Heritage Seed Library

[Matt94]

Im realy interested in growing rare and heritage varieties of veg (mostly peas) and ive been told by a member on another forum that this is the best place to go - but its 20 quid a year membership (you get 6 varieties of veg - around 10 seeds of each variety). All i want to know is are you a member and do you think its good value for money?

[zazen999]

I think so.

You don't exclusively get 10 seeds of each variety - the harder to get ones like cukes - you get less and the easier - like onions, leeks etc - you get about 50-80. Plus you can save from them and hence, swap with other savers for years after and pick 6 new varieties the next year.

[Matt94]

i take it your a member then zazen

[Hazel at the Hill]

I think it is good value too - it only works out at £3 a packet for seeds which although being more expensive than Aldi/Lidl/wilko etc is not much more that T&M seeds. For that you get seeds that you cannot find anywhere else.

And as Zaz says, you build up your own supplies and can play swapsies, so you will be getting subsequent varieties for 'free', along with feeling virtuous about preserving old/heritage varieties for the future.

Mind you, I am not a member this year due to the fact that I now have about 104 different varieties of beans and peas and really MUST STOP getting new varieties!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I'm a member and think it's worth it. On the go just now I've got Golden Grape tomato plants and curry pepper plants. About to plant (in a bit) Brejo FB (will go nicely with the Trail of Tears Bean - similar history), a Belgain dwarf pea, Hutterite Soup bean. Now where else will I find these seeds but the HSL.

[zazen999]

i take it your a member then zazen

I was before I started working for Garden Organic. And I will be when I don't work for them any more.

[veggiechicken]

Matt, I'm a member of Garden Organic and with that you can have a reduced price membership of the HSL £15. I know that makes it a lot more expensive overall and I know you're young so its a lot to find. There are concessionary memberships for students and the unwaged which help.
I like the fact that I am keeping some of these old Varieties going, and that I have the chance to try some of them myself.
This year I went to 2 local Seed swapping events and there were HSL seeds on offer freely at each. If you have any of those locally it would be worth a visit.
Meanwhile, perhaps someone would pay your membership as a birthday present!

[Matt94]

ive just been thinking about seed swapping events, but i dont think there are any in my area. maybe i'll speek to the commitee at my local horticultural society.

[gan heather]

I'm also a member and think it's good value for money. And very exciting when the new catalogue comes out and you get to see what's available for the year!

[veggiechicken]

Matt, here's a list of some in 2012 but all finished now I think. There was one in Sheffield - maybe next year - save some seeds ready!
Potato Days And Seed Swaps 2012

[Alison]

I've been a member of HSL for a few years now and have had some great stuff off them which I have then shared with friends and family. After a couple of years of HSL membership I decided to join Garden Organic too as you get a discount if you're a member of both. I don't use the GO membership as much as I'd like as I don't have chance to visit the gardens but do get a reduction on anything I buy from their catalogue and I think it's a good cause. I've also just received some shark fin melon seeds to trial as part of a GO thing which I'm looking forward to.

[Piggle]

I'm a member and I think it's great value as you get to try some varieties no one has ever heard of...... and the excitiment on here when the catalogue comes out is something to behold.