Here's a list of places where home gardeners can purchase vegetable, flower and herb seeds. If supply runs short, you will have plenty of options.
Though the distinction is often blurred, I've grouped them into into three major categories:
- In Store - though these vendors may offer some seeds online, they offer their biggest selections in their retail stores from a variety of seed companies.
- Seed Catalog (with Online Ordering) - these companies assemble their annual product offerings in seed catalogs typically published each winter. Many are packed with full color photos, detailed product descriptions, and helpful growing guides. All of the companies I have listed sell their seeds in their online stores, but they can also be purchased by other methods made available by each company, such as a mail-in order form. You may find their seed racks in stores, too. For instance, I find Botanical Interests seeds at my local garden center, and Burpee seeds at Home Depot.
- Online - these companies sell seeds through their online stores and do not release an annual catalog. Some also sell their seeds on seed racks in retail stores. Some online outlets are individual seed companies, while others, like Etsy and Amazon, are online marketplaces that sell seeds from a variety of vendors.
The list covers both traditional sources, such as garden centers, and some that might not be as obvious, such as historic plantations. Seed providers range in size from large national seed companies to mid-scale farms to seed banks to individuals who sell packets from their home gardens. Some specialize in specific plants or growing regions, and some sell only non-GMO, organic, heirloom, or open pollinated seeds.
This list is specifically designed for home gardeners looking to purchase individual seed packets, not wholesale seed, bulk seed, live plants or bulbs, though some companies provide those as well. Fruit seeds are limited because most fruits are purchased as live plants or bare roots. Exceptions are strawberries and melons, which are often grouped under vegetables.
I highly recommend checking out these websites and ordering some free catalogs. They are filled with fabulous photography and illustrations, growing tips, recipes, detailed product descriptions, gardener profiles, seed histories, instructional videos, and gardening supplies that you won't find in the big chain stores. You'll also find a community of passionate gardeners with whom you can connect.
Note that this is not an endorsement list, as I have only purchased seeds from a few of these companies. It is meant to be informational so that you can search, compare and decide for yourself. This list is a work in progress and will be updating as I discover more sources.
In Store
Retail stores usually carry seeds from several companies, not just one. Buying in store allows you to compare quality, price, and product offerings. If you find a brand you like, you can go to their websites and look at their full selections or order their catalog if they have one. There are often times when seed companies run out of supply through their online stores, but the retail stores which carry their seeds still have inventory.
- Your Local Garden Center - this is the best place to start. Local plant nurseries usually carry a wide selection appropriate to the season and hardiness zone, and often have experts on hand that can answer questions. You'll find seeds of common plant varieties, as well as lesser known ones that you won't find in the big box stores. If you're starting seeds indoors, you can also pick up the supplies you will need to get going.
- Big Retail Stores - many locations carry a large selection of seed packets, typically from late winter to mid-summer, in their garden sections. They generally carry traditional brands and varieties of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Their online stores tend to be limited, with the majority of their selections available only in store. I have purchased seeds from all of these stores, but availability varies from branch to branch.
Seed Catalogs (with online ordering)
Though all of these companies have online ordering carts, seed catalogs are the traditional method of buying seeds for avid gardeners. The larger catalogs offer a huge selection of seeds in varieties that you cannot find in the stores. They are typically published once per year in winter so that crops will be ready for planting in spring, though some companies publish a fall edition, too. Many are packed with full color photos, helpful growing information, seed history, and recipes, making them invaluable resource throughout the growing season.
Most seed catalogs are available both by mail and in digital format, though some companies only offer one or the other. Visit their websites to order or view their catalogs. Most of the catalogs are free, but a few have a nominal charge. Unless otherwise noted, they carry all three categories of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Be sure to check the online stores for availability. Supply of certain varieties may be low, sold out or on backorder. Here is the listing in alphabetical order:
Adaptive Seeds - They specialize in open pollinated, organic seeds adapted to the Pacific Northwest climate.
Annie's Heirloom Seeds - Specializing in heirloom seeds, Annie's catalog is available online and in digital format.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - Baker Creek offers two catalogs. The Whole Seeds Catalog, available for purchase on their website, is over 500 pages and packed with gorgeous photographs. It's a work of art. The free version is smaller and can also be requested online for mail delivery.
