Baker Creek Seeds is the go-to source for heirloom gardening enthusiasts. Founded by seed expert Jere Gettle, Baker Creek specializes in rare, open-pollinated, non-GMO varieties that capture generations of flavor and heritage. Today it’s known as “America’s favorite heirloom seed company,” offering an enormous online catalog of over 1,800 heirloom vegetables, flowers, and herbs. This vibrant collection is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and free U.S. shipping.
On the RareSeeds.com website, gardeners can browse by categories (vegetables, flowers, herbs, bulbs) and use filters (color, sun exposure, etc.). Each seed listing includes planting instructions and even a bit of history or growing tip. The combination of an expansive seed catalog with helpful resources makes Baker Creek ideal for hobbyists and professional growers alike. In the sections below, we’ll explore Baker Creek’s origins, its famed seed catalog, and why its heirloom offerings are so highly valued in sustainable gardening.
A Legacy of Heirloom Gardening
Baker Creek Seeds began as Jere Gettle’s personal passion project. Inspired by his grandmothers’ gardens in Idaho, Jere started gardening as a child and collected heirloom seeds passed down through generations. In 1998, a 17-year-old Jere mailed a 12-page catalog offering just 75 varieties of open-pollinated seeds. He called it Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company (named after the creek on his family land). That catalog was just the start.
Public interest in home gardening surged around the year 2000, and Baker Creek’s first Heritage Seed Kits (sold during the Y2K scare) dramatically boosted the business. Sales jumped from only $1,000 in 1998 to $40,000 in 1999. By the early 2000s, Jere had moved the operation from his bedroom to warehouses and had hired his first employees. Today the company remains family-run and boasts the largest heirloom seed catalog in the U.S..
The Baker Creek farm itself has become a destination. On 55 acres in Mansfield, Missouri, Jere and his team built “Bakersville” – a recreated Ozark pioneer village. This old-time farming village includes the main Baker Creek Seed Store, a brick herb garden, an apothecary, a blacksmith shop, an old-fashioned bakery, and heritage livestock and poultry exhibits. Visitors can stroll through demonstration gardens and glass greenhouses filled with heirloom plants from around the world. The immersive experience underscores Baker Creek’s mission: it’s not just selling seeds, but preserving living history.
Baker Creek also connects with gardeners through community events. Each year they host spring and fall Heirloom Seed Festivals at the farm. These lively gatherings feature vendor booths, live music, heritage crafts, and seminars on topics like seed saving, organic gardening, and regional food traditions. Missouri Life magazine reports that thousands attend these festivals to celebrate garden heritage with family-friendly activities and farm tours. Through its catalogs, workshops, and festivals, Baker Creek spreads a message of food biodiversity and the importance of saving heirloom seeds for future generations.
Baker Creek Seeds Catalog & Rare Varieties
A core offering is Baker Creek’s annual seed catalog. Gardeners in the U.S. can request the free Rare Seed Catalog, a 164-page book of vibrant photos and plant descriptions. For enthusiasts wanting more, there is a larger Whole Seed Catalog (available for purchase) packed with extended plant profiles and seasonal tips. Both the printed catalogs and the online RareSeeds.com site serve as guides to one of the richest collections of heirloom seeds available.
The Baker Creek catalog highlights an astonishing variety of plants. For example, the vegetable section includes heirloom staples and curiosities alike. You’ll find Blue Hopi and Bloody Butcher corn, dozens of tomato types (classic Brandywine and Mortgage Lifter alongside novelty Green Zebra, White Beauty, and more), 30+ pepper varieties (sweet bells, Christmas peppers, dozens of hot chiles, even unusual blue Christmas peppers), and a huge range of lettuce, greens, and spinach. Specialty vegetables abound: heirloom squash (Turk’s Turban, Cushaws, Snake Gourds), multicolored carrots (orange, red, purple, white), and heritage beans (Cherokee Trail of Tears, Anasazi, Dragon Tongue). The catalog even features old grains and pulses – for example, small packets of quinoa, amaranth, heirloom wheat, and popcorn corn – appealing to gardeners who want to try kitchen staples from scratch.
