It’s that time of year- time to think about ordering and starting seeds! This is one of the most fun and exciting parts of gardening if you ask me. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to find a trustworthy seed supplier, though. Here at The Garden Glove, we have several favorite garden seed catalogs and suppliers, and we update this list every January. I’m excited to share this updated list for 2024 to help you with your seed starting season.
Ok gardening friends, let’s get into it! This year, I’ve decided to further split up this post to help you find which seed suppliers are best for you. First, I want to give a few shout-outs to my favorites, our top 10 seed catalogs for 2024. Then, we’ll get into the seed suppliers that still mail out print catalogs (more than you would think!) and other online garden supply and seed stores. See below for quick links to any of these sections you may want to check out first:
Table of contents
The Best Seed Catalogs & Seed Suppliers of 2024
I usually order online, but some of these have excellent seed catalogs that you have to see in person. Log onto their websites and request their catalogs today to have seeds in time for spring planting! I’ve also included some of our favorite choices for buying live plants online at the end. And now on to our list of the best 2023 garden seed catalogs!
1. The very best seed catalog: The Baker Creek Seeds / Rare Seeds Catalog
From the second you open their website, you can tell everything Rare Seeds puts out is going to be beautiful, from the heirloom vegetables to the seed catalog. Rare Seeds specializes in rare, heirloom variety seeds. It’s so fun looking through their website to find new varieties you’ve never seen before.
Not only do they still publish a seed catalog, but they publish two! They have a “Rare Seeds Catalog” that you can request for free, and then they have the “Whole Seed Catalog.” Each are stunning, but you can tell from reviews the Whole Seed Catalog is more like a work of art or a well made coffee table book than a catalog. It features beautiful photography as well as extended information about all the incredible varieties of flowers, fruits, and vegetables that fill its pages.
2. TGG’s go-to seed source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnny’s Selected Seeds had to make the list. This is another one of my favorite go-to sources for seeds because I know whatever I’m looking for- they’ll have it! Not only do they have an extensive seed catalog, they have lots of tips and resources there as well. Johnny’s seeds has a longstanding reputation as a quality company in the gardening community. Oh, and it’s an employee owned company!
3. Burpee Seed Catalog
Burpee has always had one of the most colorful catalogs, and a wide selection of seeds. They are especially good at their vegetable selections, so all you veggie gardeners, take note! Their new varieties are the ones to beat each year! Besides Burpee’s seeds, they also offer plants and garden supplies. Their 2024 seed catalog looks like it’s full of fun new varieties I’d love to try out!
4. Park Seed
One of the most popular garden seed catalogs is Park Seed. They always have a great selection of both flower and vegetable seeds, and some great herbs as well. Prices are affordable, and seed packets have plenty of seeds. Seed is always fresh, and we get good to excellent germination rates from them. Shipping is fast, usually just a couple of days from order to in my mailbox! Highly recommended. They also offer some live plants as well.
5. For Asian varieties: Kitazawa Seed / True Leaf Market
Here’s an update since last year: Kitazawa seed is now sold exclusively by True Leaf Market. If you love Asian cuisines, you’ll want to check out this seed brand. Now sold through True Leaf Market, Kitazawa seed specializes in unique Asian seed varieties you won’t find anywhere else. You can still a physical copy of their catalog, don’t worry!
6. A non profit online seed source: Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers is a non profit company that is a wonderful source of information on heirloom and open pollinated seed, as well as one of the top suppliers for such seeds. Not only does the free catalog list all their seeds, their sites educates us on why it is important to save heirloom varieties. This is a time honored company and trusted company worth looking into if you wish to preserve our heritage plants!
7. Select Seeds
If you grow flowers and want antique varieties your grandmother grew, Select Seeds is the place. I love the idea of nostalgia in the garden…so did Thomas Jefferson, one of the most eminent gardeners in our country’s history. This is one of our favorite garden seed catalogs!
8. Pinetree Garden Seeds
Pinetree Garden Seeds is a favorite amongst home gardeners. They specialize in smaller packets for the average home gardener, at smaller prices. Most of us will never need the hundreds of seeds in the average seed packet, so why pay for it? They have a good selection, fast shipping and good customer service. And yep, they still have a print catalog you can request!
