Heritage Seed Library...

[rary]

I normally buy my seeds from T&M or Unwins, can any one tell me what the advantage is of Heritage Seeds and what benefits you get from being a member of Garden Organics, and please a discussion on the pros. and cons. of this not a slanging match

[veggiechicken]

You need to be a member of GO to join HSL, now - so its quite expensive - but its a good cause.
As a member of HSL you can choose 6 packets of seeds a year from their list of heirloom varieties - very few of which will be on sale be the mainstream seed retailers.
None of their seeds are F1.
There are benefits to being a member of GO - like free admission to their gardens and other gardens - none near me though. Lots more too but your heart has to be in it, I think.
I've cancelled my membership and buy my seeds from companies like Real Seeds instead.

[Alison]

I joined to keep some of the rarer seeds going and kind of stick one at big business, the seeds are a bonus and it's nice to try different things.

[rary]

Thanks for the info VC and I have just ordered seeds from Real Seeds and to be honest the prices are very good

[sparrow100]

Have ordered some of those, they sounded good

If anyone not in HSL wants Kent Blue, I put some in the VSP a while back, and if you ever need any more I grow them every year.

Thanks Sparrow
Just had a quick run through and was surprised at how many of them I have or recognise from the VSP. Even Realseeds Bijou mangetout is in there - and I have saved lots of those over the years.
What did you grow for HSL, Sparrow?

This year was Black Coco DFB and Sucrette squash, neither are being offered in the lists this year and I don't have a huge amount of seed to send back thanks to slugs. Am definitely growing Sucrette for them again, they are a lovely squash. But no more dwarf beans.

[Zelenina]

I joined before the rule change so I don't have to belong to Garden Organic as well. So I think I'll carry on being a member for now anyway.

My picks for this year are:

* London Market - carrots
* Carre de Caen - climbing French beans (real French ones!)
* Bronze Arrow - lettuce
* Green Nutmeg - melons
* Rousham Park Hero - onions
* Macedonian Sweet - peppers

Has anyone grown any of those before? Did I choose well? I'm pleased to hear that Sucrette are so good, sparrow, because I got them last year but didn't grow them yet.