Are you getting tired of the dreary, long, cold, snowy winter? Then it’s time to break out the seed and plant catalogs and start planning your spring garden.
nothing helps pass the winter blues more than the bright, vibrant colors of a beautiful seed catalogue.
The best part is that you can get them for free.
order a bunch of seed catalogs so you can compare hundreds of varieties of each crop, that way you’ll know you’re getting the best plants for your future garden.
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We have ordered seeds from seed catalogs for many years and have definitely acquired a few favorite companies over the years.
Today we share our top seed companies and how to get their brochure, as well as some tips for ordering seeds.
Top 4 Free Seed & Plant Catalogs
1. baker creek / rare seeds
Why choose Baker Creek for your seeds?
There’s no denying it, the baker creek catalog is beautiful and it’s certainly the most fun to flip through. his photographs are often funny and always interesting as they show real life farmers and their families posing with crops.
This catalog also includes non-GMO seeds, so you can be sure you’re growing sustainable, good-for-you crops.
free shipping!
baker creek offers free shipping on all orders in north america. This is a rarity among seed companies, and one of the reasons we keep coming back to Baker Creek again and again.
satisfaction guaranteed for 2 years
When you order from Baker Creek, your seeds are guaranteed to germinate. There is no fear of bad harvests with this company.
the rare seed youtube channel
baker creek’s new youtube channel is packed with planting tips, information on traditional seed stories, and recipes on how to cook with your crops!
2. johnny
Why choose Johnnys for your seeds?
johnnys is the best option if you are the type to do a lot of research on every crop you grow. this company goes above and beyond to provide you with lots of information on each plant as well as tips on how to grow them.
growing guides
johnny’s is committed to your growing success, and they show it with helpful growing guides interspersed throughout their catalog. These guides will tell you how to plant, when to plant, and how much to plant, taking the guesswork out of your seed starting journey.
johnny’s is the ultimate catalog for those who love to know things like ph ranges, planting depths, and soil temperatures for every plant they grow. knowledge is power!
it’s not just for seeds!
johnny’s is a great catalog to buy seeds, but that’s not all they offer.
This catalog is also packed with garden supplies, seed planting implements, watering supplies, and hand tools. you can find almost everything you need to get started with your garden, right here in one catalog.
online store
don’t miss johnny’s online seed shop. there are more than 200 varieties of vegetables that are available only online.
free shipping
johnny’s offers free shipping on all orders over $200. While this deal isn’t as impressive as Baker Creek’s, you might be surprised at how easy it is to spend $200 to start your garden this year.
request johnny’s seed catalog here >>>
3. stretcher
Why choose Gurney’s for your seeds?
gurney’s has been selling seeds since 1866 and their products stand the test of time.
While their seed catalog isn’t the prettiest, what it lacks in style it makes up for in substance. Gurney’s only features the best crops in their catalog, and their prices can’t be beat.
great deals!
gurney’s frequently offers amazing coupons to their customers, which means shopping through them can save you a lot of money. they currently have a deal where you can get half off your order if you spend $50 or more in their store!
no risk guarantee
If you’re not satisfied with your order for any reason, Gurney’s will either replace it or give you a full credit. these guarantees are not common, which means that this company really stands behind its seeds.
GMO-free seeds
gurney’s has made a commitment to safe seeds, which means they do not knowingly buy or sell genetically modified seeds or plants. If being GMO-free is important to you, you can’t go wrong with this company!
choice of stretcher
gurney’s selected their highest-yielding crops with the best flavor and marked them all, so you can shop easily and quickly knowing your selections will be successful.
request the gurney seed catalog here >>>
4. burpees
Why choose Burpee for your seeds?
The burpee has been helping gardeners grow for 144 years. it’s easy to put your trust in a company with so much lasting power.
burpee has a huge selection of seeds, if you want it they probably have it.
they’re not just for seeds
burpee is not only a great place to buy high-quality seeds, it also offers seedlings, fruit trees, and tons of garden supplies.
free shipping over $60
burpee offers free shipping on any order over $60. With all that burpee has to offer, it would be hard to spend less.
your website is a wealth of knowledge
While the burpee seed catalog is a great place to start, their website is excellent and full of great information for aspiring gardeners.
The site has tools, resources, and articles to help you choose the right seeds for your location and needs. definitely worth a visit before placing your order.
request a burpee seed catalog here >>>
other seed companies offering free seed catalogs
If you’re looking for specific crop varieties or just want lots of options, why not order a large number of catalogues?
Digging through them is the perfect way to spend a cold winter’s day.
seed of the park
territorial seed company
annies heirloom seeds
feeds seeds
pine garden seeds
richters
select seeds
adaptive seeds
seed savers
ne seed
r.h. by shumway
fedco seeds
seeds from italy
botanical interests
rohrer seeds
urban farmer
harris seeds
sow true seed
jung seed
kitazawa seed
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
burgess seed
white flower farm
top tips for ordering seeds:
be practical: order what you eat!
One of the biggest mistakes we made when we first started gardening was ordering hundreds, nay, thousands of seeds for fruits and veggies that looked beautiful, fun, and interesting in the catalog, only to find they were not something we’d ever eat.
we still have those seeds all these years later!
Seed catalogs are known to tempt you with interesting hybrid plants. they will tempt you with lemony cucumbers, purple potatoes and gem-like corn on the cob.
don’t be fooled though, if those aren’t foods you’d actually eat, there’s no point in ordering those seeds!
order only seeds that will grow in your region
Before you even open up the seed catalog, look up your location on a plant hardiness zone map.
Discovering your growing zone will be your guiding light to help you make decisions about which seeds to order. if you live in a region that has very short summers, you simply won’t be able to grow crops that need more than 100 days of full summer sun.
Know your growing zone and stick to it absolutely when choosing which crops to grow.
plan your garden first
I know it’s fun to flip through seed catalogs, order everything that looks fun and delicious, and then worry about planting later, but I know from experience this route will only lead to frustration!
Take the time to map out your entire garden before ordering seeds.
measure the exact size of your plot, make a sunlight map and, if you can, test the soil. Knowing exactly what you’re working with will have a huge impact on what types of crops and how many you can grow!
watch the weather
If you have your heart set on sourcing certain types of seeds or plants, it’s best to order early or check with your seed company frequently to see when they will be available.
Some crops are only for sale for a few weeks a year, and others sell out quickly. it’s best to stay ahead of the game so you can get exactly what you want.
buy additional seeds
When we’re ordering seeds, we always get more than we think we’ll need. There are many reasons to get extra seeds. For starters, not every seed you buy will actually germinate, so having some extras gives you a better chance at a bountiful garden.
Secondly, some crops, such as lettuce, spinach, radishes, and beans, can be planted on a successive timeline, so you can have fresh crops for a longer period of time.
Lastly, we like to ask for additional seeds to add to our seed collection for years to come. It adds to our comfort and sense of security to have a large box of seeds ready to go at all times.
Now that you know exactly how to get free seed catalogs and what to order, it’s time to get started.
happy planning!