Burpee Seeds: Trusted Choice for Gardeners

Gardeners trust Burpee seeds for high-quality, reliable planting results. Founded in 1876, Burpee is one of the oldest and most respected seed companies. Its legacy of innovation and customer focus makes Burpee a popular choice for hobbyists and home farmers alike. From traditional vegetable seeds to exotic heirloom flowers, Burpee’s extensive catalog offers something for every gardener’s needs. The image below shows young seedlings sprouting from seed trays – the kind of success gardeners can expect when planting Burpee seeds.

Photo: Healthy seedlings emerging from a starter tray – a typical result when using high-germination Burpee seeds. Burpee’s century-old reputation ensures gardeners have confidence that their seeds will grow strong and vibrant. In fact, Burpee’s founder W. Atlee Burpee began the company after customers requested quality vegetable seeds. Today, Burpee continues to deliver on that promise with modern research and testing.

History and Legacy of Burpee Seeds

In the late 1800s, an 18-year-old Washington Atlee Burpee started a mail-order poultry and seed business. By 1878 he had founded W. Atlee Burpee & Company, switching focus to garden seeds as demand grew. Burpee’s pioneering approach set industry standards: he bred new varieties of vegetables and flowers at Fordhook Farms (established 1888) to ensure they thrived in American gardens. This early commitment to testing and quality turned Burpee into the largest seed company of its day – by 1915 Burpee distributed over a million catalogs each year. Today, that spirit of quality continues.

• Founder: Washington A. Burpee, mail-order seeds pioneer

• Established: 1876 in Philadelphia (company formed 1878)

• Historic Farm: Fordhook Farms (PA) for research and breeding

• Famous Varieties: Fordhook lima bean, Golden Bantam sweet corn, Iceberg lettuce (introduced 1894)

Burpee’s motto “Burpee Seeds Grow” dates back to 1890, reflecting the company’s focus on reliable germination and performance. With over a century of seed-breeding experience, Burpee continues innovating new varieties today. The company regularly releases improved vegetable and flower cultivars to meet modern gardeners’ needs.

Wide Variety: Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs and More

Burpee offers an enormous selection of seeds and plants to suit every garden. Its catalog and online store feature thousands of items. For example, Burpee seeds (vegetables) include famous favorites like Big Boy tomatoes, Blue Lake beans, and heirloom varieties such as Brandywine tomato Burpee seeds (flowers) span everything from easy annuals (marigolds, zinnias, impatiens) to perennial staples (coneflowers, daylilies) that provide season-long color. Gardeners looking to grow their own spice rack will find numerous Burpee seeds (herbs) – basil, thyme, cilantro, rosemary and more – suitable for kitchen gardens.

Burpee also carries specialty lines:

• Organic Seeds: Many Burpee vegetable and herb seeds are certified organic by Oregon Tilth, meaning they meet USDA organic standards (grown and packaged without synthetic chemicals). Organic vegetable varieties include lettuce, carrots, kale and others bred for taste and resilience.

• Heirloom Seeds: Burpee offers open-pollinated heirloom varieties treasured for flavor and history. These include heirloom tomatoes (such as Cherokee Purple or Mortgage Lifter), peppers and beans, each with distinctive tastes and qualities passed down for generations. For gardeners seeking the classic “old-fashioned” flavors, Burpee seeds (heirloom) are an appealing choice.

• Starter Kits: New or busy gardeners can start successfully with Burpee’s seed starting kits. These kits bundle popular seed packets (often mixed vegetables or herbs) with biodegradable pots, soil pellets and instructions. A Burpee seeds starter kit makes it easy to begin indoor sowing, ensuring proper spacing, light and care to get seedlings off to a strong start.

• Seedlings and Plants: In addition to dry seeds, Burpee sells live vegetable and flower plants ready for transplanting. Its garden-ready plants (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, etc.) ship timed to your zone to jump-start the growing season.

Photo: A gardener labeling trays with Burpee Bush Bean seeds. Burpee’s vegetable seeds (like bush beans and tomatoes) are known for consistent germination and growth. Whether planting rows of beans or a compact salad garden, Burpee’s vegetable collection is extensive. The company continually expands its offerings; for example, recent catalogs highlight new hybrid veggies with improved yields, disease resistance, or compact growth habit (ideal for containers and small gardens).

Why choose Burpee’s seeds? According to gardening experts and enthusiasts, Burpee’s selection of “named” reliable varieties makes choosing eas. Customers recognize names like Marketmore cucumber and Cherry Belle radish, and trust that these will perform well. The convenience of branded seed names helps even novice gardeners pick varieties known to succeed.