9. If you want to buy from a co-op: Fedco Seeds
Fedco is a seed cooperative, meaning it is owned by gardeners and employees, not an individual. It also happens to specialize in cold hardy seeds… So all of you who live in the Northeast, (or a cold climate like it) here is your resource!
10. Harris Seeds
Established in 1879, Harris Seeds has been providing quality seeds for a long time now. They offer multiple free print catalogs, including a home gardener catalog, vegetable and flower catalog, as well as an ornamentals catalog.
More companies that still have print seed catalogs
Set on having a print version to flip through? I get that, there’s something so fun about curling up with a seed catalog while it’s still too cold to garden out. In my opinion, it’s one of best ways to enjoy your gardening hobby over the winter. Here are more seed sources that offer print catalogs.
11. For non GMO, organic seeds: Annie’s Heirloom Seeds
Annie’s carries both flower and vegetable seeds, and has fast shipping if you are anxious to get started! Annies’s Heirloom Seeds has over 600 varieties of Non-GMO, organic heirloom seeds. We are big believers these days in organic foods, and we love anything that carries a history with it. There is both a downloadable and hard copy version of their catalog, though the 2024 seed catalog download would not work for me.
12. Seeds from Italy
Our last seed supplier with a print catalog is a specialty seed agent in the U.S. for the oldest family owned Italian seed company. Seeds from Italy sells gourmet vegetable seed for those who want authentic Italian cuisine. They have over 500 varieties, many of which are certified organic. And best of all, they have recipes for their vegetables too! This is a great choice for any gardener looking to “spice it up” a bit this year.
13. Gurney’s
New to the list this year, Gurney’s offers fruit, vegetable, herb, and flower seeds as well as an impressive variety of ready-to-plant perennials. They’ve been around since 1866, so you know they know a thing or two about putting together a good seed catalog.
Quick links to request 2024 seed catalogs:
- Rare Seeds
- Johnny’s Seeds
- Park Seed
- Kitazawa Seed
- Select Seeds
- Burpee
- Pinetree Garden Seeds
- Fedco Seeds
- Annie’s Heirloom Seeds
- Seed Saver’s Exchange
- Seeds From Italy
- Gurney’s
- Harris Seeds
Online seed sources:
sometimes the convenience of hopping on your laptop real quick and making a few… ok a lot of impulse seed purchases is what you really need. These online seed stores are perfect for just that!
14. Our favorite online flower seed supplier: Eden Brothers
Eden brothers is one of my go-to sources for seeds and bulbs of any kind. I’m a bit partial to them because that’s where I ordered one of my favorite garden purchases- saffron crocus corms. I’ll have to do a whole post on that because growing your own saffron at home is just too cool.
They have a massive variety of flower seeds (650 varieties to be exact) and flower bulbs (600 different varieties). While they don’t offer a print catalog, they digital catalogs that narrow in on different categories. I like that because it makes it a bit easier to stay organized. And guess what? You can get 10% off by clicking below.
15. The online seed store for the best shopping experience: Plant Gem
Plant Gem is a fun one. They don’t have the widest variety of seeds and bulbs, but you can tell they put a lot of effort into curating a collection of just their favorite varieties to offer for sale. The founders set out to offer “Curated, unexpected, beautiful plants plus perfect accessories and a friendly vibe,” and I’d say the’ve succeeded. One of my favorite parts about their site is their themed seed kits- shop for a dye garden kit, or just have some fun and shop by your zodiac sign. Their photography is gorgeous, seed kits unique and fun, and it overall just makes for some really fun online shopping.
I need to give them a special shout out, too because this is where I bought ordered the corms for my favorite flower I’ve grown- butterfly ranunculus (pictured above). They even sell pre-sprouted ranunculus now, and they’re the only seller I know of does this!
16. For an eclectic mix of seeds and more: Hudson Valley Seeds
Hudson Valley Seeds sells flower seeds, vegetable seeds, bulbs, tubers, and… art! This is a great one-stop shop for seeds, bulbs, and lots of gardening supplies and tools. They no longer have a mailed catalog, but there is a digital version!
