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Heritage Seed Library Sowing, growing and sharing...

Seed List 2015

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Photo Vegetable Variety Description Qty

Donated by Jill Campbell, this is a prolific and rampant

climber reaching 3-4m so will need supporting with trellis

or a frame. The small, cucumber-like fruits have a fresh

flavour, a cross between a minty cucumber and a green

pepper. Eat raw or in stir fries when young; when mature

they have tougher skins so stuff with meat, fish or cheese,

and then bake or make an achocha curry. Can also be

used pickled or as a base for chutney. For more

information, contact us for a copy of the Achocha ‘Variety

Profile’ from Seed News 25.

Achocha Achocha 8

Name translates as "land of four rivers". This is a long,

thin, Chinese aubergine, originally collected by Joy

Larkcom in Chengdu, Szechuan in 1994. Compact plants

(around 45-60cm) produce 20-25cm long, pointed fruits

that begin porcelain white, turning purple only when direct

sun reaches the skin. They need no salting and are not

bitter, ideal for moussaka, ratatouille and as a dip.

Aubergine Szechuan 20

One of a series of innovative breeding lines from the

former National Vegetable Research Station at

Wellesbourne (now Warwick HRI, part of Warwick

University), it remained a stalwart variety amongst

gardeners for many years. An early, prolific, round-rooted

type described by Lawrence Hills in The Vegetable Finder

as "perhaps the fastest growing beet, maturing in about 10

weeks, to about cricket ball size". It cooks and eats well

even in winter.

Beetroot Avon Early 40

Bred by Dobbies of Edinburgh in the 19th century this

variety produces attractive red stems and long, tapered

roots weighing up to 1½kg if allowed to grow on. Even at

this tremendous size the roots do not become woody.

Beets have a sweet flavour, some having lighter rings

when cut across. The roots can be cut prior to cooking

without any of the colour bleeding.

Beetroot Dobbie's Purple 40

Described by Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885) as an “American

variety with a long, slender, deeply buried root...

productive, and well-coloured kind”. Sweet and

flavoursome, HSL member Gareth Close says that it has

“the best flavour, wonderful for pickling”. This variety

stands well and is slow to go woody.

Beetroot Long Blood Red 40

Donated by Unwins Seeds in 1992, this variety has tender

flesh and is easy to peel therefore perfect for salads. Also

great for making Borscht; cabbage, beetroot and tomato

soup. If you’d like the recipe with this variety choice,

please mark ‘with recipe’ next to the variety name on

your Request Form.

Beetroot Ukrainian 40

Originally from Bossingham, Kent and donated by the

Rev. John Berryman who was given them by a native of

the village. Usually produces three sturdy stems. Our

donor recommends mid-November sowing; spring

plantings will need watering well to provide good sized, full

pods.

Broad BeanBossingham Long

Pod10


Donated by Jennifer Russell who was given seed by

Yorkshireman George Bowland, a retired farm worker who

had grown this variety for nearly 40 years. Jennifer wanted

them named after George, "in honour of a real gem of a

person." A tall variety (around 1.5m) that can be sown in

January for June cropping, often producing 35-45cm pods

with 8-12 seeds in each. Seed Guardian Adam Alexander

considers them "the finest broad bean for the table".

Broad Bean Bowland's Beauty 10

New for 2015

Our donor grew this longpod variety until it was deleted

from the National List and disappeared from catalogues.

Luckily her brother had been saving his own seed and

passed some back to her. A giant among broad beans

producing pods up to 40cm in length, with around 10

beans per pod.

Broad Bean Relon 10

This variety was passed to our donor, Cilla Platt, by her

husband's aunt who had been growing them since the mid

1960s when they were available commercially from

Dobies. The beautiful white, speckled-black flowers have a

delicious scent and are followed by lumpy pods filled with

delicious, bright green beans.

Broad Bean Rentpayer 10

Donated by Owen Smith in 1992, this field bean type

variety produces short cylindrical pods containing 3-4 very

sweet flavoured beans. Let us know what you think..

Broad Bean Sweet Lorraine 10

A very large heirloom variety developed by an Irish

allotment holder who saved seeds from his largest

specimen and shared them with his allotment neighbours.

Spring sown for late summer use it is a vigorous grower,

producing large firm heads that stand well until late

autumn/early winter. Delicious raw, very crunchy with a

spicy flavour. Retains both its texture and flavour when

cooked.

Cabbage Paddy 50

A spring cabbage originally donated by HRI, Wellesborne,

now part of Warwick University. Spring sown for summer

harvesting, it is a large, drumhead variety weighing in at

2.5-2.75kg in ideal conditions, so space at around 75cm to

allow for this. When eaten raw the flavour of the white

inner leaves is excellent. Susan Green describes them as

"the best cabbage I have tasted since I was a

child...absolutely wonderful".

CabbageSouthampton

Wonder50

The most spectacularly coloured of the calaloos, having a

deep red and green colouration. A real feature in

ornamental flower beds, especially when the dramatic

purple red-flower spikes form. Otherwise, it can be used

as greens in Indian or Bangladeshi cooking with tomatoes,

onions and spices.

Callaloo Bangladeshi Dhata 100


This is a typical Jamaican variety with large pale green

leaves showing some red colouration. Most Jamaican

people on allotments grow calaloo and it has a wide range

of uses: stir fried with coconut milk and tomatoes, in soups

and steamed with fish. The waist high plants have long,

drooping, lime green, tassel-like flowers.