Botanical Interests - Instead of photographs, this company uses beautiful illustrations to display its products both in the catalog and on its seed packets. The free catalog is available in hard copy and digital format. The seed packets are unique as they provide detailed growing, harvesting, and storing information both outside and inside the packet.
Burpee - One of the most recognizable names in retail seed companies, the free catalog is available by mail and in digital format. The website contains growing guides, recipes and videos. Seeds can be purchased online and in many retail stores.
Fedco Seeds - Fedco offers a wide variety of seeds and provides exceptional information about pests and diseases with each seed type. The catalog, printed in plain black and white, is available by mail or in digital format.
Gurney's Seeds and Nursery Company - This catalog is available by mail order.
Harris Seeds - Their catalogs, separated by category, are available by mail order, and they offer a large selection of garden supplies.
High Mowing Organic Seeds - Specializing in non-GMO organic seeds, High Mowing's catalog is available by mail or in digital format. Learn more about the company here.
Hudson Valley Seed Co - Hudson Valley typically offers a mail order catalog and may have a digital edition as well.
Johnny's Selected Seeds - The catalog, available by mail and in digital format, is packed full of photos, growing information, comparison charts, and seed descriptions. Additional seed varieties are only available online. The website is packed with growing guides and demo videos.
Kitazawa Seed - Kitazawa specializes in Asian vegetables with product descriptions focused on Asian cuisine, as well as translations from other Asian languages. Though the catalog is done in a rather plain, monochromatic scheme, it serves a niche market that nobody else in the industry has duplicated that I have found. The catalog is available as a digital edition, or by hard copy with a seed purchase.
Kitchen Garden Seeds - They carry non-GMO seeds and offer seed collection packs. Check the website for garden fresh recipes. The catalog is available by mail.
MI Gardener - Well-known gardening YouTuber who sells seeds. You can find his channel here. The catalog is available online.
Nichols Garden Nursery - This catalog is available in digital format.
Osborne Quality Seeds - This catalog is available by mail order or digital format.
Park Seed - Their full color catalog is available by mail or in digital format. They also carry a large selection of garden supplies, and have a robust learning center on their website.
Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply - Peaceful Valley specializes in organic growing and publishes several catalogs, including one dedicated to fall planting, available in in digital format. The website has instructional videos, recipes, and organic gardening tips.
Pinetree Garden Seeds - Their full color catalog with detailed product descriptions is available in hard copy and digital format. They also sell soapmaking supplies and teas.
Seeds from Italy - This niche seed company is the US distributor of heirloom seeds from Italy. Their catalog is available by mail and in digital format.
Seeds 'n Such - Their catalog is available by mail and in digital format.
Seed Savers Exchange - Specializing in the preservation of heirloom seeds, seed savers exchange offers a free catalog by mail or in digital format. This beautiful, full-color publication tells stories behind the seeds and gardeners, and offers seed saving tips. Visit their website to find out how to join the seed exchange.
Select Seeds - This catalog is available by mail order.
Siskiyou Seeds - They specialize in open pollinated, bioregionally adapted seeds out of Oregon.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Specializing in open pollinated, non-GMO seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange publishes its catalog in hard copy and digital format. The catalog contains interesting history behind their heirloom seeds. Find out more here.
Sow True Seed - They specialize in non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom & organic seeds. Their catalog is available by mail or in digital format.
St. Clare Heirloom Seeds - They specialize in non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom seeds.
Strictly Medicinal Seeds - Specializes in medicinal herbs, but carries flowers and vegetables as well.
Territorial Seed Company - This catalog is available by mail or in digital format.
Tomato Growers Supply Company - They carry a large selection of tomatoes and other vegetables.
Totally Tomatoes - Though they specialize in tomatoes, the also carry other vegetables and herbs. Their mail order catalog is available for a small fee or as a free digital edition.
Urban Farmer Seeds - This catalog is available by mail.
Victory Seeds - This company typically offers a catalog.
White Harvest Seed Company - They specialize in non-GMO, heirloom seeds. Their catalog is available by mail.
Wild Garden Seeds - They specialize in organic seeds. Their catalog is available by mail.