17. Renee’s Garden Seeds
Renee’s Garden Seeds has grown into one of the most trusted suppliers of seeds for organic and heirloom varieties… So if you crave a little history with your salad, this is the spot for you!
18. Nichols Garden Nursery
Nichols Garden Nursery is a family owned business that has a stellar reputation for quality and customer service. They do not sell any seed that has been genetically modified, and they specialize in fine and rare seeds, herbs and goods for the gardener cook. Love their amazing selection!
19. Swallowtail Garden Seeds
Last but not lease, we have Swallowtail Garden Seeds. They offer a variety of flower, vegetable and herb seeds in small quantities for home gardeners. And, you can rest assured ordering from Swallowtail because they have a year long money back guarantee.
20. Buy from Other Gardeners!
You’ve probably thought about sharing seeds with your gardener friends, but what about buying seeds from other gardeners through online platforms? That’s right, you can actually find some really cool, unique plants and seeds on sites like Etsy and Ebay where other gardeners enjoy sharing their passion by selling their prized seeds. This can be a bit less reliable, but the gamble is part of the fun in my opinion
Where to buy plants online
A great source for top quality gardening plants, especially bulbs, is Dutch Gardens. They’ve been around for ages!
Burpee also has a large selection of plants, from vegetable & herbs to perennials & flowers.
If you want to order top quality, affordable perennials and shrubs, I highly recommend Bluestone Perennials. I have ordered from them again and again, and never been disappointed. Check their internet specials often!
White Flower Farms has top of the line plants for decent prices, and partners with the like of Family Circle and BHG.
Terrain is a fun source for beautiful, unique potted plants, especially if you’re looking for decorative house plants. They have a lot of trees that are meant for indoor growing, including some citrus and olive trees.
And believe it or not, you can get some decent plants, bulbs & seeds from Amazon!
Looking for indoor plants? Three of our favorite sources are The Sill, Urban Stems, Horti and Bloomscape.
Where to buy gardening supplies online
If you are in need of any gardening tools or supplies, (seed starting kits, grow lights, greenhouse accessories, garden tools, even fertilizers!) we’ve put together a few lists on Amazon:
And again, Burpee has a huge selection of gardening supplies.
Be sure and check out our post on Top Garden Tools!
No longer on the list?
In case there was something you were looking for that does not appear on the list now, here are the couple names that have been removed:
- Seeds of Change: no longer exists, and I could not find out what happened there
- Baker Creek Seeds: now only goes by the name “Rare Seeds” which is on our list, so check it out if that’s the one you were looking for!
Whether online or with a print catalog, enjoy your seed shopping!
We hope you enjoyed our list of our favorite seed companies and what we think are the best 2024 garden seed catalogs! I try to improve the list every year, so let me know what you think needs to be added. As you get ready for seed starting season, check out our guide to starting seeds indoors. Itching for some gardening activities you can do now? Learn to force bulbs indoors, or consider setting up a DIY indoor greenhouse... or go all out with a DIY greenhouse for your backyard!
I live on the outskirts of Columbia, SC, and used to really enjoy a Saturday at Park Seeds. But, they have closed their doors to visitors and now do everything through the mail or internet. Wandering the aisles in their building would cause just about anyone to buy something to take home and plant. I can understand that compacting a business by getting rid of certain things and eliminating positions might mean greater profits, but if everyone does that where will all the displaced folks find work? I also enjoy looking through printed catalogs, but I suppose those days are soon to be gone as well. While I agree that internet ordering is easy and efficient, it may not be that way for everyone. Some areas of the country still have no internet service other than dial-up and that is not viable for doing business. As for trees, lumber companies plant more than they cut so that is a non-issue. I noticed that several seed companies did not make your list; among them Gurney’s, a company I have done a fair amount of business with. I really think that all of the companies have a loyal following and are all trying to provide good seeds and plants to their customer base. I would be willing to buy from any of them.