Callaloo Mrs McGhie 100

A dark green, medium-sized leaf variety from India that

can be used instead of spinach and is particularly good in

curries with potatoes or chick peas. Its early growth is

slightly slower than other varieties, but it soon catches up.

The upright pale green flowers develop into very prickly

seed heads.

Callaloo Mrs Patel 100

A tapered, pale orange, maincrop variety good for late

sowing. Brought back from New Zealand by gardener Rob

Hole from the Bishop’s Palace, Wells in 1998. Described

in 1967 by Pedigree Seeds as “without doubt the most

tender and fully flavoured main crop carrot offered”.

Carrot Egmont Gold 100

A large, long, pale orange carrot with a tapered shape and

rounded shoulders showing no signs of greenback. Does

not have a strong carroty flavour when either raw or

cooked, but are crunchy and crisp. Seed Guardian Jane

Love suggests that they would be ideal for making

coleslaw.

Carrot Giant Improved Flak 100

John Purves, Oxford, originally collected seeds from four

he found amongst a bag given to him by a neighbour for

his rabbits in the mid 1970s and over many years obtained

a pure line of purple roots. He passed on seeds to

Warwick HRI for their long-term preservation. With John’s

consent, some were released to us. John says, “Tastes

like an orange carrot - crisp and flavoursome”.

Carrot John's Purple 100

Originally from Finland, this traditional early ‘short horn’

type carrot has very wide, stumpy roots, which are deep

orange-red in colour. Guardian Anne St John notes that

they have a mild flavour and are good boiled, steamed or

grated in salads. They freeze (un-blanched) and store

well.

Carrot London Market 50

Also from Warwick HRI this fast growing, large and tasty

19th century Australian heirloom has no hard core and can

be eaten at any stage from baby to full maturity. Described

in Carters Blue Book of Gardening in 1934 as “A veritable

giant, both in length and bulk, specimens have been

exhibited measuring 30” long.” HSL member Gareth

Close adds, “The best carrot ever! Superb flavour and

trouble free to grow”.

Carrot Red Elephant 50

The commercial variety English Winter was once the basic

hardy winter cauliflower. This vigorous strain was

introduced in 1896 and bred for sowing in May, planting

out in July and harvesting the following May/June. Suttons

1977 catalogue says, “dwarf and compact. Extremely

hardy, rarely affected by frost and produces splendid white

heads”.

CauliflowerEnglish Winter/Late

Queen100


Donated by HSL member Heather Lynn when it was

dropped from the National List in 1997. Suttons say, "A

quick growing, smooth, round-rooted type with a beautiful

white flesh which does not discolour after boiling". Sandra

Slack adds "sweet and nutty, makes a lovely soup." Also

invaluable diced or grated raw as a tasty addition in winter

salads.

Celeriac Tellus 150

This variety is used in stir-fries or in salads. It has quite a

strong perfumed taste, so we would recommend using it

sparingly, mixed with other vegetables. The attractive

white and yellow daisy flowers are popular with butterflies

and hoverflies and good for cutting as well as making a

pretty addition to salads.

Chop Suey

GreensYings Shungiku 20

Donated by HSL member Martin Diment who acquired this

white-flowered bean from a friend in Sweden, but it is

originally from the USA. A little later than other varieties,

Martin says, “Produces a large crop of meaty, yellow,

pencil pods over 20cm long, ten beans per pod. Excellent

flavour as green beans, either hot or for bean salad.”

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

B & B 10

Vigorous vines prolifically produce mottled pods that yield

round, speckled seeds. The speckling isn’t truly blue, but

it comes close. Early, vigorous and very attractive when in

flower and pod so ideal for the ornamental garden. Eat

fresh, frozen as green beans, or as flageolets when very

young, though really a classic drying bean.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Blue and White 10

This variety produces tall plants (around 2.4m in height)

with dark green leaves, purple flowers and stringless,

mottled purple pods, which turn dark green when cooked.

Also makes a very tasty dried bean.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

Carters Polish 10

Thought to have originated in Poland, this variety

produces creamish-white flowers and attractive pods that,

when mature, are green flushed with red. Use fresh as a

succulent, stringless green bean, ideal for salads.

Alternatively, the half white and half red, sometimes

mottled, dried beans make an attractive addition to soups

and stews. Seed Guardian Jackie Newey thinks that they

are "amazing!" and grows some every year.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

George's 10

Our donor, Clare Norton, was given these seeds by a

friend whose father had grown the variety since the 1940s.

The seeds had been passed down through the Hodgkin

family since that time. The bean produces pinkish-mauve

flowers followed by flat, tender, mottled purple and green

pods.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Hodgkin 10

New for 2015

Donated by John Yeoman, who originally acquired them

from Abundant Life Seeds. A very tall bean (around 2.5

metres) with pretty purple flowers followed by large

streaked pods holding large light brown seeds with black

striping. Thought to be good when pods eaten whole, or

the beans shelled.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Jembo Polish 10


Passed to our donor, Mr Luxton, by his father in 1960. Mr

Luxton Senior was given the seeds by Major Cook, a

colleague in The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

in Albert, France. Major Cook was a keen gardener and

trained at Kew. Probably originally developed in

Southampton in about 1900 by experimental horticulturist

Alderman Vokes (Major Cook's Grandfather). Produces

pretty purple-violet flowers followed by a huge crop of

stringless beans with a very fine flavour.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Major Cook's Bean 10

New for 2015

Donated by Syd Melbourne who was given seeds in the

1970s by a fellow vegetable gardener at Hurst

Horticultural Society Show, Bexley, Kent. It is a tall, easy

to grow variety which produces very pale yellow flowers

followed by a heavy crop of round, green pods. So tender,

the young pods can be eaten raw or cooked.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Melbourne's

Miniature10

Donated by Dilys Skilleter and Margaret Goodbody,

allotment neighbours in Bristol. Doris Fortune acquired

the beans from the retired Head Gardener at Windsor and

gave Margaret some many years ago. Prolific and tall

(2-2.5m) with pale blue flowers and smooth, green and

blue mottled pods, which darken when mature. Stringless

and tender, the pods can be eaten whole, beans shelled

and eaten fresh or used dried - great at all stages!