Online Stores
This section includes everything from individuals who sell seeds from their own backyards to huge online marketplaces that sell from many different seed providers. Orders can be placed online, like the group above, but they do not produce annual catalog (as far as I can see).
Amazon.com - Find seeds and seed collections from a variety of vendors on Amazon.
Back to the Roots - They specialize in organic, non-GMO seeds sold as bundles on their website, and also available at Home Depot and Amazon.
Chauly's Favorite Seeds - They sell budget-friendly open pollinated, heirloom, and non GMO seeds. Their selection is mostly vegetables and herbs, including many for Asian cooking, and a smaller selection of flowers.
Cornucopia Seeds - They sell seeds through retail outlets and via their Amazon store.
CaliKim Garden and Home DIY - CaliKim is a well-known gardening YouTuber who sells seed packs. You can find her channel here.
DollarSeed - They sell good quality, non-GMO, heirloom and organic seed packs for $1.
Eden Brothers - Order online from their large selection of non-GMO seeds.
Etsy - Find unique seeds for sale by a wide variety of vendors on Etsy.
Ferry-Morse Home Gardening - Ferry-Morse offers a wide variety of non-GMO seeds online and in retail stores.
Fruition Seeds - They specialize in organic seeds for the northeast.
Gardener's Supply Company - Though they sell mainly gardening supplies, they do carry a selection of seeds and seed starting equipment.
Heritage Seed Market - Combines three small seed companies under one website, selling mostly heirloom and open pollinated tomatoes.
Hometown Seeds - They specialize in heirloom, organic, non-GMO seeds, and sell seed survival packs.
Hoss Tools - Though they are predominately a garden tool company, they sell seeds as well. You can learn about their products in depth on their father and son garden show, Row by Row, on podcast or their YouTube channel.
J&L Heritage - Though they carry other vegetables, flowers and herbs, they specialize in tomatoes.
Mary's Heirloom Seeds - They specialize in heirloom vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds.
Monticello - Monticello, the home and garden of Thomas Jefferson, sells a selection of seeds. They make for nice gifts.
Mount Vernon - Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, sells a small selection of seeds.
Nature & Nurture Seeds - They specialize in heirloom, non-GMO seeds.
Outside Pride - They carry flower and herb seeds.
Paramount Seeds - They specialize greenhouse seed, though they offer seeds for outdoor planting, too.
Pepper Joe's - They specialize in hot peppers, and carry sauces and spices as well.
Proven Winners - known primarily for selling live plants at garden centers, they also sell a few seeds on their website, including tomatoes, basil and strawberries.
Redwood Organic Seeds - They specialize in organic heirloom and open pollinated seeds.
Reimer Seeds - In addition to other vegetables, flowers and herbs, they carry a large selection of tomato and hot pepper seeds.
Renee's Garden - Renee's Garden specializes in non-GMO seeds. The seed packets are beautifully illustrated and descriptive.
The Rusted Gardener - The Rusted Gardener gives gardening advice on YouTube and sells his own seeds. You can find his channel here.
San Diego Seed Company - They specialize in organic, heirloom, non-GMO seeds from the American Southwest. Find out more about them here.
Seedman.com - Offers over 3,000 seeds, all non-GMO
Seed Needs - Non-GMO seeds
Seeds for Generations - This is a family owned company that sells non-GMO organic heirloom seeds.
Seeds of Change - They sell seeds mostly through retail outlets, such as Home Depot and Walmart, but also sell them through Amazon.
Snake River Seed Cooperative - They are a group of family farmers growing seeds using sustainable methods in the Intermountain West.
Swallowtail Garden Seeds - They have a large selection of annual and perennial flower seeds, along with vegetables and herbs.
TomatoFest - They specialize in tomatoes, carrying a huge variety of heirloom seeds.
Trade Winds Fruit - Though specializing in fruits, they carry a good selection of vegetable, flower and herb seeds, particularly tomatoes and hot peppers.
True Leaf Market - In addition to seeds, True Leaf sells many gardening and health-related products, and carries a large selection on microgreens seeds and supplies.
Turtle Tree Seed - They specialize in organic and open-pollinated seeds.
Uprising Seeds - They specialize in organic, open-pollinated seeds grown in the Pacific Northwest.
Wild Boar Farms - They specialize in tomato seeds.
