
Recently acquired by EPIC Gardening, Botanical Interests was started 25 years ago and they are sticking to their motto of inspiring and educating gardeners.
I adore their seed packets. They are by far the most beautiful, illustrated with Botanical art with and the most informative. I read somewhere that most gardeners get their ‘how to’ info right from seed packet (which puts me in my place – ha!) another reason to choose these packets if you’re new to the garden game.
I adore their flower selection, from Hungarian Bread Poppies, Mexican Sunflowers and Bachelor Buttons and had great luck with their Sugar Magnolia snap peas and Calliope Carrots as well!
High Mowing Organic Seeds
WEBSITE
Request Free Seed Catalog HERE
As their name implies, you’ll find only Organic Seeds here. I have been consistently satisfied with their seed stock from germination to disease resistance- which is exactly what comes from growing seeds organically (and not coddling them with chemicals).
They take educating gardeners and farmers seriously, and did a great Joe Gardener podcast called Why Buy Organic Seeds with Joe L’Ampl of Growing a Greener World. Their seed catalog is extra enticing to me, I’m going to have to control myself. I especially love their microgreen seeds, pea shoots and arugula are some of my favorites. I also have great luck with their Midori Edamame and many of their herb seeds.
Johnny’s Selected Seed
WEBSITE
Request Free Seed Catalog HERE
These guys have a huge inventory of seeds and sell more F1 hybrids than the other seed companies I’ve mentioned, they also grow lots of heirloom seeds that germinate well. There are some things that I do prefer to grow that are hybrids, or things that, as a Nothern gardener, I just can’t get to overwinter to set seed (looking at your cole crops) and Johnny’s is usually where I buy those from (Bellstar Broccoli, Graffiti Cauliflower, Veronica Romanesco). They are also 100% employee owned, which you gotta love!
Seed Savers Exchange
WEBSITE
Request Free Seed Catalog HERE
SSE holds a special place in my heart and garden, and the only seed farm I’ve visited. I wrote another blog post about these grass roots people and their love and stewardship of so many rare seeds. They grow most of their seeds out on Heritage Farm just outside of Decorah, Iowa. Worth a visit to one of their events, especially the annual Conference + campout!
Their seed catalog shares seed stories and recipes, and does an amazing job of welcoming you into their community.
Seed Savers Exchange is also where I’ve gotten some of my favorite seeds that I save annually (Glass Gem, Tiger’s Eye, Borage, Cilantro, Wisconsin Lakes Bell Peppers, Black Hungarian Peppers, Winter Density Romaine). When you buy from them you are helping save seeds for future gardeners, which is becoming more important each year!
Southern Exposure
WEBSITE
Request Free Catalog HERE
Southern Exposure is a well-loved small seed company that grows most of their seed in Virginia, a little further south than I usually like, but these guys grow great seed! They have a history of helping others save seeds and other great growing guides on their website. Their seed catalog is a fun mix of illustrations and photos. I also got to meet one of their leaders, Ira, at the Seed Savers Exchange Seed Swap. She was a joy to meet and talk with. Owning that I had a fan girl moment 😊!
After hearing about all those seed catalogs, you might be ready to jump in but don’t know exactly how or where. Check out some of the local gardening resources, under HomeGrown Garden Resources. And, if you’re ready to get growing I’ve got a Seed Starting 101 article to take through step by step!
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is no longer on my recommended list because of the way they conduct business. From Linda Black Elk, member of the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Lakota Nations and Food Sovereignty Coordinator at United Tribes Technical College:
* Baker Creek has been confronted by Indigenous, Black, Asian, and many others for their use of white supremacist dog whistle language.
* They have been confronted for taking seeds from Indigenous communities and re-naming them. This is Indigenous erasure.
**UPDATES** Since I first wrote this piece a few years ago, I’ve added more eco friendly Seed Companies to my favorites list:
Experimental Farm Network – The seed stock is growing just as fast as the social justice side of the company. I recently interviewed the co-owners for a Northern Gardener Magazine article.
Territorial Seed Company – I started with their root crops and found my favorite white beet, Avalanche here!
North Circle Seeds
Fruition Seeds
And there’s another way to share seeds, and what you think of them from Seed Linked, find out what they’re about HERE.
What seed companies do you love that I didn’t mention? Do you have any other seed catalog tips?
Looking forward to Digging In again,
Michelle
Hello, if you click on the links to any of the seed companies you can see where to request their catalogs. I, as Forks in the Dirt, just donate seeds to my local seed library and seed swaps. I do currently (until 1/20/21) have a seed giveaway on my instagram and facebook though, feel free to enter there!
-Michelle
Do you publish paper seed catalogs that you can send out?
Hello! Sorry I missed this, I’m not a seed seller, just send to my seed libraries and swaps, but thanks for asking- happy growing!
-Michelle
I love Victory Seeds. They are true stewards of heirloom vegetables and also are involved with the Dwarf
Tomato Project which are great open pollinated options for seed saving enthusiasts. Thanks! Will Garnes garnabeeg@yahoo.com
Hello Will, sorry I missed your comment earlier. Victory Seeds is another great seed company, Craig Lehoullier (sp?) is quite the tomato breeder isn’t he!!?
-Michelle