Where should I shop for seeds?
Shopping for seeds is one of the funnest parts of being a gardener!
There’s nothing like flipping through a brightly-colored catalog, imagining all the wonderful things that you could grow!
Before I list my favorite seed catalogs, I want to mention:
it’s less sexy, but local seed swaps and buying your seeds locally is an important part of building plant resilience in the local ecosystem. By keeping seeds local, you get “regionally adapted” varieties that perform better in the specific conditions of your area. This is especially important in the era of climate change, where we need plant evolution to keep up with the rapidly-changing conditions of our planet. Nature has always been smarter than we are, and we honor her by believing that the seeds she’s allowed to thrive in your region are the best ones to grow here!
That said, gardening is meant to be FUN, and not all areas have vibrant seed-swapping scenes like my area does. Happy shopping! (oh, and if you’re wondering which seeds to choose? click here.)
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
Baker Creek is a reputable seed company, and has (hands down!) the best seed catalog around. It features seeds for more types of plants than you knew existed, helpful information about each of them, and even some entertaining historical anecdotes.
You can request their standard catalog for free on their website, or pay for their full catalog. As the queen of the cheapskates, I’m telling you this: order the full catalog at least once. The standard catalog is wonderful, and you’ll be happy. But the full catalog is a gorgeous spectacle—closer to a coffee table book than a catalog. If you order it for no other reason, order it for the sheer thrill of learning about the wide variety of plants that Mother Nature has to offer. It’s my favorite way to spend a snowy day, second only to ripping open an envelope of newly-arrived seeds. CATALOG
MiGardener
MiGardener is a Michigan-based small business offering inexpensive seeds in locally-tested varieties. He has a good YouTube channel where he explains his gardening strategies and teaches about different plants. But the most unbeatable part? Most of his seed packets are only $2. CATALOG
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnny’s is a highly reputable, organic and non-GMO seed supplier. They are 100% employee-owned too! Johnny’s features a wide variety of seeds and supplies, but they also have a Grower’s Library—an online source for tons of information, videos, resources, and more to answer all of your food-growing questions. CATALOG
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply (GrowOrganic.com)
Note: Peaceful Valley is in California! Make special note of the approved growing zones—their plants are adapted for a warm climate. Nevertheless, many of their plant offerings are approved for a variety of growing zones. They also have fruit trees and shrubs! And their Education Center is top-notch!