Flower lovers will find dozens of heirloom flower seeds. Some are everyday garden favorites: giant sunflowers (Astra Gold), Zinnias (Benary’s Giants), Cosmos (Sensation Mix), and marigolds (dwarf French African varieties). Others are showier or rare: giant Dahlia tubers, Chocolate Cosmos, double-pearl Bachelor’s Buttons, Four O’Clocks (Marvel of Peru), and old-fashioned flowers like Sweet Williams and Godetia. Many are easy annuals that will self-seed, ensuring each season’s garden grows richer. The catalog also includes pollinator-friendly mixes and perennial flowers (like Echinacea and goldenrod).
Beyond vegetables and flowers, Baker Creek covers herbs and companions. Their seed list has many culinary and medicinal herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, echinacea, calendula, etc.) and edible flowers (nasturtium, borage). They also provide cover crop and companion seeds (buckwheat, clovers, and “bee mixes”) to support organic gardening. Even dahlias, gladiolus bulbs, and rare bulbs like anemone and fritillaria appear in their offerings. To give an idea of the catalog’s scope, here’s a snapshot of categories and sample varieties:
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Heirloom Vegetables: 150+ tomatoes (e.g. Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra), 50+ peppers (bell, sweet banana, dozens of chiles), 50+ lettuce/greens (butterhead, romaine, mesclun, Asian greens), 50+ root crops (multicolored carrots, heirloom beets, sweet potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke, heirloom onions). Specials include Turk’s Turban squash, Japanese White radishes, and Puerto Rican tree spinach.
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Rare Grains & Corn: Heirloom popcorn (e.g. Strawberry Popcorn), flint and flour corn (Golden Bantam sweet corn, Anasazi corn), ancient grains (red quinoa, spelt), and a huge array of dry beans (Wax, Purple, Anasazi, Asparagus bean) and dry peas (Marrowfat, edible podded snow peas).
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Heirloom Flowers: Hundreds of annuals/perennials. Notables include Dahlia, Marigold (Pacino F1, Hooker’s French), Snapdragon (Madame Lefeber), Nasturtium Jewel Mix, Sweet Pea (mixed heirlooms), Pot Marigold (Calendula), and butterfly plants like Asclepias and Monarda. Unique varieties: Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Brunnera), antique carnation, Four O’Clocks (Marvel of Peru), and shade-loving Torenia. Many seeds are open-pollinated mixes (wildflower mix, cutting-flower mix).
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Herbs & Companions: Over 50 culinary herb seeds (Genovese Basil, Lemon Balm, Stevia), dozens of medicinal herbs (Echinacea, Chamomile, Holy Basil), plus edible flowers (borage, calendula, dianthus). Companion plants like Nasturtium and Nasturtium Jewel are popular for organic pest control. The catalog also offers specialized garden mixes (e.g. “Salad Greens Mix”, “Pollinator Flower Mix”) for convenience.
Baker Creek’s emphasis on rare heirlooms is their hallmark. Many of these plants were preserved by dedicated gardeners in past centuries and were nearly lost to modern agriculture. By seeking out seeds from around the globe and reintroducing them to home gardens, Baker Creek acts like a living seed bank. In total, their offerings now span roughly 1,800 distinct heirloom varieties. This far exceeds the selection of any chain store or big-box nursery. Gardeners describe the catalog as a treasure trove of possibilities – from an Aztec corn variety that’s thousands of years old, to an obscure dianthus with colorful petals.
Gardening with Baker Creek: Flowers, Vegetables, and Herbs
Baker Creek Seeds provides everything a gardener could need. Their product lines cover all major categories, each with an heirloom focus:
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Vegetable Seeds: They sell over 150 tomato types (slicers like Brandywine, cherry types, paste tomatoes for sauce) and dozens of pepper varieties (sweet bells, purple bell, yellow wax, cayennes, ghost peppers). Greens include head and loose-leaf lettuces, kale (Red Russian, Lacinato), spinach, chard (rainbow chard), and Asian vegetables (bok choy, tatsoi). Root crops range from common (carrots of several colors, beets) to obscure (ground cherries, kohlrabi, Japanese turnips). Notably, Baker Creek offers old garden favorites like Heirloom Okra, Coscia squash, and West Indian Gherkin. Each packet is clearly labeled with planting dates, days to maturity, and often advice on spacing or growing conditions.