Quality and Reliability: Germination to Guarantee

A key reason gardeners trust Burpee is consistent quality. All Burpee seeds are high quality and rigorously tested. In fact, one source notes that “Burpee seeds consistently deliver superior quality that you can trust,” with germination rates up to 35% above industry norms. This means when you plant Burpee seeds, you’re likely to see a high percentage sprout and grow. Burpee supports this with a 100% satisfaction guarantee: if seeds fail to sprout, the company will replace them or refund your purchase. This guarantee covers all customers and reinforces the confidence gardeners have in Burpee products.

Photo: Seedlings beginning to sprout in starter cells. Burpee’s careful breeding and testing (at its Fordhook Farms research stations) help ensure high germination rates and strong plant development. Burpee’s long history of innovation (early adoption of seed photography in catalogs, development of lab-tested hybrid seeds) has created a strong brand. Today Burpee is fully non-GMO – all vegetable, flower, and herb seeds are guaranteed non-GMO – and many lines are offered organic. In practice, this means gardeners can grow with confidence that Burpee seeds will perform reliably in backyard plots or containers.

Other quality features:

• Fordhook Farms: Burpee still operates test farms (like Fordhook in Pennsylvania and Sunnybrook in NJ) where new varieties are trialed in real garden conditions Only the strongest, most garden-worthy plants make it to the catalog.

• Expert Advice: Each seed packet and catalog entry includes detailed planting instructions, spacing, and harvesting tips. Burpee’s website and catalog also provide growing guides for novices and experts alike.

• Disease-Resistant Hybrids: For many vegetables, Burpee has bred hybrid varieties resistant to common diseases or pests. This means less chance of crop failure.

Buying Burpee Seeds: Catalogs, Online Store and Coupons

Burpee seeds are easy to order. The company publishes a seasonal Burpee seeds catalog packed with thousands of options. Interested gardeners can request a print catalog (mailed to your home) or view it online. The catalog highlights new varieties, planting tips, and limited-time specials. Even more conveniently, Burpee’s full inventory is available burpee seeds online at Burpee.com. The website lets you browse by category (vegetables, flowers, herbs, etc.), read reviews, and order with fast shipping.

For brick-and-mortar shopping, many home improvement stores (like The Home Depot and Lowe’s) stock Burpee-branded plants and starter packs in the spring. However, shopping Burpee seeds online provides the greatest selection and often exclusive deals.

Speaking of deals, Burpee regularly offers discounts and coupon codes to help gardeners save. For example, coupon sites report promotions like “25% off orders over $50” or seasonal sales on seeds and plant collections. A recent Burpee coupon code gave 25% off any order as a limited-time deal. To find current Burpee seeds coupons, check official newsletters or third-party coupon sites. Applying a coupon at checkout can significantly reduce costs, especially when buying in bulk for a large garden.

Quick Tips for Buying:

• Visit the Burpee website to sign up for emails (they send early access to sales and exclusive coupon codes).

• Look for free shipping offers (sometimes available in spring or summer).

• Check clearance sections late in the season for deep discounts on seed packets (just watch expiration dates).

• Consider a Burpee seeds starter kit if you’re gifting or beginning gardening – these kits combine best-sellers with everything needed to start.

Gardening with Burpee: Tips and Resources

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, using Burpee seeds is straightforward. Here are some best practices and tips:

1. Follow Planting Instructions: Every Burpee seed packet lists sowing depth, spacing, and ideal planting times (often keyed to USDA zones). Stick to these guidelines for best germination.

2. Use Starter Trays or Kits: For seeds started indoors, use seed trays or the supplied pots in a Burpee starter kit. The trays help maintain moisture and warmth for tiny seedlings. A heat mat or bright grow lights can improve germination.

3. Soil and Fertilizer: Plant Burpee seeds in high-quality potting mix when indoors, and in well-prepared garden soil outdoors. Organic compost or seed-starting mix often yields the best results.

4. Water Gently: After sowing, water carefully to avoid displacing small seeds. Many gardeners use a fine mist or bottom-watering method for even moisture.

5. Transplant Carefully: When seedlings are large enough, transplant them at the recommended spacing. Toughen off indoor seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting.

6. Crop Rotation: Plan your garden layout so that you don’t plant the same vegetable in the same spot year after year. This practice prevents disease buildup in soil.

7. Share Success: A great way to increase engagement is to encourage gardeners to share photos of their Burpee-grown crops on social media. Tagging Burpee (#BurpeeSeeds, #BurpeeGarden) can inspire others and sometimes gets featured by the company.

