Burpee Seeds: What You Need to Know About This Seed Company 🌱
If you garden—or are thinking about starting—you've likely encountered Burpee seeds. The company has been a familiar name in American gardening for generations, and understanding what they offer, where to find them, and how they compare to other seed sources is useful whether you're a casual grower or more serious about your garden.
Who Is Burpee and What Do They Sell?
W. Atlee Burpee & Co. is one of the oldest seed companies in the United States, founded in 1876. The company sells vegetable seeds, flower seeds, herb seeds, and gardening supplies. Beyond seeds, they offer bulbs, plants, garden tools, and other growing aids.
Burpee operates as both a direct seller and a retail presence. You can order from their website, purchase their seed packets at physical garden centers and general retailers, or find them through online marketplaces. This wide availability is one reason the name remains recognizable—many gardeners encounter Burpee seeds simply by walking into a local store.
The company is now owned by the same parent corporation that owns other garden brands, which affects product development and availability but doesn't change the basic function of what they sell: seeds intended to grow into plants.
How Burpee Seeds Compare to Other Options
The seed market includes a spectrum of sources, each with different characteristics:
Commercial retailers like Burpee occupy the middle ground. Their seeds are:
- Widely available in physical and online locations
- Moderately priced (neither the cheapest nor premium-tier)
- Tested for germination rates before packaging
- Bred or selected for traits that appeal to home gardeners (size, color, disease resistance, yield)
- Available across most common vegetable and flower varieties
Other major seed companies (such as Johnny's Selected Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, or Fedco) often operate similarly but may differ in:
- Regional focus (some specialize in seeds suited to specific climates)
- Breeding philosophy (some emphasize heirloom or open-pollinated varieties; others focus on hybrid performance)
- Price point and minimum order requirements
- Customer service model and return policies
Budget retailers sell seeds at lower prices but may have less information about growing conditions or smaller variety selections.
Specialty seed savers focus on heirloom, rare, or region-specific varieties, often at higher prices and with longer wait times.
Burpee sits in the mainstream commercial space—accessible, reasonably priced, and carrying varieties most gardeners recognize.
What Affects Seed Quality and Success
Not all seeds perform the same way, and understanding the variables helps explain why gardening results vary:
Germination rate is the percentage of seeds in a packet that will sprout under proper conditions. Reputable seed companies test this before selling. A high germination rate (typically 75% or higher, though this varies by seed type) means fewer wasted seeds. Burpee seeds, like other commercial brands, are tested, but specific rates aren't always printed on packets.
Variety selection matters significantly. A seed packet from Burpee labeled "tomato" might specify whether it's determinate or indeterminate, disease-resistant, early or late-season, and suited to specific growing zones. These details—whether Burpee includes them or not—shape what you'll actually grow.
Storage conditions before purchase affect viability. Seeds stored in cool, dry environments remain viable longer. Seeds exposed to heat or humidity deteriorate faster, regardless of the brand. Once you buy seeds, how you store them affects whether they'll grow next season.
Your growing environment (climate zone, soil type, sunlight, water availability, pest pressure) determines whether a seed will thrive. A seed is only as good as the conditions it's planted in. Burpee seeds are bred for broad appeal across many regions, which means they're optimized for average conditions rather than specialized for any single region.
Where to Buy Burpee Seeds
Direct from Burpee.com: The company's website allows you to browse their full catalog, read growing guides, and order online. They handle shipping directly.
Major retailers: Garden centers, home improvement stores, and big-box retailers stock Burpee seed packets seasonally (typically January through early summer in the Northern Hemisphere). This is often the most convenient option for quick purchases.
Online marketplaces: You can find Burpee seeds on third-party seller platforms, though purchasing this way means relying on the seller's storage practices and the accuracy of their product descriptions.
Discount retailers: Some clearance or discount stores carry leftover seed inventory, often at reduced prices. Quality depends on how those seeds were stored.
The channel you choose affects cost, convenience, and sometimes product freshness. Buying directly from Burpee or reputable retailers with high inventory turnover generally means fresher seeds than purchasing from a clearance bin stored in uncertain conditions.
Key Variables to Consider When Choosing Seeds
Your decision about whether Burpee is right for you depends on several factors:
| Factor | What It Means for Your Choice |
|---|---|
| Variety availability | Do you want tomatoes, rare heirlooms, or a mix? Burpee carries common varieties extensively; specialty seeds may be harder to find. |
| Growing zone | Are you in a region with specific climate needs? Burpee packets include zone recommendations, but some companies specialize in region-specific seeds. |
| Organic vs. conventional | Burpee offers both organic and conventional seeds. Check packet labels if this matters to your growing practice. |
| Budget | Burpee prices are moderate. Bulk seed buying or specialty companies may be cheaper or more expensive depending on what you need. |
| Convenience | Do you want to buy online, pick up locally, or browse in person? Burpee's retail presence offers flexibility here. |
| Growing experience level | Beginners often benefit from widely available, well-documented varieties like Burpee's; advanced gardeners may seek specialty genetics. |
What Information You'll Find on a Burpee Seed Packet
Standard seed packets include growing instructions, days to maturity, planting depth, spacing, and zone information. Some Burpee packets note disease resistance, plant size, and special characteristics. Reading the packet carefully before planting clarifies what to expect and how to care for seedlings.
The level of detail varies. Not all packets include everything a gardener might want to know, so having a separate reference (a regional planting guide, the Farmers' Almanac, or online university extension resources) is often useful.
The Real Difference Between Seed Sources
The truth is that seed quality and success depend more on your practices than on brand loyalty. A premium seed from a specialty company will fail if planted improperly, in poor soil, or in unsuitable conditions. A standard Burpee seed will thrive if you:
- Start with healthy soil or growing medium
- Plant at the correct depth and spacing
- Water appropriately for the plant type
- Provide adequate light
- Protect seedlings from pests and disease pressure specific to your location
Where seed source does matter is in genetics. If you need seeds bred for a specific disease, climate, or harvest window, some companies specialize in those traits more than others. Burpee, as a mainstream supplier, prioritizes broad appeal over regional specialization.
Evaluating Whether Burpee Seeds Fit Your Needs
Ask yourself:
- Are the varieties you want available from Burpee, and at a price point that works for you?
- Does your local store stock them, or is online ordering convenient?
- Do you want organic seeds, conventional, or are you open to either?
- Are you growing in a climate or region where Burpee's zone recommendations apply?
- Are you seeking specialty or heirloom varieties, or do common selections work for your garden?
Your answers to these questions—not the brand itself—will determine whether Burpee is the right fit for your gardening.