It is never too early to buy seeds. I try to get all my seeds purchased before Christmas. That way, I'm not anxiously watching the mailbox for deliveries in January when it is almost time to start seeds. I like knowing that I have them on hand and won't be left hanging if the seed companies get overloaded and are behind on shipping their orders.

I've always purchased lots of seeds, not just of tomatoes but of many other types of veggies, and herbs and flowers as well, from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

I like the Sample Seed Shop, which is owned and operated by a Garden Web member named Remy. The seed packets are small and very well-priced, which makes it easy to try lots of new varieties. Since it is a particular favorite of mine, I'll link it below. At Remy's very reasonable prices, I always order far more seeds than I intended to order, and I have found some great varieties that were new to me by doing just that.

Pinetree Garden Seeds also is a terrific choice, as is Tomatofest. Seed Saver's Exchange is probably the first place I found heirloom tomato seeds, other than Burpee's line of heirlooms.

I love Victory Seed and Johnny's Selected Seed. I think I first bought seeds from Johnny's in the mid- to late 1980s and have been a customer of theirs ever since.

I also love Marianna's Heirloom Seeds because I always find something new (to me) and interesting to grow. This year, I grew her TexWine and DixieWine and have been happy with both.

I really loved Gleckler Seedsmen, which was a very old and defunct company reopened around 2009 by some members of the family. Unfortunately, it was not their main family business and they just didn't have time to run their main business and the seed company as well, so it has shut down again. That's a real shame because they offered great varieties that were true to type.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Tomato Grower's Supply Company too, which has an awesome mix of heirlooms and hybrids, and carries lots of pepper and eggplant varieties as well.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Sample Seed Shop

I buy most of mine from Baker Creek www.rareseeds.com