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Flower Seeds: Their flower collection is equally vast. Customers can choose from classic annuals like Zinnias (Oklahoma Series), Cosmos Sensation, Sunflowers (Astra and Gray Stripe) and Marigold (Nana Yellow, Pacino F1). Perennials and bulbs include Dahlia tubers, Gladiolus corms, lily bulbs, and Hardy Mums. Rarer entries abound: Chocolate Cosmos, African Red Spider Lily, frilly Columbine, and cottage-garden favorites like Scabiosa and Coreopsis. Many are hardy and self-seeding, which fits heirloom gardening – plant once and enjoy flowers for years. Baker Creek also offers flowering bulbs and tubers (cannas, dahlias, anemones) with their heirloom lines.
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Herbs & Edible Flowers: The herb category spans culinary staples (basil, thyme, parsley, cilantro) to medicinal/culinary blends (Thai basil, sweet woodruff). There are also wild herbs like goldenrod and yarrow. Edible flower seeds include nasturtium (buttery), borage (cucumber-flavored blooms), and calendula (marigold). Companion plant seeds like clover and buckwheat help improve soil or attract beneficial insects. For example, one could sow a border of borage and marigolds around a tomato patch.
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Organic-Friendly Supplies: While primarily seeds, Baker Creek also offers some organic gardening supplies. These include seed-starting soil mixes, biodegradable pots, garden markers, and even folklore-themed seed kits for children. They also sell informational books on heirloom gardening. These extras support the seed-starting process.
Inside one of Baker Creek’s greenhouses, trays of heirloom seedlings thrive. These baby plants hint at the bounty hidden in each packet. Crucially, all Baker Creek seeds are open-pollinated and non-GMO. That means gardeners can save seed from year to year and reliably grow the same variety (heirlooms “grow true to type”). Baker Creek notes their seeds are untreated, making them ideal for organic plots. Many home gardeners report that produce grown from Baker Creek seeds tastes richer: a myth is dispelled as heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and beans often deliver more flavor than store-bought hybrids. By gardening with these seeds, people not only grow food, but also a connection to agricultural heritage.
Shopping Baker Creek Seeds: Online Store & Free Shipping
Baker Creek makes shopping for seeds both fun and easy. Their website (RareSeeds.com) is a one-stop shop. The homepage declares RareSeeds.com as “America’s Premier Source for Heirloom Seeds”. Shoppers can view thousands of products, filter by plant category or key (e.g. “drought tolerant”), and read blog posts on gardening tips. Product pages often include not only the botanical info but also cultivation tips (spacing, companion planting) and sometimes a historical anecdote about the variety. This engaging content turns the store into an educational experience.
A standout benefit is Baker Creek’s free shipping policy. The site emphasizes that “every order includes free shipping within the U.S.”. In practice, this means whether you buy one packet or a shopping cart full, domestic shipping is $0. They also enforce a 100% satisfaction guarantee: if a seed packet fails to germinate under proper conditions, the gardener can contact Baker Creek for replacement seeds. These policies remove common barriers to online seed-buying and encourage gardeners to try many varieties at once.
The historic Baker Creek Seed Store in Missouri welcomes visitors with red-painted wood and retro signage. This charming shop sits at the entrance to the Bakersville village. Inside, wooden bins and drawers are labeled by type – “Tomatoes,” “Peppers,” “Flowers,” etc. – each containing dozens of packets. Visitors can stroll the aisles comparing varieties, and even enjoy shelves of heirloom bulbs and potted seedlings. The store is part of an immersive museum-like experience: outside, heritage gardens and period buildings (the apothecary, the smokehouse) transport shoppers back in time. (Even if you can’t visit, Baker Creek mails the free catalog to U.S. customers, so browsing is possible from anywhere.)
