Heritage Seed Library

[Digger-07]

I have just joined Garden Organic which used to be the HDRA. Has any grape experience of the heritage seed library?

[muckdiva]

It's fab! Love the choice of seeds in the catalogue, and we also joined Garden Organic at the same time, so get in to events at Ryton free or for just a nominal amount. Well worth your cash Digger 07, I am thinking

[seasprout]

Me too......

Beem a menber for a few years, can highly recommend the potato day and seed swap in Jaunuary. (Get there e arly)

[nick the grief]

I'm not a member of the HSL but am a member of HDRA or whatever they call themselves, I keep meaning to join but I don't have the room at the moment to grow extra crops for seed/trial but when I get the 2nd plot ......

[Heidi]

We've used their Adopt a Veg programme for my husbands grandad and aunt & uncle a few times and its been really good.

The first time we got him some Black Valentine Dwarf French Beans, and he did really well with them, so well in fact he's given seed to all his friends so now there is a mini-colony of them in West Somerset!

I'd be really interested in the Seed Swap - is there info about this on their website?

[Digger-07]

Heidi
There is loads of info on the web site but I've not found much about the seed swap hence this thread.

I joined the Organic Garden and hope that they have sent more information when the membership pack arrives.

[muckdiva]

Heidi
There is loads of info on the web site but I've not found much about the seed swap hence this thread.

I joined the Organic Garden and hope that they have sent more information when the membership pack arrives.

I don't think there is actually that much information about the seed swap available. There was a bit in the Organic Way magazine prior to when it took place in January to coincide with the tattie day. I went along, and they had a separate couple of tables for the seed swap, lots of Heritage Library seeds in packs and lots of other packs brought or sent in by members. I came away with some interesting varieties, and was able to pass on surplus seeds as well, so I found it a great idea.

I like the Organic Way magazine and the 'Seed News' newsletter too. Also, when you get the Heritage Seed Library catalogue early in the year, there is a page or two at the back listing members who have extra seed to swap and which varieties they are looking for, so that can also be useful.

[wheatleys wheels]

I have just signed up to the heratage seed library catalogue. But I too didn't see anything about a seed swap. Does this happen every year? I can't wait to see what is on offer if so. I always like trying to grow unusual things in my garden whether it be flowers or vegetables. So I'm giong to have to remember the seed swap.

[TonyF]

The only reason I stayed a member of Garden Organic when I moved to France - I remember Lawrence Hill so well, he must be spinning in his composter at the way it's going there with all the corporate stuff - was to remain in the HSL.

Would recommend it wholeheartedly, great fun, and I'm also joining the French version over the next few weeks.

[Dobby]

sounds interesting going to have to look it up
more seed catologs
has anyone got a link

[Digger-07]

Just got the welcome pack from them when I returned from the plot for lunch.

What a welcome pack!

The normal catalogue plus the HSL catalogue but because I joined too late for choice of seeds this year they sent me 7 complementary packs to try.

Plus leaflets about all sorts of ideas and practices for the plot and kitchen.

Plus a magazine.

Plus a heritage seed newsletter.

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/

Can't wait for the rain to come so I get time to sit down and read everything.

[nick the grief]

Well done Digger,

It's something I've been meaning to do for ages now but just never seem to have got round to it. I know when I've contacted them in hte past they have always been really polite & helpful - that was one reason I joined HDRA in the 1st place. I know that you can get some stuff cheaper from other sources but I figure that 5% (I think) of what I pay goes to helping them out so it makes me feel warm in side ..... or that could be the Tea I've just spilt

[Digger-07]

I'm all for education (being a lecturer I suppose I've got to say that) so any contribution made to making people aware of "organic" stuff and recycling in general has got to be worth it.

As an aside I've just read the HDRA paper on composting dog poo. Now there's an idea.

[nick the grief]

A riveting read isn't it and it will stop you biting your nails

[seasprout]

me too.

The seed swap was held for the first time this year at the same time and place as the potatoes day, it was a staggering success by the amount of people squeezing in around the small table they supplied. They have said they will provide more room for it next year.

I have some lovely bottle gourds growing away as a result of it, and I was able to off load lots of packets of commercial seeds i had left over as a result of overzealous shopping through out winter, Incidentally, I will be offloading lots of commercial packets at Gardeners World Live seed Swap as a result of overzealous shopping throughout spring.

Incidently this company sels their seeds in the Garden organic shop. Recomend you all request a catalogue, it has interesting products in it although a little pricey. If you are GO members you get a discount.
http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/