My Favorite Seed Companies
Although it might seem counterintuitive to shop for seeds in the heart of winter, it’s never too early to dream up a garden. By late January/early February, I usually have a plan on paper and every excuse in the world to begin browsing my favorite seed catalogs and online suppliers. But before I fill up my cart, I always try to take some time to think about how I want to grow each crop. Generally speaking, there are two ways to do it – 1) from seeds, which you can start indoors or outdoors, or 2) from seedlings, also known as transplants or starts, which can be purchased at your local nursery.
Seeds versus Transplants
Deciding how to start your crops doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. Most years, my garden is a hodgepodge of crops grown from seeds and transplants.
When it comes to growing from seeds, there are lots of advantages. If your garden is on the larger size, seeds are the most cost-effective option, with a packet of 25-50 tomato seeds costing less than a single transplant. Growing from seeds also lends itself to greater variety, with seed catalogs featuring dozens, if not hundreds, of different types of crops as opposed to nurseries, which typically carrying only a few common varieties. If you’re looking to grow rare, historic, or heirloom veggies, starting with seeds is often the only way to go.
But while growing from seeds has its advantages, some gardeners still prefer starting with transplants. Not only are they faster and easier to grow, but some plants struggle to grow from seed and invite trial, error, and delays. Some seeds can be direct-sown outdoors, though not until the weather is consistently warm. Others need to be sown indoors, to give them a jumpstart on the growing season, which is more effort than some gardeners are willing to make. The truth is, unless you’ve got a greenhouse or a grow light system inside your home, it’s usually less of a hassle to buy transplants from a nursery.
And even if you do have a system, there are a few plants you shouldn’t start indoors. Plants like beets, carrots, peas, and spinach don’t like their roots disturbed and instead like to start and finish in the same place. With these plants, it’s best to wait until the weather is just right to direct-sow them in the garden.
To help you think through what to plant and how, here’s a list of plants that prefer to be direct-sown versus transplanted. Note that many are flexible (thank goodness!) and will grow well either way.
Plants to direct sow. arugula, beets, carrots, cilantro, garlic, lettuce (baby mix), parsnips, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, turnips.
Plants to transplant. artichokes asparagus, celeriac, celery, eggplant, peppers, rhubarb, sweet potatoes, tomatoes.
Plants to direct sow or transplant. basil, beans, boy chop, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cantaloups, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, dill, endive, fennel, honeydew, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, melon, mustard greens, okra, parsley, peas, scallions, squash, Swiss chard, pumpkins, tamatillos, watermelon.
Sourcing seeds
Once you’ve decided what to grow from seed, there are a number of ways to procure them. Garden shops and even some grocery stores have racks of seeds for sale. Seed swaps with friends, neighbors, and other local gardeners can be a great way to discover new varieties. And online seed suppliers give you access to hundreds of different types of seeds, including those best suited to your local conditions. I prefer to shop for seeds online from the comfort of my home, where I can take my time leafing through catalogs, picking out exactly what I want in the quantities I need.
Whenever and wherever I buy them, I always make sure my seeds are organic, viable (check the expiration date), and from a reputable company. I also buy seeds labeled open-pollinated (OP) so I can save their seeds and regrow them the following year! (If you’re interested in learning more about saving seeds, I wrote a lengthy blog post here).
Fortunately it’s easier than ever to find healthy seeds from trustworthy companies. Here are just a few of my favorite sources for organic, open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds. I included where they’re located too in case you’re intent on sourcing seeds locally.
1. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (Mansfield, Missouri)
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds offers 1,800 types of seeds, 100 percent of which are open-pollinated, untreated, and non-GMO. They also carry one of the best selections of 19th century heirloom seeds from Europe and Asia, with their catalog offering about 1,000 heirloom varieties. The company was started in 1998 by teenager Jere Gettle who grew his own seeds and stored them in shoeboxes in his bedroom on his family’s homestead in Missouri! Baker Creek is now one of the largest heirloom seeds companies in the country. All of their seeds can be saved, shared, or traded and they encourage their customers to do so. They also offer a flat shipping rate of $3.50 no matter how many seeds you order.
2. Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Winslow, Maine)
Johnny Seeds is a privately-held, employee-owned seed producer that’s been in operation for almost 50 years. The word “selected” refers to the rigorous trials they conduct to select top performing, non-GMO seeds. Johnny Seeds is also known for creating new – often award-winning - seed varieties using old-fashioned breeding methods. Their goal is to help gardeners have a positive growing experience by focusing on fresh, vital, and superior quality seeds. They also carry a great catalog that cuts right to the chase – it’s informative and to the point, which is something no-nonsense gardeners are sure to appreciate.
3. High Mowing Organic Seeds (Wolcott, Vermont)
High Mowing Organic has a great reputation in the gardening community. Their organic, non-GMO seeds are regularly tested for germination rates, disease, and GMO contamination and their team is dedicated to the stewardship of the planet. They grow many of their seeds on their farm in Vermont and carry a wide selection of organic potatoes, garlic, and onions. I love that their catalog includes cultural information on each vegetable and that they offer free shipping on orders over $25.
4. Seed Savers Exchange (Decorah, Iowa)
Since 1975, Seed Savers has been preserving rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated seeds in their seed bank at Heritage Farm, where they house the nation’s largest nongovernmental seed bank of its kind. During that same time, they’ve been encouraging gardeners worldwide to grow, harvest, and share heirloom seeds. They offer more than 300 certified organic seed options, many of which are available in bulk.
5. Botanical Interests Seeds (Broomfield, Colorado)
Botanical Interests is a family-owned company made up of a staff of dedicated gardeners who tout the company motto “for gardeners, by gardeners”. They first caught my eye with their artful seed packets, but they’re not just pretty on the outside. Their seeds come from thoroughly vetted sources and are routinely tested for successful germination. I’ve had great success growing their seeds and often recommend them to fellow gardeners. They carry everything from veggies to herbs, but I’m especially smitten with their wildflower seed blends. Be sure to check out their organic and heirlooms too – they have a wonderful selection.
6. Hudson Valley Seed Company (Accord, New York)
Hudson Valley Seed Company is an organic farm in upstate New York, where they produce much of what they sell. Every seed in their catalog is open-pollinated and non-GMO; many are organic and heirloom as well. Hudson Valley is one of my favorite places to buy flowers and I love their artful seed packets, which are created in partnership with artists around the country. They also host a fantastic blog, with great growing tips, recipes and more.
7. Floret Flower Farm. (Mount Vernon, WA)
Floret Flower is my go-to seed company for unique, uncommon, and heirloom flowers. They source their seeds from a small network of specialty farmers and grow many varieties right on their farm. They also conduct extensive trials to find the best quality varieties. Because of their popularity - thanks in large part to their beautiful books - their seeds sell out fast. If you want to get your hands on a packet (or twenty!), I’d recommend signing up for their newsletter so you can mark your calendar and maybe set a timer. In addition to selling seeds and books, Floret offers a winter workshop that teaches participants how to grow a cut flower garden. I haven’t taken it, but I’d love to one day!
8. Renee’s Garden (Felton, CA)
Renee’s Garden is a company run by gardeners, for gardeners that offers a great selection of non-GMO, certified organic, open-pollinated, heirloom seeds. If you like shopping from a retailer that feels homespun and personal, you’ll love knowing that Renee grows the seeds in her own garden and selects her favorites for resale. I love her seed packets, which are decorated with beautiful watercolor portraits and inscribed with personal descriptions.
There are so many more seed companies to name, but this is a good start. Happy planning!