Good list but where is Baker Creek? Admittedly some seeds for rare varieties may be a bit pricey but what a selection of heirloom seeds! A lot of hard to find stuff. I always recommend them to other gardeners if they’ve never heard of them. Doing my part to spread heirloom love!
Baker Creek is the first one on the list.
I know Roberta’s Garden sells mainly on television but I think people should know about my experience with them so they DO NOT purchase from them. I ordered an offering of over 300 spring flowering bulbs costing well over $100 three years ago. We had a severe winter and only 3 or 4 bulbs produced plants. When I called I was told that color selection was not available, but would be shipped when available. Nothing ever came. I called in the fall; but,again nothing ever arrived. Finally this past spring after more phone calls 80 hyacinth arrived (which deer ate), but no more bulbs came. I called again in late spring to find out when the rest of the bulds would be shipped. Amazingly the bulbs had been shipped that very day. It’s now the middle of February and nothing has arrived. They don’t give refunds and evidentally don’t honor their replacement policy. As I said earlier DO NOT order from them!
Love burpee seeds and all hope get a catolog
Good list I like smaller too- in Co heirloommountain.com gives the fastest shipping with good rates. You can’t beat ‘em in quality
I’m looking forward to getting the seed catalogs.
Park seed company is one of the worst seed catalogs to buy from. Horrible selection and super expensive. Try Harris or rupp
WOUld like to get catalogs from these companies where do I order from
Click on the links for any of the companies you are interested in, and you will be taken to their catalog page.
Hi, I am excited about your article. I want to be ready for spring. Can you please place us on your mailing list. I saw were you have 12 catalogues regarding seeds,gardening,plants,flowers,tools and other needs.
Sincerely,
Mrs.Tanya Glascoe
We don’t handle the catalogs ourselves, if you go to the post and see the links with each company and click on those links, you will be taken to their catalog pages!
Kathy and Steve, thank you for taking the time to do the research. Did you come across seed companies that have acclimated several of their seeds to high temperatures and humidity??
I farm in Deep South Texas on the coast. I would order several seeds from Johnnys but when they claim heat tolerant, I don’t think they mean Texas heat tolerant.
I would appreciate your in put.
Park Seed shipped my plants in a sea of styrofoam peanuts, I’ll never order again from them, additionally, they seem to have somewhat reasonable prices, but some of the quantities are unreasonably small along with germination issues . Pinetree shipped plants to me with paper padding – they will see my business again! ‘Pinetree and SeedSavers have great selections!
Where the bleep is Baker Creek?! Admittedly expensive seeds, but lovely exotic selection.
Hi Kathy, You’ve got a great list. All garden stores here
I like the Burper catalogue so I buy something from them every year. Somethings, Tangerine Dream sweet peppers we’re good. Plants performed as advertised.
Somethings not so good like a supposed mini perennial hibiscus that wasn’t. Reading product reviews helps.
Many reputable seed companies offer high-quality seeds. Generally, each has a specialty and operates with slightly different principles and objectives. Amkha Seed is a family owned seed company in Colorado offering over 1300 open-pollinated heirloom and unusual seed varieties. Our primary focus is on providing non-patented and unrestricted seeds suitable for breeding, adapting, and seed-saving. We also support the Open Source Seed Initiative which encourages the free use of plant genetics and are dedicated to helping to preserve genetic diversity that’s been threatened by industrialized agriculture. We currently offer more than twenty OSSI pledged varieties, with new varieties added often. In addition, all new varieties in development through our traditional breeding efforts have been pledged to be released under the OSSI license as they are made available. This is to help ensure that the genetics remain in the public domain for future generations of breeders. https://www.amkhaseed.com
I live in Las Vegas, NV. Last year I burned up more plants than I want to remember. We bought a home with no landscaping. We do have a large lemon tree and 6 desert plants with flowers once a year. I have two rose plants. The wind blows so hard all my plants were blown off the porch and deck. Help!!
One of the things people don’t realize when they move to an extreme area is that even if technically some plants can take the heat, other conditions like wind, etc can zap them. The best thing to do is find a local expert or nursery, because they know what works and what doesn’t. And believe them when they tell you “you can’t grow that here”. There are a couple of really good books on Amazon, just search “desert gardening”. Good luck!
