For some, gardening season is over once fall and winter roll around and your garden is put to bed. For others, like me, it’s just getting started. No, I don’t mean digging around in the snow. I’m talking about the eagerly anticipated arrival of seed catalogs! The gardeners equivalent of the Sears Catalog, it’s a cherished reminder that spring will indeed come again. With each glossy page promising a kaleidoscope of vibrant blooms, luscious vegetables, and fragrant herbs, these catalogs not only serve as a roadmap for the upcoming gardening season but also ignite a palpable sense of excitement and inspiration. The gardening season officially commences with the ritualistic perusal of these catalogs, as we dream, plan, and eagerly await the moment when our hands can finally dig into the soil and bring these visions to life.
If you’re new to gardening or the magic of seed catalogs, read on for a few of my favorite companies and their respective catalogs.
Note: I do not receive any compensation or freebies for my recommendations and it is exclusively based on my experiences.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
I’m happy to see that this company continues to grow in popularity amongst both novice and experienced gardeners. Their wide variety of heirloom and open pollinated seeds is simply incredible and I’ve always had great germination rates. They have two beautiful catalogs: this one is the free version and is a great representation of what they offer. The other one, The Whole Seed Catalog, is a massive book of over 500 pages that includes their entire collection of seeds as well as recipes, stories, and seed histories. The Whole Seed Catalog is $14.95 but, in my opinion, is a great resource, fun to read, and well worth the cost. They also offer free shipping for orders within the United States so that is an added bonus.
High Mowing Organic Seeds
I have been a fan of High Mowing Organic Seeds since I started gardening about 15 years ago. They offer over 700 varieties of heirloom, open pollinated, and hybrid seeds. I have always been impressed that they have varieties that are suitable for just about any growing situation including small spaces, hot weather, greenhouse production, etc. High Mowing’s catalog is free of charge.
Tomato Growers Supply
Tomato Growers Supply is a company that, as their name suggests, specializes in tomato seeds. They currently have over 400 different varieties of tomatoes listed, but also carry many kinds of peppers, eggplants, and other vegetables as well as herbs and some flowers. I’ve been ordering from for only a few years but I appreciate the incredible selection of both hybrid and heirloom seeds. Their free catalog can be requested here.
Victory Seeds
Two years ago, I placed my first order with the Victory Seed Company and I have been absolutely thrilled with the quality of the seeds I received. I was initially interested in their wide selection of Dwarf Tomato Project seeds, but quickly discovered different things, including peppers and cucumbers, that eventually found a place in my garden.
As a seed saver, I love that Victory Seeds is committed to offering open pollinated and heritage varieties and, as part of their mission, focuses on placing diverse cultivars into the hands of home gardeners. You can request their catalog here.
Fedco Seeds
For as lovely as the other catalogs on this list are, Fedco Seeds remains my number one favorite. This Maine-based company has a forty six year history of providing high quality seeds to both farmers and home gardeners and is truly committed to supporting sustainable agriculture. I have seen some folks complain that there are no photographs, but you don’t even miss them once you start reading the descriptions for each variety. Each category starts with general culture information like germination temperature, spacing, pests and diseases, and growing conditions.
Also worth mentioning is that there is a lot of good educational content throughout the catalog. Topics like preventing late blight, storing seeds, and using cover crops are things that all gardeners will enjoy reading. Their print catalog can be requested here.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—my top picks for the seed catalogs that make my heart skip a beat and my green thumbs twitch with excitement. As I sit here surrounded by pages filled with the promise of big blooms and abundant harvests, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the folks behind these catalogs. They’re not just selling seeds; they’re peddling possibilities, and that, my fellow garden enthusiasts, is pure magic. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or an enthusiastic newbie, these catalogs are like little packets of inspiration that sprout into something incredible in your backyard. So, grab a cup of coffee, flip through those pages, and let the daydreams of a bountiful garden take root. Happy planting!
