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My Favorite Seed Companies in the U.S. & Canada (and Why I Trust Them)
- Jodi McKee
- Dec 19, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 3
If you’ve ever stared at a seed catalog in January and thought, “Why are there so many choices?
Welcome. You’re officially a gardener.
One of the most common questions I get from readers and followers (especially my Canadian friends ) is:
“Where do you actually buy your seeds?”
Not just any seeds, but seeds that germinate well, perform consistently, and taste amazing.
So today, I’m sharing a curated list of my favorite seed companies in the U.S. and Canada, organized by what they do best. These are companies I trust, recommend often, and return to year after year, whether I’m growing for resilience, flavor, seed saving, or experimentation.
This is not sponsored. No kickbacks. Just gardener-to-gardener recommendations.
Why Seed Source Matters More Than You Think
Seeds aren’t just seeds.
Where they’re grown, how they’re selected, and what they’re bred for makes a huge difference in:
Germination rates
Disease resistance
Flavor
Climate adaptability
Whether you can save seed next year
Choosing the right seed company can save you time, money, and frustration and help you build a garden that actually works with your climate, not against it.
Best Seed Companies for High-Performing Hybrids
If you want reliable yields, uniform plants, and strong performance, hybrids can be a smart choice, especially for newer gardeners or challenging growing conditions.
Best for: Market gardeners, beginners who want success, cool-climate growers, and tough growing conditions.
Johnny’s is often considered the gold standard. Their trialing process is rigorous, their germination rates are excellent, and their growing information is top-notch.
If you want seeds that always work, this is a great place to start.
Best for Heirloom & Open-Pollinated Seeds
Heirlooms shine when it comes to flavor, diversity, and seed saving. These companies are champions of plant preservation.
Best for: Rare varieties, global diversity, adventurous gardeners
Baker Creek is known for its massive catalog and stunning photography. If you want purple tomatoes, ancient grains, or something you’ve never seen before — this is your playground.
Best for: Preservationists, seed savers, heritage gardeners
Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting genetic diversity. Their seeds come with stories, history, and a sense of stewardship.
Best for: Regionally adapted heirlooms, seed saving education
Excellent selection of traditional and culturally important varieties, with strong educational resources.
Best for: Northern climates, cooperative-minded gardeners
Fedco is especially loved by gardeners in colder regions. Their catalog reads like a gardener’s journal.
Best for: Large selection of not just garden seeds, but also flowers and flower bulbs.
Eden Brothers offers great prices and large seed packet sizes that are useful if you want to grow on a market garden scale.
Best for: Large selection of heirlooms, micro-greens, hybrids, and home preserving supplies.
True Leaf Seeds offers a vast selection of heirloom varieties from around he world, great prices, and a variety of seed packet sizes.
Best Organic & Specialty Seed Companies
If organic practices matter to you, these companies walk the talk.
Best for: Certified organic gardeners, balanced selection
Every seed they sell is certified organic. A great choice if you want clean inputs from start to finish.
Best for: Organic seeds + garden supplies
A one-stop shop for organic growers who like convenience without compromise.
Best for: Seeds that excel in the south.
Offers an excellent selection of seeds and garden tools.
My Favorite Canadian Seed Companies (A Big List!)
I have a lot of Canadian followers, so I definitely wanted to add in some of the great Canadian seed companies out there! Canadian seed companies excel at breeding for short seasons, cold springs, and unpredictable weather.
Best for: Organic gardeners, west coast & northern climates
Certified organic, beautifully curated, and very beginner-friendly.
Best for: East Coast gardeners, dependable staples
A long-standing Canadian favorite with excellent customer support.
Best for: Wide selection, traditional garden varieties
A major supplier with a deep catalog that works well across multiple regions.
Best for: Accessible, classic garden varieties
Often available locally and easy for beginners to find.
Best for: Canadian-grown staples
A trusted source with strong regional roots.
Canadian Heirloom & Small-Batch Gems
These are special. If you love seed stories, biodiversity, and regionally adapted plants, don’t skip this section.
Heirloom, open-pollinated seeds with a strong focus on heritage preservation.
Rare and endangered varieties, a must for seed savers.
Small, thoughtful, and passionate about diversity.
Fantastic flower selection alongside vegetables.
Heirloom and non-GMO seeds bred for Canadian conditions.
How I Choose Where to Buy Seeds
When I’m deciding where to order from, I ask:
Are the seeds suited to my climate?
Are they open-pollinated or hybrid, and do I care?
Is the company transparent about sourcing?
Do they provide real growing information?
There’s no single best seed company, but there is a best company for your goals.
Final Thoughts
Buying seeds is more than shopping; it’s casting a vote for the kind of food system you want to support.
Whether you’re growing a few containers, a backyard garden, or saving seed for the future, starting with quality seed matters.
And if you’re just getting started? Pick one or two trusted companies, grow what excites you, and let the garden teach you the rest.
Happy planting 🥬
— Jodi@HealWise
Continue Your Gardening Journey with Harvest & Herb
If today’s post sparked your curiosity about garden seeds, plants, bolting mysteries, or simply wanting a garden that actually works for you, you’ll love Harvest & Herb: A Modern Medicinal Garden.
Inside, you’ll discover:
How to choose herbs that thrive in your space and suit your needs
Practical growing, harvesting, and drying tips for real-life gardeners
Simple ways to turn your garden into a source of natural wellness
Think of it as your garden companion, a book to keep nearby all season, whether you’re planning, planting, harvesting, or just daydreaming.
🌱 Grab your copy here and start growing your own healing journey:
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