For generations of home gardeners, Burpee seeds have stood out for reliability and variety. In business since 1876, Burpee built its reputation on high germination rates and non-GMO seeds, even offering a “150-year guarantee” as a trusted choice for growers. Whether you browse the Burpee seeds catalog or shop the online store, you’ll find a full lineup of Burpee seeds vegetables, Burpee seeds flowers, and Burpee seeds herbs to suit any garden. This guide dives deep into why Burpee seeds are so popular: the wide product range (including organic and heirloom varieties), quality and guarantee policies, buying tips (catalog vs. online), customer reviews, savings with coupons, and expert planting advice.
A Legacy of Quality and Variety
Since founder W. Atlee Burpee launched the company in 1876, Burpee has focused on seed quality. In fact, the company claims its seeds consistently outperform industry germination standards, and the tagline “Burpee Seeds Grow – a 150-year guarantee” highlights their confidence. Today Burpee markets all its seeds as non-GMO and rigorously tests them. Gardeners can feel secure: Burpee’s official return policy gives you up to a full year to ensure seed packets meet expectations (90 days for vegetables and herbs). In short, Burpee stands behind its product quality.
Beyond quality, Burpee’s catalog has historically set trends in gardening. The annual Burpee seeds catalog – still eagerly anticipated – showcases hundreds of varieties. As one long-time user wrote, “I love their catalog – best selection of seeds and plants available… I always use their seeds as they grow very well”. The modern catalog (and website) makes finding favorite varieties easy. For example, classic vegetable names (“Better Boy” tomatoes, “Blue Lake” beans, “Black Seeded Simpson” lettuce) remain staples, while new hybrids and heirlooms (like the famous Brandywine tomato) are added each season. In gardening forums, users still praise Burpee’s “tried and true seeds,” noting that Burpee focuses on reliable performers for your region. Today, Burpee ships to backyard gardeners nationwide through its online store and via retailers (Walmart, Home Depot, etc.), ensuring those heirloom and hybrid seeds reach every green thumb.
Wide Range of Seeds for Every Garden
- Vegetables: The Burpee catalog is packed with popular vegetable seeds (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beans, lettuce, and more). For example, Burpee has long been known for varieties like “Big Boy” tomatoes, “Blue Lake” bush beans, and “Cherry Belle” radishes. Many vegetables come in hybrid and open-pollinated lines, including choices in Burpee seeds organic such as Organic Carrot Scarlet Nantes and Organic Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson.
- Flowers: Flower gardeners will find Burpee seeds flowers ranging from easy annuals like marigolds and sunflowers to perennials and specialty annuals. The catalog includes showy petunias, zinnias, cosmos, and more, often in colorful mixes. Burpee also offers heirloom flower seeds (old-timey favorites) alongside hybrids bred for bigger blooms.
- Herbs: For kitchen gardens, Burpee carries many Burpee seeds herbs. Favorites like basil, cilantro, parsley, and oregano are available, often in both culinary garden and “herb starter kit” formats. These herb seed packs (sometimes included in starter kits) let you grow fresh spices on a windowsill or in a garden bed.
- Starter Kits: New gardeners can grab Burpee seeds starter kits (often containing seeds plus trays, coir pellets, and labels) to simplify the sowing process. These kits typically include several seed packets (e.g. herb or vegetable mixes) and growing media, making indoor seed starting easy for beginners.
- Organic and Heirloom: Burpee has expanded its organic and heirloom offerings. Certified organic vegetable and flower seeds are clearly labeled, so gardeners seeking non-chemical options can choose them (e.g. Organic Spinach Bloomsdale, Organic Squash Dark Green Zucchini). For heirloom enthusiasts, Burpee sells many open-pollinated favorites. As one gardening source notes, heirloom seeds (like the Brandywine tomato) are prized for flavor and variety, and Burpee supports these lines alongside its hybrids.
- Specialty: You’ll also find Burpee seeds for rarer uses: flower seed bomb mixes, gourmet vegetable varieties, and even mini-garden kits. Whatever you’re planting, chances are Burpee has a packet for it.
Pictured: A gardener plants seeds in a seedling tray. Starting with high-quality Burpee seeds, proper sowing depth and moisture set the stage for good germination and growth.
Buying Burpee Seeds: Catalog, Online & Coupons
Gardener shoppers have several ways to purchase Burpee seeds. Many still treasure the mail-order catalog for browsing (Burpee mails a new edition each year), but the online store is now the primary outlet. The Burpee website lets you search by category (vegetable, flower, herb, etc.) or keyword. In stores, major home improvement and garden centers stock Burpee packets (as one Reddit user points out, seeds are “readily available in stores” like Walmart).
The catalog and website cover the same product range, but shopping online lets you apply promo codes and see live stock. To save money, look for Burpee seeds coupons and deals. Coupon aggregators (like Groupon) often list discounts – for example, “Save 10% on your first Burpee purchase” or “20% off orders $60+”. Burpee also runs seasonal sales (spring planting deals, holiday specials) and offers a rewards program: sign up for points and email newsletters to get exclusive promo codes. If you enter one of these Burpee promo codes at checkout, your savings add up quickly. Even free shipping promotions pop up occasionally (worth checking before finalizing an order).
Whether you browse the Burpee seeds catalog in winter or order Burpee seeds online year-round, the process is straightforward. With a catalog or site, you can filter by category (vegetables, flowers, herbs, starter kits, organic, heirloom, etc.) and quantity. Once you choose seeds (often 100+ seeds per pack for popular veggies), you add them to your cart. Don’t forget to check for a promo code field at checkout – even a small code for Free Shipping on $50+ or a percentage off makes growing cheaper.
