They're coming earlier and earlier each year. This past Monday I received my first 2007 seed catalog. Predictably, it was Thompson & Morgan which is nearly always the first to arrive. But never this early.

Geesh, I haven't even gotten the garlic in the ground or raked a leaf!! Usually I'll wait till "winter hibernation mode" is in full swing before I start catalog browsing. But I couldn't just file it aside and not look through it right away. I'm only human after all. Well, a gardener anyway.

I can order seeds anytime of the year, but I always wonder if the seeds are as fresh as they would be if I wait until January?
I am going to try and wait this year. At least a few more weeks!

what other good catalogs are out there? I've ordered from Parks, like Johnny's a lot, Burpee, what else is there?

There are so many seed companies! Here's a couple of good ones that sell heirloom seeds:
Baker Creek Seeds www.rareseeds.com
www.HeirloomAcres.net

I know I have a couple of dozen catalogs around here so that's just a few off the top of my head that have websites for easy shopping.

I think it's best to wait and order from the latest edition of a catalog. The seeds that are sold, say, in the 2007 catalogs, will have listed on their packets: "Packaged for 2007", indicating they're fresher than seeds ordered from the previous year's catalog. Even seeds sold on racks in Big Box stores, are labeled: "Packaged for [the new year]" so you're pretty well assured of fresh seed. Course.....even freshness doesn't necesarily asssure their viability!