Finding good seed companies can be difficult because there are so many options. Here are my favorite seed companies that offer high quality heirloom seeds.
What makes a good seed company
When I look for a seed company here are the things I look for. First, I want to know if they offer open pollinated seeds. I believe heirloom/open pollinated seeds ate the best option to grow.
Next, I want to know the quality of seed they offer. You can always save money on seeds, but if they don't germinate you really haven't saved any money.
I also look at the reviews to see if the company is trusted and why other people buy from them. Below are some companies that I trust to buy my seeds from.
Check them out and make sure to bookmark their websites!
Seeds for Generations
Seeds For Generations is a small, family-run company located in Virginia. They only sell heirloom seeds which is something I like to support.
I have bought seeds from them before and am always pleased with the quality, delivery time, and packaging. If you want to support a small family business that sells staple garden seeds, this is the company for you.
They offer seeds ranging from flowers to heirloom tomatoes and even live plants! They have great customer service and always respond to inquires in a timely manner.
The only "downside" is that they do not offer a physical catalog. Since the company is small they do not have the funds to make a print catalog yet.
I bought these amazing rust colored sunflowers from Seeds for Generations and they just keep coming up as volunteer plants!
Pros:
- A small family owned and operated business
- Quality seeds with high germination rates
- Only offer heirloom and open pollinated seeds
- Easy to use website
- Fast shipping
Cons:
- Do not offer some of the rarest varieties
- No print catalog yet
- Shipping is reasonable, but not free
Baker Creek Seeds
Famous in the gardening world for their unique and rare seeds, Baker Creek Seeds has an amazing selection of seeds.
They are located in the Missouri Ozarks where they trial their new seeds. Baker Creek Seeds has the most amazing heirloom varieties!
They offer so many colorful varieties like this glass gem popcorn! You can learn how to grow your own here.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds does offer a free print catalog and I recommend every gardener request a copy.
Even if you do not purchase their seeds looking through their catalog is a blast! I honestly believe they offer the best seed catalog available.
Pros:
- Offer a wide selection of rare and unusual varieties
- Free print catalog that is the best in the industry
- Family owned business
- Free shipping
- Offer free seeds on most orders
Cons:
- Their seeds are more expensive
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit organization located in northern Iowa. They focus on finding rare seeds and reintroducing them to gardens around the globe.
They also have a free print catalog that you can request here. Their seeds have always grown well for me and they really focus on growing the healthiest seed available.
Keep in mind that their shipping can take awhile, so make sure to order your seeds early in the season (I usually order mine in February).
Pros:
- Only offer heirloom and open pollinated varieties
- Offer a large selection of rare seeds
- Often tell the stories behind the seeds
- Work to find rare seeds and then introduce them in their catalog
- Offer a free print catalog
Cons:
- Slow shipping
- Don't offer free shipping
MI Gardener
Located in Michigan (hence the MI) MI Gardener offers a wide range of 100% open pollinated and heirloom seed varieties.
Luke (the owner) constantly adds new seeds to the website and they have the best prices in the industry. They have even started to breed their own plant varieties.
There seed quality is top of the line and I have had very high germination rates with all of their seeds. It is honestly amazing that they can have both low prices and high quality seeds.
MI Gardener also offers free shipping on certain order amounts. Besides seeds they offer bulbs, plants, potatoes, fertilizer, and many other high quality garden supplies.
Follow their social media pages to stay up to date as they are very active.
Pros:
- High quality seeds
- Great prices
- Only offer heirloom seeds
- Easy to use website
Cons:
- Don't offer a print catalog
Why should I be buying heirloom seeds?
All the above companies offer heirloom and open pollinated seeds, but why should you be buying these seeds. Well, first let's define a few seed terms.
Open pollinated seeds have only been pollinated with other plants of the same variety and they will produce viable seed. This means that if you save seeds from open pollinated plants they will germinate.
Heirloom seeds are open pollinated, but have been grown for at least 40 years. Some choose heirloom seeds because they know they are tried and true.
Hybrid seeds are crossed with other varieties to produce a desired cross. These plants will not produce viable seed and can often taste subpar when compared to heirloom seeds.
GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds have had their genes artificially altered in a lab or exchanged with an animal, insect, or other living organism's DNA.
I used to tell gardeners to not worry about GMO seeds because you couldn't legally buy them. But that all changed in 2024 when a company started selling GMO purple tomatoes to individuals.
Now, more than ever, it is imperative to know where your seeds come from if you want to avoid lab created GMO's.
Heirloom and open pollinated seeds are known to be colorful, flavorful, and resilient. If you are going to garden organically (I highly recommend you do), then you are better off to buy heirloom seeds.
Heirloom varieties were grown before the conventional pesticides and fertilizers were invented, so they grow better in an organic garden. You can learn more about heirloom seeds here.
By buying open pollinated seeds you also save money if you start saving your own seeds. Saving tomato seeds, zinnia seeds, and other seeds is a great idea. You can visit this page to learn more about seed saving.
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