Burpee’s own resources can also help: their website has a Growing Guides section, and the seed catalogs are packed with planting calendars and tips for each variety. By leveraging these resources, gardeners ensure that every Burpee seed planted has the best chance of thriving.

Gardeners’ Reviews and Community Feedback

Overall, user feedback on Burpee seeds is positive. Many gardeners appreciate the reliability and familiarity of Burpee’s varieties. Online communities often remark that Burpee seeds germinate well and the plants grow vigorously, especially for standard vegetables like cucumbers, beans, and squash. Some seed-saving enthusiasts note that while Burpee limits commercial re-selling of their seeds, home gardeners can freely save seeds from open-pollinated (heirloom) varieties.

As one gardening blogger put it: “What’s wrong with Burpee? Nothing at all.”. The blogger explains that Burpee offers named, recognizable varieties that many growers trust. Of course, some experienced gardeners also explore specialty seed companies for rare heirlooms, but Burpee remains a staple for mainstream gardening success.

If you’re curious about actual Burpee seeds reviews, look at customer feedback on the Burpee website or gardening forums. Reviewers often highlight things like seed packet quantity, shelf life, and flavor of the harvest. It’s reassuring to see that Burpee’s satisfaction guarantee means few negative experiences, as the company happily replaces defective seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What types of seeds does Burpee sell?
  A: Burpee’s catalog includes thousands of items. You’ll find Burpee seeds (vegetables) such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, and corn. There are extensive Burpee seeds (flowers) choices (annuals and perennials for color) and many Burpee seeds (herbs) like basil, dill, thyme, and oregano. The range also covers Burpee seeds (organic) for many vegetables and herbs, plus Burpee seeds (heirloom) varieties for classic tastes. Starter kits and even live plants are available. In short, anything from salad greens to squash, and from marigolds to roses can be sourced from Burpee.

• Q: How do I get a Burpee seeds catalog?
  A: You can request a free Burpee catalog on their website, or sign up by mail. Gardening centers may also have copies during seed season. The catalog lists new and popular varieties each year. You can also simply browse Burpee’s online store if you prefer digital browsing or want to order Burpee seeds online immediately.

• Q: Are Burpee’s seeds GMO-free and organic?
  A: Yes. All Burpee seeds are non-GMO by company policy. Many vegetable and herb seeds are certified organic (grown and processed without synthetic chemicals), though not every variety is organic. The packaging clearly labels organic and heirloom seeds so you can easily choose what fits your gardening style.

• Q: Does Burpee offer seed starting kits? How do those work?
  A: Burpee sells starter kits that include popular seeds plus pots, soil pellets, and instructions. These are aimed at beginners or gift-givers. You simply moisten the soil pellets, sprinkle in the seeds, and place the kit in a sunny spot. It’s a quick way to grow plants indoors before transplanting them outside.

• Q: Where can I buy Burpee seeds?
  A: The easiest way is Burpee seeds online at the official Burpee website. They ship nationwide. You can also find Burpee products in large retailers (like Home Depot or Walmart) and specialty garden stores. During spring, some supermarkets carry a limited selection. Shopping online usually offers the widest selection and freshest stock.

• Q: Does Burpee offer coupons or discounts?
  A: Yes, Burpee often has promotions. Check Burpee’s website banner, subscribe to their emails, or visit coupon sites. For example, recent codes included 25% off orders over $50. Also watch for holiday sales and clearance. Using coupons can significantly lower costs on large orders.

• Q: How can I ensure the best results from Burpee seeds?
  A: Follow the instructions on each seed packet for spacing and timing. Use fresh, quality soil, and provide adequate water and light. Since Burpee seeds have high germination rates, most failures happen when planting conditions aren’t ideal. Starting with kits or indoor trays can boost success. And remember, gardening is partly trial and error—take notes on what works, and you’ll get better each season.

Conclusion

For home gardeners, Burpee seeds remain a top choice because of the brand’s proven track record of quality, variety, and innovation. Whether you’re sowing your first pack of seeds or adding unusual heirlooms to your collection, Burpee delivers a range that’s hard to match. The combination of high germination rates, non-GMO and organic options, plus the convenience of both catalogs and online ordering means Burpee supports gardeners every step of the way.

If you want reliable results and the assurance of a century-old reputation, Burpee seeds are a safe bet. Start your next garden with Burpee, take advantage of current Burpee seeds coupons when you shop, and watch your garden flourish. Happy gardening!