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Mrs Fortune's 10

Donated by Mrs A M How of Leicestershire, but originally

from her neighbour who was given these seeds by Mrs B

Lewis of Suffolk. Mrs Lewis said that this bean was not

commercially available any more but believed it to be

‘Purple Pod’, mentioned in a 1979 Percy Thrower book.

Grows to 1.8m with purple stems and very dark leaves.

Small purple flowers are followed by bright, shiny, flat

purple pods. “Lovely raw when young and steamed when

a little bigger” says Seed Guardian Caroline Wright.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Mrs Lewis's Purple

Pod10

Thought to be of Iroquois Indian origin, the donor, William

Woys Weaver, notes that the name refers to the bean’s

colour, speckled like a wild pigeon. It is known in the USA

as a 'cut-short bean' or semi-pole bean, referring to the

runner (around 1m high) it sends out on which the beans

are produced. Used traditionally as a dried bean.

Climbing

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Wild Pigeon Bean 10

This semi-climbing variety of bean produces lilac flowers

followed by green pods. The pods can be a little stringy,

however, the shiny black seeds are perfect as a drying

bean. Thought to have originated with the Zapotec

Civilisation of Western Mexico, who not only used it in

soups and stews, but also as a dye for women's black

shawls in the Oaxaca Valley.

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Black Delgado 10

A Native American heirloom donated by John Yeoman. A

vigorous vine (up to 2.5 metres) produces lilac flowers

followed by stringless flat, straight, green pods with red

mottling when mature. Seed Guardian Rosemary Hall

says, "they have a delicate flavour, not as robust as runner

beans" and the friends she shared them with all agreed!

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Brejo 10


Originating in Normandy and first mentioned in 1868 in the

Botanical Garden Conservatory of Caen 'Carre' when

translated means 'square' which is thought to describe the

shape of the beans as they are pushed up against each

other in the pod. Hardy, prolific and growing to 2-2.5m in

height it produces white flowers that gradually become

apricot when mature. Petite pods are produced in

abundance and contain around six small beans, perfect for

shelling.

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Carre de Caen 10

When this variety was grown at Ryton we found that it

produced very healthy plants, growing to 2-2.5m tall. The

flowers are pale pink to lilac followed by stringless long,

green, flat pods. We would really value your opinion on

these beans, do let us know what you think of them.

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Czechoslovakian 10

Donated by Ms J M Cullen of Friston, Sussex who has

grown this ex-commercial bean for at least 30 years.

Originally from Ryder’s of St Albans just before the firm

was sold on in the 1970s and all of its varieties

discontinued. The 1970 Ryder’s catalogue describes it as

“a heavy bearer, absolutely stringless and of delicious

flavour, may be sliced or cooked whole.” HSL Member Mr

Harvey adds "tasty cooked and eaten cold with a salad,

but equally as good eaten hot."

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Ryders Top O' the

Pole10

Produces tall, vigorous and hardy vines (>2.5m) with dark

green, almost black, foliage. The large, white seeds are

most curious, as each is marked with a solitary saint-like

figure dressed in monk robes. Young beans are lovely

eaten fresh and freeze well, retaining their rich flavour.

Can also be used dried.

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

San Antonio 10

Donated by Irma Jacyna, this bean from Western Ukraine

is named after her sister. The creamish-white seeds are

traditionally grown for winter storage as dried beans,

however the light green, stringless pods can be eaten

fresh when young.

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Siglinde 10

Achieved an RHS first-class certificate on its introduction

in 1885 and probably synonymous with ‘Tender & True’

and ‘Guernsey Runner’, neither are still commercially

available. A good cropper producing straight, long,

delicious flat pods. Donor Martin Roberts says, “When

dry, the seed makes a superior chilli bean!”

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Veitch's Climbing 10

Our donor, Dr Rosemary Sassoon, believes that these

beans were found in Spain and brought to Britain in the

1950s by her late father, Frank Waley, who was a plant

hunter. Thought to perform best when sown later (May-

June) and seem particularly well-suited to dry conditions.

HSL member Jane Cropp found that the pods were

delicious picked young, then parboiled with butter. Jo

Steranka says "They're Great!" what do you think?

Climbing

French

Bean

(green pod)

Waley's Pea Bean 10


New for 2015

Produces squat fruit with rounded ends and netted, pale

buff skin that is heavily mottled brown. Not especially

vigorous, but the fruit produced have a fresh, crunchy

texture even when very ripe. The flavour is pleasing,

remeniscent of melon, but not quite as sweet.

Cucumber Armenian 4

Developed at the Crimea Station of Research and Plant

Breeding in the former Soviet Union. Passed via Seed

Savers USA, and Koanga Gardens New Zealand (the NZ

equivalent of HSL), eventually coming to the UK with our

donor, Deborah Duffield. A hardy, early variety tolerant of

extreme weather conditions and thought to show

resistance to powdery mildew. Fruits are thick-skinned and

juicy with no bitterness.

