One of the best things that occurs during the frigid winter months for us home gardeners and semi homesteaders is the arrival of seed catalogs in the mail, and you might be surprised to find out that some of the best ones are free!
Do you remember those thick store catalogs from the 1990s? (Yes, I’m dating myself here.) I’m talking about the ones that JCPenney and Sears put out right before the holiday season.
I used to thumb through those catalogs as a kid and circle every little thing that I wanted my parents to get me for Christmas. (Of course, the purchases rarely happened, but it was still fun to dream!)
Well, getting seed catalogs in the mail is kind of like the adult version of that same feeling and excitement!
Seed catalogs are a great way to purchase vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, and perennials from the comfort of your own home. Most companies even offer a variety of gardening and seed starting supplies as well. It’s kind of like your one-stop shop for everything gardening.
Why Use Seed Catalogs?
As I mentioned above, seeing the seed catalogs in my post office box during the middle of winter makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. Here it is, sub-zero windchills outside with a blanket of snow on the ground, yet I am able to start dreaming and planning my spring garden as soon as those catalogs hit my kitchen counter.
So there’s that reason, of course!
In addition, seed catalogs are also a great way to visually see what varieties and colors of seeds are available to purchase. They usually feature images of the variety as well as pertinent information about planting and growing them.
But Wait . . .
Can’t you just purchase seeds at the store?
Sure, but after you’ve gardened for a few years, you might be looking to expand the crops in your garden. While it’s nice to be able to go to your nearest garden center or even big box store to purchase seed packets, the varieties provided are rather limited.
By purchasing your seeds or plants through a seed catalog, you are opening yourself up to a whole array of exotic varieties, flavors, colors, and more. The only thing limiting you is your growing zone and possibly your garden budget!
The best part: All of the catalogs on this list are completely free and often will automatically get mailed to your home year after year! So let’s get shopping!
And no, none of these are sponsored. (Although I would love to make that happen!) I am just sharing seed catalog companies that I have had success purchasing from in the past and will continue purchasing seeds through in the future.
The 6 Best Free Seed Catalogs
Please Note: The pictures I’ve posted are seed catalogs from 2025. The new ones look different and might offer different seeds and prices than what is seen in my photos below. At the time of posting this article, I don’t have all of the seed catalogs for this year yet, so I am using images from 2025.
Johnny’s – Best Free Seed Catalogs
In 1974, the first Johnny Apple Seeds catalog was published by Rob Johnston. Soon after realizing the name was already taken, the company’s name was changed to Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
This is probably not a name that you have seen on store shelves, though. While they do have a retail store in Winslow, Maine, their business focuses on online and catalog sales.
The company states that they do not knowingly sell genetically modified seeds. Instead, the breeders they use rely on natural methods of crossing varieties to produce great hybrids as well as trusted heirlooms.
Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co.
Gurney’s is the oldest company on our list. Founded in 1866 by Charles W. Gurney, his family started out listing seeds and basic products on a simple mailing list. It wasn’t until 1910 that their first nursery catalog with a full-color cover was published.
Gurney’s focuses its catalogs on vegetable and flower seeds as well as nursery stock. This includes plants like perennials, trees, shrubs, bushes, and more.
Gurnsey’s also provides gardening and nursery supplies as well to cover pretty much all of your growing needs. Along with their popular catalog, Gurney’s also has a website where you can purchase these products online.
Burpee – Best Free Seed Catalogs
The Burpee company was founded in 1876 by Atlee Burpee. What started out as a young man’s passion to provide mail-order poultry and livestock turned into a way to fulfill his customers’ need for high-quality seeds.
According to Burpee’s website, Atlee Burpee & Company was the first research-based seed company in the United States. The goal was to offer “different and better” seeds that would arrive to the customer via mail.
Today, you can find Burpee seeds in stores on shelves as well as online and in their seed catalog. They have a promise that their seeds have high germination rates and are always non-GMO.
Baker Creek Seeds
The next company on my list focuses its entire online and catalog presence on heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. Their mission is to “provide sustainable, heirloom seeds for everyone, preserving seed diversity and food security for future generations.” (Source: Baker Creek Seeds About Us)
Baker Creek Seeds isn’t one of the oldest companies on my list. The first catalog was published in 1998 by Jere Gettle. However, it is now the largest heirloom and seed company in the United States that focuses on online and catalog seed orders.
They publish a full-color free catalog that is usually one of the first to arrive in my mailbox each year. In addition, there is a “Whole Seed” catalog you can purchase as well that contains longer descriptions, multiple images, recipes, stories, and more.
Park Seed – Best Free Seed Catalogs
Park Seed is another seed company that only sells seeds online and through its catalog. The offer flat shipping rates and states that their seeds are always 100% non-GMO.
Park Seed was founded in 1868 by 15-year old George W. Park. His goal was to sell some of the seeds from his own personal garden to earn a little money. He worked by the motto, “Your success and pleasure are more to Park than your money.” (Source: Park Seed About Us)
For a while, Park Seed had a retail storefront in South Caroline and 500 acres of land. However, the company transitioned solely to online and catalog sales starting in 2013.
Botanical Interests
The last mail-order seed catalog on my list is a newer one for me. Botanical Interests co-founders Judy Seaborn and Curtis Jones started the company in 1995.
In 2023, the company was bought out by Kevin Espiritu, the founder of Epic Gardening. (If you’ve never seen content from Epic Gardening, then you are missing out. I actually use their seed starting containers and trays and highly suggest them hands down. Check out my other info on seed starting supplies here.)
The goal of Botanical Interests is to provide excellent seed quality at good prices. Their artist-rendered seed packets contain detailed information (and I mean LOADS of details) about planting and growing to hopefully give the gardener the best success possible. In addition to their catalog, you can also find these stunning seed packets in specialty stores as well as online.
Hopefully, you will consider signing up to receive some of these beautiful and informative free seed catalogs so you can start dreaming about this year’s garden – no matter the weather outside!
Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
– Chelsea
*This post may contain affiliate links. These are products I have used personally and highly recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you purchase items through my links. These links and the ads on this page help to support my family and our semi homestead, so Thank You!
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