You are SO right! We relocated to another state several years ago. I am not new to gardening at all, but I am new to gardening in the high desert. Plants that love the summer day heat have to first survive till it comes around, as we have cool springs with very cold nights some seasons, and others that take off like a shot and start summer weather when other climates are barely getting the winter sleep out of their eyes. Worse than that, there can be lovely warm..even hot.. days to get them going, then have a killing frost in June, or after a hot summer, get one in mid September…then leave you to your disappointment over late veggies you counted on for fall harvest being killed just when they are coming on. It’s horrible! The only way to survive it is gro houses and raised beds or green houses..and they better be up off the ground, because the sage rats will eat your stuff from underneath, and everything else from up top.. like the badgers that age my two foot tall broccolini..Grrrr!
Nonsense on that “saving trees” claim. The paper industry, at least in the USA, uses highly sustainable growing techniques. They actually plant MORE pulp trees than are consumed each year. Nothing will ever replace the tactile joy and convenience of a PAPER seed catalog, especially in winter, when one can read it in bed (using no electricity) or in the bathroom. I favor those companies that keep up this tradition, and I buy from them to vote with my wallet.
lost a catalog that had pages marked like ” for dry and poor soil” “shade” etc. cannot find it any where, do you recognize it> it was a smaller catalog.
Not sure, but have you tried High Country Gardens? https://www.highcountrygardens.com/
Great list and sad to read about Thomson and Morgan.
Although a significant update is sheduled, http://www.saltspringnursery.com is an easily navigated, new website. This west coast nursery has been growing organically for over 7 years. Annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses and starting fruits and vegetable seeds. Plant material is shipped locally at this time. A downloadable online catalogue is in the works. Have enjoyed reading your website!
Hi! I mentioned this post in my article on ‘January in the garden,’ published in the Willapa Harbor Herald (south west WA State) on 1.4.2017. I will also be posting the article to my blog, Real Food & Scandalous Gardening Secrets next week, Wednesday or later, and then sharing it around facebook. If you would like a PDF of the article as published, let me know by e-mail and I will send it along. Thanks for the great post!
Thx so much for the mention!
In your blog titled “Top 12 Garden Seed Catalogs – 2016” you have listed #10 as “Cook’s Garden”. I have been attempting to find some seeds that I love from “The Cook’s Garden” and in that search indications are “The Cook’s Garden” was sold and is no longer in business. If in fact I have been misled, please let me know as the seeds I bought produced spectacularly and specifically the ‘Mila’ variety pickling cucumber!! Many thanks.
Hi Gary! We did a little research, and it appears that Cooks Garden was bought by Burpee over 10 years ago, but they just now integrated it into their website instead of maintaining separate ones. You can find many of the old Cooks Garden Seeds at http://www.burpee.com/cooks-garden/?#fromcooksgarden
Hope that helps!
hey!
can anyone advise how to get an online seed catalog for those best seed companies you mentioned?
am outside USA and Canada, So its hard to get a hard copy of it.
thanks
Cooker
All of those sites have their catalogs online at their websites!
Hi!
I think you need to add http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/ to your list. They have a very broad range of annuals. I have made an informal comparison of seed prices 2016 on my website. And there a loads of more seed companies out there.
Good luck all with your seeds!
Are there any that you specifically don’t recommend?
Readers?
I have bought Park Seeds for many years, but this year received mislabeled seeds that totally wrecked my 6-month plan to grow all the flowers for my daughter’s wedding. Both of the seed packets were labeled as white Lisianthus, yet they turned out to be dark pink when blooms began opening one week before the wedding. A refund of the price of seeds seemed inadequate when purchasing cut flowers to replace them cost 12 times as much as the seeds had. Will use this list to find other companies to purchase from next time-thanks.
Thx for sharing your experience Lulu!
Park Seed is horrible!
