Where do you get your heritage/heirloom/unusual seeds from?

[tiachica]

Hiya,

I am quite keen on planting unusual plants and heirloom/heritage plants. However, since moving to the UK I haven't had the space or the resources to get hold of the seeds.

So I was wondering, where do you get your seeds from, if they are not passed down to you from family or friends?

Thanks!
Franziska

[Hazel at the Hill]

Becoming a member of the Heritage Seed Libraryis a great place to start - in return for a membership fee, you can chose 6 packets of heritage seeds. The money goes towards preserving old varieties which have been dropped from the European list, so are unavailable commercially.

If you pm me your address, I'll be happy to send you some heritage dwarf and climbing beans to start you off!

[Eyren]

Try Real Seeds - IIRC they charge a £1 "membership fee" to get around the daft EU rules about seed registration, then they refund it on your first order. Lots of unusual and heritage varieties that you won't see in the big catalogues.

[zazen999]

Hi

Real seeds charge a 1p fee...and are a great place to start.

We swap lots on here through the year - so grab a few you like and join in the swapping once you have saved some of your own! That's how I got started.

If you want some heritage/open pollenated toms and maybe a few other beans/peas PM me and I can also send some along.

And, PM Finedon Dandy and get your name down on the pass the seed parcel.

[lavender lou]

just looked at the both websites and they are great and got lots of info i've now added them to my favourites thank you

[selfraising]

I get some of mine from Victoriana nurseries

[King Carrot]

Thomas Etty have some interesting stuff too, I recommend the Sophie Co Co bean - I got mine from Real Seeds a while back but they don't have it at the mo.

Thomas Etty Esq. - Heritage Seedsman and Bulb Merchant

[tiachica]

Gosh,

soo many websites to bookmark! lol

Gotta trail through all of that now...

Thanks!
Franziska

[rogesse]

if you have anything to spare it might be worth doing as Zarzen says and getting on the seed swap. I had to pass last year as I had too little to spare. This year I have too much non hybrid seed and want to pass on the stuff I really enjoyed

[hydrogardener3]

I like Baker Creek Seeds. They have a beautiful full color large catalog. They usually send a free pack with your order.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - 1275 Heirloom Garden Seeds in our Heritage Seed Catalog, Historic Gardening Shows and Plant Festivals

[Eyren]

I like Baker Creek Seeds. They have a beautiful full color large catalog. They usually send a free pack with your order.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - 1275 Heirloom Garden Seeds in our Heritage Seed Catalog, Historic Gardening Shows and Plant Festivals

I see they take overseas orders as well - handy, since most of us Grapes are in the UK (and France).

I just ordered some seeds from MoreVeg - not big on the heritage varieties, but good for small amounts of seed at very reasonable prices. My late leeks failed to germinate (old packet from last year) so I needed some more seeds pronto - and of course I had to look around the website

The reason I mention them is that I also bought a selection of collard greens to try - not well known on this side of the Atlantic, but I thought it would be interesting to compare them with our native spring greens. At £1 for 20 seeds each of three varieties, I reckon it's worth an experiment!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Another vote for Real Seeds and Victoriana Nurseries Also try Pontzfield Herb Nursery (based in the Black Isle) - I managed to get Potato Onions from them plus a variety of unusual herbs and fruit bushes.

[StephenH]

Try Real Seeds - IIRC they charge a £1 "membership fee" to get around the daft EU rules about seed registration, then they refund it on your first order. Lots of unusual and heritage varieties that you won't see in the big catalogues.

Yes, they're good, and you get lots of seeds for your dosh. Disappointing onion list - all they have are bunching onions, no proper ones at all - but very good for other stuff. I got 'Cherokee trail of tears' pole bean, 'Amish paste' tomato, and various other things, the exact details of which i can't remember, from them.

What I really want, though, is a source of unusual varieties of seed potato that don't charge the earth in postage fees - trouble is, seed spuds are bulky and heavy. I particularly want to try 'Pink Fir Apple' and 'Salad Blue'. Anyone got any suggestions?

[FoxHillGardener]

Potato days are good for that. You pick what you want from buckets so can get as few or as may as you want. I'd rather have 6 of 6 different types than a 3kg bag of one variety.

There's a list here of events
UK Potato Days
but you're too late for this year, unless you're round Wiltshire way tomorrow?

What I really want, though, is a source of unusual varieties of seed potato that don't charge the earth in postage fees - trouble is, seed spuds are bulky and heavy. I particularly want to try 'Pink Fir Apple' and 'Salad Blue'. Anyone got any suggestions?

[stooriefit]

Got my seed tatties from Carrols Heritage Potatoes in Northumberland
Got a great variety of certified heritage seed,

Carroll's Heritage Potatoes

Regards Jock