Where to Buy Seeds

There are many options for buying seeds, from your local grocery or hardware store to the garden centers, catalogs, and online stores. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, here are some sources we recommend.

Seed Swap from the National Gardening Association

The Seed Swap from the National Gardening Association allows you to post requests for specific seeds and detail which seeds you’re offering to swap. Seeds can be exchanged through the mail. It’s a wonderful way to find seeds that you may not be able to find or buy locally.

Seed Catalogs / Online Sources

American Meadows – Their specialty is wildflowers (100% pure wildflower seed with no fillers and no GMO), but you’ll also find seed for grasses and groundcovers, perennials, and annual seed mixes. Online only, no catalog.

Annie’s Annuals & Perennials – Specializing in rare and unusual annual and perennial plants, including cottage garden heirlooms and hard to find California native wildflowers. They also have a nice selection of over 200 drought-tolerant plants.

Botanical Interests – Over 600 varieties of high-quality, non-GMO seed, with a large selection of open-pollinated, heirloom and organic seeds. Super informative seed packets, including recipes and detailed growing information on the inside of the packet.

Burpee – You’ve probably seen their seeds or plants in local garden centers, particularly their vegetables. They mostly carry their own hybrids, but they’re dependable.

High Country Gardens – Although they’re primarily intended for western gardens, they offer an incredible selection of waterwise and native plants that will do well across the country (except in very humid locations). Plants are chosen for their hardiness, beauty and their support of habitat creation.

High Mowing Organic Seeds – This Vermont based, family owned business sells only 100% Certified Organic seed. They carry a diverse line of vegetables, flowers, herbs and sprouts, as well as a good cross section of cover crops and planting supplies.

Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Johnny’s caters to short season gardeners, with a wide range of vegetables and annual flowers. They also offer a growing collection of certified organic seed.

Renee’s Garden Seeds – An excellent source for gourmet vegetables, kitchen herbs, and cottage garden flowers. The seed packets have a unique flap on the back that provides space for clear, detailed explanations for sowing, thinning and growing the plants. This is one of my favorite sources for quality seeds.

Territorial Seed Company – These seeds are particularly targeted for the Northwest, but you can also find many varieties of vegetables and flowers that will be just fine in other parts of the country.

Thompson & Morgan – T&M have a wonderful catalog for flower seeds but since the company was bought a few years ago there have been reports of quality control and customer service issues. Still, it’s well worth checking them out.

Wildseed Farms – All about wildflower seeds, including bulk orders.

Heirloom and Open-Pollinated Seeds

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Victory Seed Company

Sustainable Seed Company – With over 1800 varieties of heirloom seed – over 800 of those are certified organic – you’re sure to find something interesting here. All seeds are produced on their working sustainable farm, complete with hundreds of heritage chickens, pigs, and honey bees.

Heirloom Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds – Offers 1800+ varieties of vegetables, flowers and herbs—the largest selection of rare, heirloom varieties in the U.S.A. Baker Creek sends out a huge, full color catalog that is somewhat of a collectors’ item, as well as The Whole Seed Catalog for $7.95 (learn more about it in our article on the Five Best Gardening Catalogs for Spring).

Other Online Sources of Seeds (Buy and/or Swap)

Seeds Trust

Seed Savers Exchange (heirloom seeds)