HSL catalogue

[SarzWix]

Mine arrived yeaterday, and my request form went in the post box this morning I'd really like some of the peppers, guessing they'll go quickly though. I've also put (in no particular order) a couple of types of pea, leeks, onions, swede, white carrots & some climbing beans. I'll be happy with whatever they send though! I joined too late last year to choose from the catalogue but they kindly sent some 'lucky dip' packets, which were a bit too late to sow, so we'll see if any of them are still viable - mostly peas & beans, some lettuce & tomatoes.
Although I love Christmas, I can't wait for January - getting my potting/sowing area set up, pots & trays scrubbed, propogator cleaned out etc...

[Flummery]

I somehow assumed Guardians to got choose. Naive little innocent that I am. (Waits for thunderbolt of retribution!)

[HeyWayne]

What's this 'eritage seed thing all about then?

[Flummery]

The Heritage Seed Library collects seeds of old fashioned varieties of veg no longer available in the commercial catalogues. This isn't because they're rubbish varieties - it is usually because they crop over a long period so are no use for commercial growers, or maybe they are varied in size and not uniform like the shops require. As it costs about £2,000 to register a variety to sell, most companies can't run to this unless they are going to sell masses. So for these varieties to continue in production, they can't be sold. You have to join an organisaton growing them and offering them to members. The HSL is part of the Garden Organic people - Ryton gardens, used to be Henry Dobleday Research Association (maybe still is?). You pay an annual joining fee and can then choose up to 6 varieties from their list. You are encouraged to bulk up your seeds and swap with others, the only stipulation is you can't use them commercially as they are not registered. However, they are happy to allow you to 'swap them for donations' to charitable causes. Seed Guardians grown them for their seed for the HSL and each variety will have a number of guardians in case one has a crop failure. Our TonyF is about to embark on a Guardianship this coming season.

Hope that helps.

[Hazel at the Hill]

When you join the Heritage Seed Library for a £20 membership fee, HW, your money not only goes towards preserving veg varieties which would otherwise become extinct, but you also get to choose 6 packets of seed (plus a lucky dip!) from the heritage catalogue.

There's a link somewhere.... (mind you, their web site's not enormously clear, in my view)

I've sent my request form in today!

Edit - D'oh - Flum beat me to it - and with a better explanation!!

[HeyWayne]

So I can join here?: Membership subscription rates

[Hazel at the Hill]

Yep!

[HeyWayne]

When you join the Heritage Seed Library for a £20 membership fee, HW, your money not only goes towards preserving veg varieties which would otherwise become extinct, but you also get to choose 6 packets of seed (plus a lucky dip!) from the heritage catalogue.

There's a link somewhere.... (mind you, their web site's not enormously clear, in my view)

I've sent my request form in today!

Edit - D'oh - Flum beat me to it - and with a better explanation!!

It's gone up too - £28 membership.

[TonyF]

And for us wot try to be organic in our gardening, it's an important project (imho) and those that can should support it.

I think seed guardianship is sort of the next step along from joining the HSL - you don't have to be clever or smart to join it and volunteer to be a guardian, just have the room and the patience to do the job as they ask you to do.

Mods, can you lock this thread please - my bloody catalogue STILL hasn't arrived and this lot may be getting MY seeds!!!!!!

[Hazel at the Hill]

It's gone up too - £28 membership.

No it's not - you want membership to HSL (£20, or £15 if you are a garden organic member) - it's £28 to join garden organic.

Told you the site wasn't clear!

[SarzWix]

It's gone up too - £28 membership.

That's to join the whole Garden Organic thing though, if you just want to be a member of the Heritage Seed Library (HSL) and get the choice of seeds etc, that's only £20.

[HeyWayne]

Bugger!! Just sent payment!

Wonder if I can quickly cancel...

Edit: Just spoke to a lady at Garden Organic - very pleasant and helpful. All sorted.

[TonyF]

And my catalogue STILL hasn't arrived ....................

[smallblueplanet]

Give 'em a ring Tony, or email them - maybe your la Posteman is suddenly starting a potager?

[Seahorse]

Tony, I emailed the lovely Trish at HSL when mine hadn't shown up and got a lovely reply, plus my catalogue sent in the very next post.