7 Ultimate Seed Catalogs Offering Heirloom Seeds

Looking at seed catalogs was always my favorite end of winter activity. Now that I live in Malaysia, I have been fortunate to be able to help some university professors complete studies, and write papers, about establishing the seed industry in Malaysia for food crop sustainability.

About 95% of the seed in Malaysia comes from abroad. However, one professor started his own seed company, while teaching the process of genetically modifying (GMO) seeds for the Malaysian climate.

I am not in favor of genetically modifying seeds because the modified seeds are unable to reproduce consistently. In other words, you must continue to buy seeds, year after year, instead of saving seeds. Heirloom seeds or Non-GMO seeds allow you to harvest seeds for next year’s crop. Which type is better, GMO or Heirloom? I think GMO seeds are good for food sustainability but heirloom should be preserved for us backyard gardeners.

What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of GMO Seeds?

Benefits of GMO Seeds

• Some seed catalogs have GMO seeds which enable the plants to withstand certain pests or disease. Therefore the plants use less herbicides and pesticides.
• The crops from GMO seeds provide more predictable harvests since they are stronger.
• The resulting crops have a longer shelf life.
• The nutrition content of crops is improved.
• The color and appearance of food is improved.

Disadvantages of GMO seeds

Other seed catalogs have only non-GMO seeds because of the disadvantages of GMO seeds:

• GMO seeds are antibiotic resistant.
• Farmers who use GMO seeds are legally liable since cross pollination can occur changing the genetic makeup of non-GMO crops.
• GMO plants can take up the genetics of other plants including weed crops.
• Independent research is rarely allowed since there are 6 companies that control most of the seed modification, to protect their profits.
• GMO crops tolerant to pesticides can take up the poison and cause carcinogen effects in the crops.

Reasons Why Seed Catalogs Have Non-GMO Seeds

Seed Catalogs Promote Healthy Food Choices

Many people have opted to include organic fruits and vegetables in their diet because the old maxim stands true “You are what you eat”. Human bodies can grow stronger and heal themselves with healthy, organic food.

Natural Selection For Stronger Plants

In addition, while growing up on my grandfather’s cattle ranch, I learned the best way to produce better animals for food, was to breed the strongest and best types together. This is also true in plants.

In the past, farmers grew stronger plants by keeping the seeds of the strongest plants. Eventually, farmers got stronger, disease resistant, seeds. Unfortunately, this process takes generations compared to genetically modified seeds. But, it creates a healthier organic option.

Saving Seeds Is A Tradition For Seed Catalogs

Saving seeds has been a tradition of cultures all over the world and some people want to preserve the tradition, more than improving seed strains. But, thankfully, there are great seed catalog companies that also see the potential market and agree that providing non-GMO or heirloom seeds has place in today’s market because people care about what they eat.

1. BBB Seeds

Online heirloom seed catalog out of Boulder, Colorado has flower, vegetable, wild grasses, and pollinator (bee) education resources. They also include planting guides (although we like ours the best).

2. Seed Savers Seed Catalogs

Seedsavers.org is out of Iowa with a seed exchange and online store. They do a lot of outreach to the community and charity work.

3. Baker Creek Rare Seeds

Rareseeds.com is an online shop that has unusual heirloom seeds not found in other shops or catalogs. They are mainly a seed catalog but they have stores in Missouri and California. The store was started as a hobby for their founder to save unusual, rare seeds.

4. Living Seed Company Seed Catalogs

Living Seed Company is an online seed catalog with flowers, vegetables and herbs. They are family owned and operated with custom heirloom packets for weddings.

5. Territorial Seed Company

Territorial Seed Company has been around since 1979 and has over 850 varieties of seeds. They also have an online digital catalog.

6. High Mowing Organic Seeds

High Mowing Organic Seeds is one of our affiliate sponsors, who support us, when you buy from them. They also help to keep America’s food supply safe by working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sierra Club, and Organic Seed Alliance to keep GMO seeds regulated. They do a lot of charity donations as well as produce vegetables, flowers, herbs, and cover crops that are non genetic, organic seeds through their seed catalogs. Finally, they also provide food donations to needy causes through their salvation farms.

7. Home Grown Garden

Home Grown Garden is another affiliate sponsor of our website. They have kid friendly or beginner friendly gardening kits to start gardening with easy to grow packets. They have both starter and deluxe kits as well as seed packets for flowers, vegetables, and herbs. In addition, you can buy bundles of their heirloom seeds.

Conclusion

Seed catalogs are fun to read when the winds howl and the snow flies. It lets you dream of the warmth of the sun and the smell of loamy soil as you dig down to start your bountiful garden. I hope you reach out to some of these seed catalogs and let them know that you heard about their website on kaymartco.com. Do you like to read seed catalogs online or get the catalog in the mail? Let me know in the comment section below.