Cucumber Dekah 4

An Estonian pickling variety donated by Heine Refsing. A

ridge variety with short, plump, prickly fruits borne on

compact bushes. It tolerates poor treatment and cool

temperatures, though requires a nitrogen-rich compost to

perform well. The juicy flesh has excellent flavour but

remove the spiky skin first!

Cucumber Izjastsnoi 6

The pale green fruits with smooth, glossy skin and lime

green striping can be a little thick skinned but are easy to

peel. Produced an average of 18 small cucumbers per

plant when trialled here in 2012. Seed Guardian Gill

Browning says, “It looked good, tasted good and grew

well”. What more can you ask for?

Cucumber Jordanian 6

Originating from Bangladesh, this makes a pleasantly mild-

eating, mid-sized cucumber with a triangular cross-section

when cut, rather like a famous brand of Swiss chocolate

bar! Let the fruit fully ripen or you won’t tell the difference

between this and a normal cucumber, but grown under

cover it’s easy, fruitful and relatively trouble free.

Cucumber Kheera 5

A vigorous, hardy and productive ridge variety. The long,

straight, almost spineless fruits grow to around 20-30cm

and have an excellent flavour. Sutton’s Seeds 1977

catalogue states, “Will crop well into the autumn provided

that the fruits are cut before they get too old”.

Cucumber Perfection 5

Collected from Highfields in Leicester, this dudi is slightly

later than others we have offered previously, but will

produce fruit the size of a small child!

Dudi Mo Sayed 5

New for 2015

Donated by John Yeoman, this heirloom variety originated

in New York in the late 1890’s. The heavy yielding,

bushes produce pretty lilac flowers with purple outer

edges and veins followed by 15-20cm dark purple,

stringless pods. The fresh beans are excellent steamed

and freeze well.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Bountiful 10


New for 2015

Our donor, Martin Roberts, acquired this very old French

variety from the Tezier Freres catalogue many years ago.

It is particularly early, reliable producer of long, slim pods

that are green streaked with purple. Best eaten young,

when Martin says the flavour is excellent.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Deuil Fin Precoce 10

A compact, yet vigorous and prolific variety. White flowers

have a slight pink blush and are followed by flat, straight

pods that turn yellow with pink marbling when mature.

These pods are tender and delicious when young, but this

is really a rich-flavoured shelling bean, perfect in salads

and when dried, in succotash.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Dwarf Horticultural 10

New for 2015

Named after the Hopi people, a native American tribe of

north-east Arizona who used the beans not only for food,

but also as a source of dyes. The compact (35-50cm) but

prolific plants produce dark lilac flowers followed by a

generous crop of flat, greenish-yellow pods. These can be

eaten fresh when young, or allowed to mature when the

dried beans are great in chillis or as refried beans. Also

thought to show some drought resistance. Sow to harvest

90 days (approx.)

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Hopi Black 10

Grown by Mr Brooks in the 1960s, but passed to us by his

neighbour, Mrs Seeley, who has grown the beans since

1969. Produces very attractive, mauve and lilac flowers

followed by slim, flat, purple pods. Best picked when

young as it becomes a little stringy as it matures. Sow to

harvest 70 days (approx.)

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Mr Brooks' Blue

Bean20

Jill Rushenbrooke acquired these beans of Dutch origin

from Dave Twinberrow, a gardening friend. Mr Twinberrow

had grown them since the late 1960s. The dried beans

were thought to look like peewit (lapwing) eggs, hence the

name. Hardy and compact plants (30-45cm) produce a

profusion of green pods with attractive pinkish mottling.

Can be eaten as green beans, but perfect for use dried.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Peewit 10

Grown on the edge of the Lincolnshire Fens by our

donor’s father since the 1940s, these prolific and bushy

“knee high” plants produce beautiful mauve flowers and

striking flat, green pods with purple striping. Best as

young, tender pods, when they are delicious steamed,

though the dried beans have a great flavour and meaty

texture.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(coloured

pod)

Snake Bean 10

New for 2015

Thought to have been grown by the mountain people of

Tennessee, this American heirloom produces bushy

plants, but sends out one or two leaders. Pretty lilac

flowers are followed by dark green pencil pods, which

cling to the seeds, becoming mottled with reddish purple

when they mature and left to dry.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(green pod)

Blue Bloom 10


(syn. ‘Superlative’) A French heirloom introduced in 1913

by Carter’s Seed Company. A late variety producing

strong plants with white flowers and slim pencil pods. Best

eaten young, but the attractive black and white dried

beans are ideal for soups and stews. Sow to harvest 90

days (approx.)

Dwarf

French

Bean

(green pod)

Magpie 10

One of the many varieties donated by Harlow Carr Botanic

Gardens. Roughly translated from the Russian means

"broad or wide-podded". White flowers are followed by flat

pods produced in profusion. Best as a green bean; string

free and delicious when young.It is a very early variety that

also shows some frost tolerance.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(green pod)

Shirokostruczkovnia 10

This New England, USA heirloom dates back to before

1876. Ideal for British conditions, hardy and with good pest

and disease resistance, it produces an abundance of

attractive white flowers and small pods filled with beans

that are cranberry-like in both shape and colour. Green,

shell or dry, it has a unique sweet flavour. Sow to harvest

60-85 days (approx.)

Dwarf

French

Bean

(green pod)

Vermont Cranberry 10

Journalist, professional gardener and politician Xenia Field

died, aged 103, in 1998; this bean is without doubt a

tribute to a most fascinating woman. Once available from

Unwins it was claimed to be high yielding, disease

resistant and perform well in British conditions. White

flowers are followed by straight, green pods that are best

picked when young and stringless. Also freezes well.

