If you’re starting an urban homestead, seed catalogs will be a regular part of your print diet. There are many kinds of free seed catalogs available – and you should grab as many as you can.
Talk to a few of your neighbors who have been bitten by the gardening bug. Not only will their enthusiasm be contagious, but they’ll probably be willing to share a few free seed catalogs with you. They could probably give you advice as to where you can find free seed catalogs of your own – local home and garden shops, gardening co-ops, grocery stores, and so on.

Browsing through a seed catalog is a good way to lose one’s self in a fascinating world of nearly limitless opportunities. Can we really doubt that our ancestors who pulled their food directly from the ground ate a better, healthier diet, at least where produce was concerned? Not to denigrate the wonders of the modern economy – yes, free trade and division of labor are beautiful things – it should be admitted that the farther food travels, the less valuable it becomes. It’s best to grow your own food, and second best to consume what’s locally grown. Free seed catalogs will help you get started.

Getting a few free seed catalogs is a good way to start an urban homestead – something that is becoming increasingly commonplace as urban sophisticates rediscover the values of simple, frugal food production.

Taking a tour through free seed catalogs will help you choose the best organic, non-hybrid, non-GMO organic heirloom bulk seeds that offer the tastiest, healthiest produce and yield seeds that can be stored and reused. All of the offerings in free seed catalogs are worthwhile, but why not start with the basics – say, corn, beans, and squash? Planting those staples will get an urban homestead off on a good start.
Next time you’re at the local farmer’s market, or chatting with a friend who’s a gardening enthusiast, ask about any nearby organizations that might offer free seeds. The chances are pretty good that you’ll find somebody interested in helping you take the first steps toward food independence.