I ordered 6 packs of seeds (all in stock) and an indoor seed starting tray on April 28. On Thu, May 7, they sent a notice the starter tray and 1 package of seeds shipped UPS ground so that’s a week. They separately shipped 1 more package of seeds via USPS on the same day (Thu, May 7). Well actually, they didn’t put that 1 package of seeds in the USPS. They printed a label for that 1 package of seeds. The seeds didn’t actually ship until 5 days later (Tue, 12-May). The starter tray and 1 package of seeds arrived on 14-May. Ok, fair enough, there is a pandemic.
BUT, what about the other 4 packages of seeds???? I received a notice on Fri, 15-May, those were shipping via USPS. Well actually, not all 4, just 3 of the 4 packages. That’s almost 3 weeks to ship a package of seeds…a package of seeds!!!! AND they’ve already shipped TWO things to me!
But wait, the 3 packages of seeds didn’t actually SHIP via USPS, Park Seed simply printed a label on Friday, 15-May. Today, 18-May, nothing has shipped. I also don’t know whether my final package of seeds will ever ship or how they will ship.
I’ve sent emails and the company is completely unresponsive.
I don’t know if anyone else has mentioned this already, but I was saddened to read earlier today that Thompson & Morgan sold their U.S. seed business. It has shrunk to a shadow of its former self, changed hands again, and shipped un-dated packets with very poor germination, according to some people in other forums. I think they probably aren’t reliable anymore unless you are in the U.K. (Alas.)
That IS heartbreaking news!
Two suggestions:
For the Midwest: Jungs Seed Company, Randolph, WI – an old standard, very reliable, and also the replacement for the Olds Seed Company – wonderful catalogue and super fingerling potatoes – I had a wonderful bumper crop last year.
Stokes Seeds: Extremely professional – I have visited their gardens outside of Niagra Falls.
I too love the Jungs company catalogs/online for ordering my starter plants. The only issue I have ever had with them is since I live in Washington state, they will not or can not ship any seed potatoes here. Which is very bothersome for many of us whom love this company for reliable, reputable seed potatoes.
Do you know of a company who will ship seed (starter) potatoes to Washington state?
Or should I say “Can ship or is allowed to ship” seed potatoes to Washington state? I am not sure if there is a rule or law which forbids the shipping of seed potatoes to my state or not and not sure where I would even look to find out that information to be honest.
Thank you for all the great advice and information you provide, I look forward to reading your articles.
Hi Christy! We are in eastern Wa. ourselves, and had not heard of problems having seed potatoes shipped! You could try using NW seed companies, such s the ones here in this list… http://www.grownorthwest.com/2011/01/the-list-northwest-seed-companies/
Hope that helps!
Stokes Seed often has larkspur and other varieties of seed that I broadcast, in single-color packets. I prefer this to color mixes. They didn’t have a good selection this year, but Annie’s did.In fact, Annie’s may have stolen my heart with their amazing selection of flower, herb, and vegetable selection.
Twilley seed in hodges sc still has the paper catalogs. They have flowers and vegtables
I am really surprised I am not seeing Johnny’s Select seeds on here, they are so good:
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/
I agree Claudine, thx for suggesting them!
On the list this year!
Agree! One of my go to’s. The other is Territorial Seeds out of Oregon. They never disapoint! I’ve had bad luck with ordering from Burpees too.
We love Bakers Creek catalog. It is a company dedicated to preserving heirloom non GMO seeds from all over the world. Their catalog is very informative and interesting, as well as beautiful.
Seed Savers located in Ottumwa, Iowa is a non profit source for sharing and saving heirloom seeds. http://www.seedsavers.org
Also Seeds from Italy is just a great source. http://www.growitalian.com/
I’d like to see some seed suppliers that sell heirloom, non GMO or organic seeds.
How about this company?
http://www.seedsofchange.com/productlanding.aspx
We do know of seeds for change, and they are a great company for organic seeds!
We love Osborne Seeds (www.osborneseed.com) which just happens to be located locally. Great choices for Northwest gardeners as their field trials are in our farmland. Used by lots of local farmers, organic and non-organic. Their web site is definitely worth a look.
Thanks for the recommendation Sue! We’ll check it out.