Dwarf

French

Bean

(green pod)

Xenia Field 10

This is the most productive of the Indian mustards that we

tried and was collected from the St Mary’s Allotments in

Leamington Spa – a multicultural hotch-potch of vegetable

growing.

Indian

Mustard

Gupta's Indian

Mustard50

(B. oleracea)

Described by Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885) it is reputed to be

one of the tastiest of kales, and treated more like broccoli.

Plants grow to around 1.5m producing violet tinged,

fringed leaves which when picked young are mild-

flavoured and really tasty. Guardian Kathy Kromm sprouts

the seeds for winter salads. In spring (February-April) the

flower shoots can be blanched and eaten like asparagus.

Seed Guardian Keith Woolley found that it also shows

some clubroot resistance. Compact, reliable, hardy and

very productive.

Kale Asparagus 200

(B. oleracea)

An American heirloom from the southern state of Georgia

that can be dated to before 1880 and shows good

resistance to both heat and cold. A prolific producer of

huge, dark green leaves with white veins. Tasty and full of

flavour.

KaleGeorgia Southern

Collard100


New for 2015

(B. oleracea)

Donated by Jane Brace, who acquired it from organic

crofters Tommy and Mary Ibster of Burland, near

Scalloway, Shetland. Reputedly grown on Shetland since

the 16th Century, it was a crucial source of winter food for

livestock and spring greens for the crofters. It is a very

hardy, wind resistant heading kale, developing some

purple colouration as the temperatures fall.

Kale Shetland 50

New for 2015

(B. oleracea)

Donated by Mr D Orton, this very old variety was

described by JL CLucas Ltd in 1953 as "one of the most

useful vegetables grown for a supply of "greens" from

October to the end of April." It produces very curly leaves

on compact plants 30-45cm in height and around 30cm

wide.

Kale Tall Green Curled 50

(B. oleracea)

Donated to the Heritage Seed Library by Peter Handy and

named after John Theyer, whose spinster daughters (born

in the 1850s) took the kale with them when they set up

home in Hucclecote, Gloucestershire. The family

continued to grow it and passed seed to Mr Handy.

Compact, hardy and productive, it is similar in appearance

to Ragged Jack, with less purple colouration on the

leaves.

Kale Theyer's 50

A Chinese lablab with lovely scented lilac flowers and

pretty pods – lime green, often with a reddish purple edge.

Flowering should start by July from an April sowing. This is

the type called liva in Gujerati which produces broad flat

pods. We found this to be the mildest flavoured lablab of

the ones we’ve grown so far.

Lablab

beanYings Lablab 10

An ex-commercial variety from Suttons Seeds who

described it as “a very early maturing variety suitable for

autumn use”. However, Garden Organic member Sheila

Travers found that it over-wintered in the Scottish climate.

Produces light green leeks with minimal bulbing at the

base and a lovely flavour, not too strong.

Leek Early Market 40

John Size, formerly of commercial seed merchants Seeds

by Size, donated this variety in 1993. A selection from

'Giant Winter' it is hardy and has good winter storage

qualities. HSL member Mr A R Brown describes them as

"Fantastic! Lovely display and great taste!"

Leek Kelvedon King 60

Donated by Mark Goff whose neighbour, Sim Seger, grew

this variety for 22 years because they performed well in

his locality of Marton, North Yorkshire. A hardy leek, which

appears to be disease resistant too. HSL member R

Wightman describes them as "good looking, sizeable and

tasty". What more can you ask for?

Leek Sim Seger 60


The long white stems of Walton Mammoth are a

tremendous thickness and mature rapidly. It is said to be a

wonderful show variety with good resistance to rust. HSL

member Gareth Close found that this variety performed

best if sown early.

Leek Walton Mammoth 80

Listed in James Carter's 'Catalogue for a Choice

Collection of Floricultural, Vegetable and Agricultural

Seeds of 1842, this variety was described by a contributor

to The Gardener (1867) as "ought to be in every garden.

No other variety can surpass it". Thought to be

synonymous with 'Brighton Cos', the large, dark green

leaves have a rust coloured tinge and are flavourful, crisp

and juicy.

Lettuce Bath Cos 50

An ex-commercial variety donated by M Ward in 2007.

Cos-type with crisp, green leaves speckled with red. Our

donor suggests planting out in autumn and over-wintering

with protection; the lettuces will heart up for early summer

harvesting.

Lettuce Bloody Warrior 50

A beautiful, productive California heirloom, popular in the

USA but almost unknown here. Drought and cold hardy,

so ideal for autumn sowing and overwintering; it survived

frost and snowfall at Ryton. Also less popular with slugs. A

large, non-hearting lettuce; the attractive, arrowhead-

shaped leaves have a distinctive bronze tinge and mild

flavour. Seed Guardian Keith Bickmore describes it as

“outstanding”.

Lettuce Bronze Arrow 50

Donated by (the late) Mr Harris of Bridgwater during the

1980s, this unusual, open-hearted cos type lettuce can be

grown all year round; robust enough for autumn or spring

sowing. The thick, juicy, dark green leaves have a

distinctive, nutty flavour, a real lettuce-lovers lettuce.

Lettuce Bunyard's Matchless 50

Originally bred by W Atlee Burpee Company, USA, and

introduced in 1884. Our donor, Jane Anger found seeds in

an allotment shed, left behind by a previous tenant.