Inside the Baker Creek store, hundreds of seed packets fill the shelves. In one photo, flower and vegetable packets line the walls under hanging planter boxes. The store also stocks related items: heirloom corn meal from their milled corn, hot sauces made from their peppers, gardening books, and even Baker Creek-branded tools. Many customers note that orders often include unexpected free packets – small surprises of specialty seeds tucked into the box. This reflects Baker Creek’s community-oriented spirit. For those not in Missouri, the RareSeeds.com site replicates the full shopping experience online, complete with photos and descriptions.
To meet demand, Baker Creek has invested in large facilities. In 2023 they opened a 105,000-square-foot seed-packing warehouse in Seymour, Missouri. From this modern hub, they ship tens of thousands of orders each planting season. During peak months, they process orders daily with farm-fresh vigor. All of these features – free catalog, extensive online store, free shipping, and that nostalgic brick-and-mortar – explain why Baker Creek Seeds inspires loyalty among its customers.
Reviews and Community Feedback
Gardeners often share their Baker Creek experiences online. On Trustpilot, RareSeeds.com has dozens of reviews (average ~3.1 out of 5). Many are very positive about seed quality. One long-time buyer wrote: “I have been buying Baker Creek seeds for at least 12 years. Their seeds are consistently healthy, fresh and viable… The price is reasonable, the shipping is free”. Another customer exclaimed, “This is a great company that offers heirloom seeds and some really interesting varieties!”. Reviewers frequently mention the fun of discovering unique seeds in the catalog and the perk of freebie packets in each order.
No seed supplier is perfect, and Baker Creek has its critics. A few gardeners report delayed shipments or mix-ups during busy seasons. A handful mention a packet or two that didn’t sprout. However, Baker Creek’s customer service often resolves these quickly – for example, one customer noted that a lost order was promptly replaced and delivered the next week. Community forums (Reddit threads, Facebook gardening groups) indicate that the vast majority of gardeners feel the positives outweigh any negatives. Users love sharing photos of their Baker Creek tomato plants bursting with fruit, or their heirloom flower beds in full bloom. The company’s willingness to reply to complaints and clarify shipping issues has helped maintain goodwill.
In summary, customer feedback underscores Baker Creek’s strong points: seed diversity and quality. Even critics acknowledge that Baker Creek’s heirloom offerings can’t be found elsewhere. Many gardeners report planting the same Baker Creek varieties year after year. The overall consensus among reviewers is that Baker Creek Seeds is a reliable source of heirloom seeds – one that backs its products with support and continues to add value (catalogs, freebies, advice) to the gardening experience.
Heirloom Gardening and Sustainability
Baker Creek Seeds fits squarely within the sustainable gardening and biodiversity movement. Heirloom seeds are prized because they preserve genetic diversity lost in industrial farming. Experts warn of a biodiversity crisis: for example, one report found that roughly 34% of U.S. plant species are threatened by habitat loss and monoculture practices. When you grow heirlooms from Baker Creek, you actively participate in a living seed bank that keeps plant heritage alive.
By design, all Baker Creek seeds are open-pollinated and non-GMO. Gardeners can save these seeds each season, confident they will “grow true to type” (inherit the same characteristics). Clemson University seed specialist Brian Ward notes that because heirlooms are bred by farmers and families over generations, they remain stable and reliable. Baker Creek capitalizes on this by encouraging seed saving: many packets include tips on how to harvest and dry seeds. This empowers home gardeners to contribute to the cycle of biodiversity.
Baker Creek also supports organic and eco-friendly practices. Although not certified organic, their seeds come from growers who often practice organic farming. The company was an early adopter of the Safe Seed Pledge (vowing to sell only non-GMO seeds) and publicly educates customers on the risks of transgenic varieties. On their own farm, Baker Creek employs cover cropping, flower strips for pollinators, and minimal synthetic inputs. By providing organically grown heirloom seeds, Baker Creek reinforces the connection between gardening and environmental stewardship.
There’s also a cultural and nutritional aspect. Heirlooms often have better flavor and possibly nutrients compared to mass-produced hybrids. Jere Gettle and Baker Creek staff have frequently remarked that many home gardeners rediscover the true taste of vegetables – the “real tomato” that grocery store fruits lack. This focus on taste encourages people to grow more of their own food, supporting local food traditions and reducing waste. Socially, Baker Creek’s work supports seed sovereignty: customers from different backgrounds can grow their heritage crops (e.g. ethnic chili peppers, regional grains) without corporate patent restrictions.