Planting and Growing Tips
Successful gardening is about more than seed selection – it’s also about how you plant and nurture them. When using Burpee seeds (or any seeds), follow good sowing practices for best results:
- Prepare Soil or Trays: Fill clean containers or beds with a light, sterile seed-starting mix. Good drainage and a soft texture help seeds sprout. (Burpee sells starter trays and soil discs if you want convenience.)
- Sow at Correct Depth: Each seed packet has instructions. As a rule of thumb, plant most seeds at a depth about twice their diameter. Tiny flower seeds stay very shallow; larger bean seeds go about 1/2–1 inch deep.
- Keep Moist, Not Waterlogged: After sowing, water gently to settle the soil. Use a spray or fine mist to avoid displacing the seeds. Maintain even moisture – the mix should stay damp but not soaking wet.
- Provide Warmth and Light: Most seeds germinate best in warm conditions (65–75°F). Placing trays on a heat mat can speed sprouting. Once seedlings emerge, give them plenty of light (a sunny window or grow lights) to grow strong and not “leggy.”
- Thin or Transplant: When the first true leaves appear, thin seedlings so remaining plants aren’t crowded. If you started seeds indoors, transplant them (harden off first) into the garden or larger pots after frost risk passes.
Close-up of young seedlings sprouting from soil. Strong Burpee seedlings often emerge vigorously when grown under proper light and moisture conditions.
Many gardeners note that with good care, Burpee seeds germinate quickly and uniformly. The photo above shows healthy seedlings from Burpee seeds – robust little plants ready for the next stage. The quality of Burpee seed stock helps here; weak seeds often give patchy or failed growth, but high-quality seeds usually yield a full tray of plants.
In short, use quality soil, the right depth, consistent warmth, and the seeds will do the rest. And if you ever have trouble, Burpee’s guarantee (full-year return policy) means you can get replacements if seeds fail to germinate as promised.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Overall, gardeners report positive experiences with Burpee seeds. Trustpilot data (an aggregation of customer reviews) shows about 67% of reviewers give Burpee a 5-star rating, indicating many happy customers. In gardening forums, many users echo that sentiment. For example, one long-time grower wrote, “I have no problem with Burpee seeds… they are a great option for a beginning vegetable gardener. They are readily available in stores and have an organic option for many of their seeds… I bought them from Walmart with no issues whatsoever”.
Of course, no company pleases everyone. A few gardeners have reported germination issues or mislabeled packets (a recently noted “Peppergate” mix-up affected multiple suppliers). But Burpee generally addresses problems through its customer service. Many users find that when seeds underperform, Burpee honorably replaces packets or refunds under its guarantee.
In summary, Burpee seeds reviews are mixed but mostly positive. The large majority of customers find that their plants grow as expected, justifying the brand’s reputation. For unbiased input, you can read independent reviews or ask on gardening communities for firsthand feedback. Just remember that success also depends on your planting technique and conditions – a good seed in bad soil may still struggle, and vice versa.
FAQs
Q: What types of seeds does Burpee offer? Burpee sells vegetable, flower, and herb seeds (and starter kits) to suit every garden. Check the Burpee catalog or website for sections labeled “Vegetable Seeds,” “Annual Flowers,” “Herb Seeds,” etc. There are also specialty lines: organic seeds (USDA-certified organic varieties), heirloom seeds (open-pollinated favorites like Brandywine tomato), and starter kits for beginners.
Q: Are Burpee seeds non-GMO? Yes. Burpee markets all its seeds as 100% non-GMO. They also rigorously test seed germination rates. In fact, Burpee’s packaging and promotions emphasize seed quality and genetics you can trust.
Q: How can I buy Burpee seeds? You can order a printed Burpee seeds catalog (mailed to home) or shop the Burpee website (Burpee.com). Many garden centers and retailers (Walmart, Home Depot, Amazon, etc.) also carry Burpee seed packets in spring. Online purchase lets you easily browse vegetables, flowers, herbs, organic, and heirloom categories, and apply Burpee seed coupons at checkout.
Q: Does Burpee have a guarantee on seeds? Yes. According to Burpee’s policy, seeds, bulbs, and perennials come with a one-year guarantee, while annual vegetables and herbs have a 90-day guarantee. If your seeds fail to grow, contact Burpee’s customer service (phone or online) – they will typically replace the packet or refund your purchase as promised.
Q: How can I save on Burpee seeds? Look for promo codes and sign-ups. New customers often get 10% off your first order, and returning customers can find deals like 20% off $60+. Burpee’s website banner and newsletter also share seasonal coupon codes. Don’t forget to use Burpee’s rewards program: earning points on each purchase (especially by writing Burpee seeds reviews after the fact) which you can redeem for discounts later.
Q: Are Burpee seeds good for beginners? Absolutely. Many experts recommend Burpee seeds as user-friendly and reliable. As one experienced gardener notes, Burpee “are a really great option for a beginning vegetable gardener,” offering wide availability and popular varieties. The starter kits and clearly labeled instructions make it easy for novices to get started.
Conclusion
For gardeners seeking quality, reliability, and variety, Burpee seeds remain a trusted choice. From classic vegetables to colorful flowers, and from organic options to heirloom treasures, Burpee’s catalog and online store cover nearly every need. The brand’s long history, non-GMO promise, and customer-friendly guarantees give confidence to both new and veteran gardeners. Coupled with useful promotions and a helpful community, Burpee helps turn any seed-starting project into success. Whether you’re browsing the Burpee seeds catalog with a cup of coffee or adding seed packets to your online cart, rest assured you’re tapping into a legacy of gardening expertise. Happy planting!