Described by Burpee as having “medium-sized compact

heads with heavily ruffled leaves and crisp, tender hearts.”

A classic, crisphead lettuce, thinnings make delicious

extra-early salads. 85 days from seed to harvest (approx.)

Lettuce Burpee's Iceberg 50

A large, loose-headed, oak leaf variety. Seed Guardian Bill

Dale reports, “A lovely crisp lettuce producing a frothy

pillar of copper/bronze and green leaves. Decorative both

in the garden and on the plate. Quick to be eaten but slow

to bolt!”

Lettuce Carnival 50

Donated by Mrs B Richardson in 1997; her late husband’s

family had grown the variety for at least 60 years. Autumn

sown, this cos lettuce stands well with protection

producing reddish-brown tints on the outside leaves. We

found this slow to bolt even inside a polytunnel.

Lettuce George Richardson 50


Austrian heirloom dating back to the 1700s. A slow-

growing, compact lettuce, its unusual crinkled leaves have

a pretty red tinge to the margin, brightening up any salad

bowl. These tightly packed leaves blanch the heart, giving

it a sweet flavour. Known to be cold hardy. 77 days sow to

harvest (approx.)

Lettuce Mescher 50

Donated by Dilys Skilleter, whose sister acquired seed

from Luc Soulie of Tarn, southern France. This variety has

been, and still is, saved by generations of the Soulie

family. A cos lettuce, upright with red-tinged, fairly loose

leaves. Surprisingly crisp with a pleasant sweet flavour.

Reluctant to run to seed.

Lettuce Soulie 50

Originally from Stoke, near Rochester, Kent and grown by

the Cheesman family for 170 years, but probably dates

back to before 1840. A compact and trouble-free lettuce,

perfect for growing in limited space; HSL member Alison

Chivers grows hers successfully in tubs. The dark green

leaves are crunchy, flavoursome and slightly sweet. They

also keep well. Sow to harvest 70 days (approx.)

Lettuce Stoke 50

Originally from Sutton’s Seeds but deleted from the

National List in the late 1990’s. Tolerant of hot weather,

the large iceberg lettuces have frilly leaves and crisp

hearts with excellent flavour. Quick to mature. For

successional sowing from March to July outdoors, or in

October with protection for harvesting in early May.

Suttons themselves describe it as "specially

recommended".

Lettuce Windermere 50

Originally from the Vilmorin Seed House, this variety was

donated to HSL by Richard Stockwell. It is a mid-season,

Charentais type melon producing round fruits,

approximately 12-15cm in diameter and just under 1kg in

weight, with delicious sweet, orange flesh. We would love

to know what you think of this one.

Melon Cantalun 6

Described by Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885). A vigorous vine

prolifically produces small, dark green, ‘netted’ fruit.

When ripe they have soft-textured, juicy, pale green flesh;

HSL Member David Martin says allowing a few days

between harvest and eating sweetens the flesh further.

Does well in a cold frame or polytunnel, and outdoors in

warmer areas.

Melon Green Nutmeg 10

A Russian variety donated to HSL by Masha Borodina.

‘Luk Batun’ when translated means bunching onion

(Allium fistulosum). The onions form clumps of thumb-

sized, purple tinged, crescent-shaped bulbs. Their mild

flavour makes them ideal for salads, soups and stir-fries.

Onion Batun 50


New for 2015

Donated by Donald Baker this variety has been in use

since 1793. Listed in EW Kings 'Wholesale Catalogue of

Vegetable Seeds' in 1898, it was possibly re-named

'Austrailian Brown' by Burpees around this time prior to its

sale outside Australia and New Zealand. Still marketed in

Australia by Yates Seeds who describe it as "Golden

globes or crisp, pungent flesh. An excellent, main crop

variety."

Onion Brown Spanish 50

Translated literally this means ‘onion white jumbo’, a

particularly good description of this Italian variety. It is a

large, mid to late maturing, globe-shaped white-fleshed

onion with thin skin. Sweet and mild, but full of flavour, no

streaming eyes while slicing either! Medium storage

capacity.

OnionCipolla Bianca

Agostana50

This Russian onion was acquired by Teresa Cherfas and

Masha Borodina at the market place in Pushkino, about 40

km from Moscow, where many gardeners sell their home-

saved seeds. A uniformly cropping, pale skinned, flattened

bulb.

Onion Lukovidzky 100

Grown by the family of our donor, J Freeman, for more

than 100 years and originally given to her great, great

grandfather as a wedding present, this ancient variety

dates back to at least Elizabethan times. Protein rich

(about 25%) this classic drying pea is still traditionally

eaten in northern England on Carlin Sunday (the Sunday

before Palm Sunday). The peas are soaked in brine

overnight, boiled and eaten with salt and vinegar or

doused in beer or mint sauce. Some say that the day

commemorates the arrival of a shipload of peas in

besieged Newcastle in 1644, saving many from starvation.

Attractive pink and lilac flowers are followed by pods of

small, brown mottled seeds.

Pea (round

seeded)Carlin 10

An ex-commercial variety from Robinson’s Seed

Company, Lancaster. Our donor, Mrs Whitely of Hornby,

Lancashire, has grown this pea since 1971. Described by

Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885), it is tall (>2.1m), thick-stemmed,

reliable and vigorous requiring sturdy supports. White

flowers are followed by long, dark green pods, with up to

ten peas in each. Excellent raw or cooked and freezes

well. Guardian Margaret Lingard comments, “Really

reliable variety. Tasty too.”