Overall, Baker Creek Seeds is more than a retailer; it’s part of a movement. By selling seeds, they help gardeners reduce their carbon footprint (growing locally), protect pollinators (through flower seeds), and reconnect with nature. Many customers report starting seed exchanges or community gardens inspired by Baker Creek. In short, planting Baker Creek seeds is an act of sustainability and cultural preservation – each garden becomes a small seed-saving project that contributes to food security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Baker Creek Seeds different from other seed companies? Baker Creek specializes exclusively in heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. Their catalog (1,800+ varieties) is filled with rare, historic plants that mainstream suppliers often omit. They emphasize seed diversity and education: packets often include cultivation tips and origin stories. Customers buying Baker Creek seeds know they can save them for future use. In summary, Baker Creek stands out by offering an exceptionally wide selection of non-GMO heirloom vegetables, flowers, and herbs with a preservation mission.
Q: Are Baker Creek seeds organic? Baker Creek seeds are not certified organic. However, they are all untreated and non-GMO, which aligns with organic gardening principles. The company notes that their seeds “can certainly be used in an organic garden”. Many of their seed growers use organic or natural methods. So, while the packets lack the USDA organic label, gardeners using organic practices can safely plant Baker Creek seeds.
Q: How do I get a Baker Creek catalog? U.S. gardeners can request the free Rare Seed Catalog via Baker Creek’s website or a mail-in form. The catalog (164 pages) is mailed in late winter without charge. No purchase is required to get it. International gardeners can order the catalog too, but must pay postage. A PDF version of the catalog is also available online for those who want instant access.
Q: Does Baker Creek really offer free shipping? Yes! Baker Creek Seeds provides free standard shipping on every U.S. order. Whether your order is one packet or 50 packets, domestic shipping costs $0. (International orders must pay shipping rates.) The free catalog is also mailed at no charge within the U.S. Baker Creek’s generous shipping policy makes experimenting with many heirloom varieties economical.
Q: Where is the Baker Creek Seed Store located? The main Baker Creek Seed Store is at 2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield, Missouri (in the Ozark region). This brick-and-mortar store is part of the company’s farm, and it looks like an old-time seed shop inside. Visitors can browse all the heirloom seed packets, buy local produce, and tour the Bakersville village. All other sales (except at festivals) are done through the website or catalog.
Q: Do Baker Creek orders include bonus seeds? Many customers report that Baker Creek often tucks a few extra free seed packets into their orders. These are usually small samples of new or seasonal varieties. While not promised explicitly, it has become a common and celebrated perk.
Q: Does Baker Creek ship internationally? Yes, Baker Creek accepts international orders online via RareSeeds.com. However, free shipping applies only within the U.S. International customers will see shipping charges at checkout. Baker Creek also notes that international buyers should check their country’s import rules (some require phytosanitary certificates). The free catalog offer is also U.S.-only; international gardeners can purchase a catalog with paid shipping.
Conclusion
Baker Creek Seeds has earned its reputation as a beloved heirloom seed company by combining an immense variety of non-GMO seeds with a passionate mission. Their free annual catalog, immersive online store, and historic Missouri seed shop make it easy for gardeners to access rare, open-pollinated vegetable and flower seeds. Each packet tells a story – from a tomato variety treasured by families for generations to an exotic corn revived from indigenous fields. By growing Baker Creek’s heirloom seeds, gardeners not only harvest delicious, unique plants but also participate in preserving plant diversity for future generations.
Whether you’re looking to plant vibrant Baker Creek flowers to beautify your garden or want heirloom baker creek vegetable seeds to feed your family, Baker Creek Seeds offers the “treasures” to do so. Explore their catalog or website, try a few uncommon varieties this year, and join the growing community of gardeners who value history and flavor in every packet. Happy planting with Baker Creek Seeds, and may your garden be rich with heritage!