Pea (round

seeded)Duke Of Albany 10

(syn. ‘Early Henry’)

Donated by Jean Bollkaemper who grew it in Germany

before it disappeared from commercial catalogues. A

round-seeded, mangetout type, growing up to 1.5m, so will

require staking. Jean says, “It is more reliable than any

new variety. Stands up to drought and crops well for

months. The pods are deliciously tender when picked

small.”

Pea (round

seeded)Frueher Heinrich 10


Donated by D Bland of Wellingborough,

Northamptonshire. Vegetables of New York (1928) states

that Messrs Jeyes were Northampton-based seed

merchants. A tall pea (1.8-2.1m) producing white flowers

and a heavy crop of large, sweet, solid peas tightly packed

it their pods. Delicious fresh, but also freeze well,

maintaining their flavour.

Pea (round

seeded)Jeyes 20

Donated by Jean Jones from Bedale who says, "all the

flowers grow like fingers on a hand. I grow them as a

curiosity." Originally trialled as a fodder crop in the 1970s,

the compact plants have strikingly beautiful, bicolour pink

flowers followed by small, sweet pods. The plants require

good supports as flowers and pods are produced primarily

at the top of the plants.

Pea (round

seeded)Salmon Flowered 10

New for 2015.

No, not a Bernard Cornwell novel featuring the dashing

soldier fighting in the Napoleonic war, but a rare variety of

pea. Sharpe & Co, Seed Merchants, were based in

Sleaford, Lincolnshire from 1913 to 1983. Growing up to

2m in height this variety produces white flowers followed

by a good crop of shortish, blunt pods containing 6-7

round seeded peas in each.

Pea (round

seeded)Sharpe's Liberty 10

Thought to have originated with Henry Eckford

(1823-1905), horticulturist and hybridist, best known for his

work with Lathyrus. A second early variety described in

The Evening Times (supplement), New York (1895) as "a

robust grower, producing abundant white flowers and

large, well-filled pods.....has also been recognised by the

Royal Horticultural Society of England".

Pea (round

seeded)Shropshire Hero 10

Donated by Seed Guardian Bob Catchpole this compact

pea (60cm-1m) is exceptionally high yielding. Introduced

in the UK by Taber and Cullen in 1890 and in the USA by

W Atlee Burpee in 1904, listing it in their Annual in 1916. It

produces white flowers followed by plump green pods.

Seed Guardian Jo Walter describes them as “flavoursome

and sweet”.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

British Wonder 10

New for 2015

Donor by Ronald Parkinson was given the seed by a

neighbour, who in turn had acquired them from a past

member of the Bullroyd Allotment Association. The pea

had been successfully grown for a number of years on the

allotments. Dense plants produce pink/purple flowers and

pods of large tasty peas. Guardian Michael Blake enjoyed

their 'old-fashioned' flavour and found them particularly

tasty in a pea and cauliflower curry.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Bullroyd Bean Pea 10

Donated by David Leech, who has grown them for around

20 years. 'Chibby' was his elderly neighbour who had

grown the variety since he was a child. Strong, prolific and

virtually pest and disease free at Ryton, and fairly compact

(<1m), but Guardians found that it grew significantly taller,

so be prepared! White flowers are followed by very long,

straight, green pods and sweet peas.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Chibby's Wonders 10


Donated by HSL Member Lorna Cubbage, but originally

from her elderly neighbour who discovered them in their

original packet in her garage. Compact (around 1m), the

young plants produce branching, feathery tendrils. This

maincrop variety produces white flowers followed by long,

green pods averaging 7-8 tasty peas in each.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Cockpit 10

A very tall (>2m), productive bean pea producing

bicoloured violet and deep reddish-purple flowers followed

by fat, straight, stringless pods. Our donor, Sybil Cooper,

says, “It looks like a pea, tastes like a bean”. She was

given the peas by a visitor to her house during Open

Gardens weekend and has grown them ever since.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Cooper's Bean Pea 10

A mangetout variety growing to 1.5m with pretty bi-

coloured flowers. Donated by J Simmonds of Halesworth,

Suffolk who was given them by his grandfather. According

to his mother his grandfather had grown them for at least

50 years; he died in 1939. Guardian Margaret Lingard

found them “reliable and prolific”. Guardian Hilary Cartmel

adds, "Hardy, vigorous, tasty, love it!"

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Eat All 10

New for 2015

A white-flowered, tall (1.5-1.8m) variety thought initially to

have been the commercial variety Hurst Greenshaft, but

our trials determined otherwise. Produces full green pods

containing up to eleven sweet, tasty and firm-textured

peas in each.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Greenshaft 10

New for 2015

Donated to HSL by Alan Smith whose father acquired

them from Mr Herbie Nicholson. Herbie had grown them

for around 20 years in Northumberland after being given

them by Mrs Mynas, an elderly lady whose garden he

tended. She told him that they had been passed from

generation to generation for many years in the

Bedlington/Choppington area. The tall vines (1.8m) grow

rapidly after germination producing purple pods and pale

green peas with a flavour very similar to a processed pea.

They also freeze well.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Herbie's Purple

Podded Bean Pea10

The term ‘grey peas’ refers to those that can be eaten

without cooking. Originating at least 100 years ago in

Latvia this is a vigorous, tall and productive pea with thick

stems, large fleshy leaves and bicoloured purple flowers

followed by pods containing large, well-flavoured peas.

Seed Guardian Keith Woolley suggests drying them and

using as mushy peas or pease pudding.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Latvian Large Grey

Christmas Pea10

A Dutch dwarf variety grown locally to produce dried peas.

Grows to around 1m so ideal for small spaces. Pretty

white flowers flush with pink as they mature. The pods are

sweet and succulent if picked young, but best as a drying

pea. HSL member Peter Fogarty says, "Very easy to

grow", and found that the plants produced seeds even in

drought conditions.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Raisin Capucijners 15


Donated by Michael Stanley of Melton Mowbray, who had

grown them since the 1950s after acquiring seeds from a

Mr Robinson, who had obtained them in Scotland. The

vigorous plants (>2m) produce long, slim, slightly curved

pods over a long season. Extraordinarily sweet, retaining

their flavour even when frozen. HSL Member Mrs

Harrington states, “In my opinion this is the star of the

Heritage Collection.”

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Robinson 20

Donated by Anne Plummer, this variety is named after the

area in which they have been grown for many years,

Stokesley, North Yorkshire. Growing to around 1-1.5m this

strong, early, productive pea has unusual yellowish

foliage, white flowers and distinctive curved pods packed

full of large, sweet peas. Seed Guardian Eluned Paramor

says, "peas gorgeous young, and when more mature."

Sow to harvest 85 days (approx.)

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Stokesley 20

Developed by plant breeder Thomas Laxton in 1872 and

introduced in 1898, it received an Award of Merit from the

RHS in 1901. A very early cropping, first early variety

producing compact plants (1-1.5m) with pods borne in

pairs that Sutton's describe as being "filled with peas of

excellent flavour". Sow to harvest 80 days (approx.)

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Sutton's Harbinger 10

Probably introduced by Sutton’s Seeds in the 1960s and

listed in their 1970s catalogues as a ‘Continental Variety’.

Growing to 1-1.5m the strong, sturdy and productive vines

produce beautiful bicoloured pink and magenta flowers

and plump purple pods solidly packed with sweet green

peas. Seed Guardian Judith Reid comments, “Lovely

flowers and a full-bodied pea. Well worth growing!” Sow to

harvest 110 days.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Sutton's Purple

Podded10

Our donor Mr Schofield of Bolton obtained this variety in

1940 from a Yorkshire relative and he’s grown it ever

since. Very tall (2.4- 3m) Mr Schofield harvested it “from

the top of step ladders” as a youngster. Despite having

thick stems strong supports are essential. The broad, pale

green pods are filled with extremely sweet peas, even

when mature. Also excellent for freezing.

Pea

(wrinkle

seeded)

Table Talk 10

Bushy, compact plants (60-90cm high) produce white

flowers followed by 12-20 long (9-12cm), conical fruits per

plant. Seed Guardian Jackie Warner says, “These have

more culinary appeal when mature, when they become

‘Long Red Buddha!” Relatively mild when green, the heat

increases as they turn red. Guardian Karen Skeates says,

“The heat takes a backseat to their marvellous, rich

flavour.” Sow to harvest 70 days (approx.)

Pepper Long Green Buddha 15


Donated by G Twigg, from a collection of seeds obtained

from his son-in-law’s parents who had a smallholding

near Gostava, Yugoslav Macedonia. So named because

of the seeds’ aroma. Produces green peppers that turn

dark red when mature. Seed Guardian Jane Rickerby

found that they performed well even in her Cumbrian

location. Guardian Bev Mumford adds, "an excellent

variety with sweet, juicy flesh." Milder than a chilli, but still

has ‘bite’.

Pepper Macedonian Sweet 15

Our donor, Mary Frings, picked up these seeds in Croatia.

The large, heart-shaped, crunchy fruits start off pale jade

(white when cooked) changing through pink, orange-red

and eventually scarlet when mature, and produced in

abundance. Katie Butler uses them for ratatouille, stir

frying and raw in salads and says, “Everything I want in a

pepper. An excellent find”.

Pepper Soror Sarek 20

Quick to grow and slow to go woody the 5-8cm long

radishes with ochre-coloured skin and white flesh. HSL

member Jane Gifford has found that they keep their

flavour and crispness longer than other varieties. Summed

up perfectly by HSL member Ian Ebsworth who says,

"Superb!"

Radish French Golden 60

Thought to date back to the 1800s, this long, slender

variety can reach 15cm in length. Described by Vilmorin-

Andrieux (1885) as having “skin smooth, of a vinous-red

colour” with flesh that is “tender, crisp and fresh to the

taste”. Thought to have been the vareity made famous by

Beatrix Potter in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Radish Long Scarlet 60

A robust winter storage radish with pink roots and crisp,

white, medium to strong-flavoured flesh making it ideal

grated for salads or coleslaw. Sow in July/August allowing

a little more space than for summer radishes, as the roots

are large. Can be left in the ground until required making it

a good winter standby for fresh salads.

Radish Pasque 60

New for 2015

The earliest reference we can find for this radish is in

Johnson's Gardeners' Dictionary of 1842; it also appeared

in John Forbes' Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower seeds

in 1892. Produces slightly flattened, globe shaped white

radishes with excellent flavour. Fast growing. Let us know

what you think of this one.

Radish White Turnip 50

(syn. ‘New London Particular’)

An ex-commercial variety with long, pink, tapering roots

best used at around 5-7cm. Listed in Carter’s Blue Book

in 1845 it is hardy and pest resistant and bred for forcing

under cold frames, but does well outside. Guardian Peter

Swallow says, “Mild and sweet….before you are aware of

the peppery note”.

Radish Wood's Frame 60


Actually, this is a dwarf French Bean, but these seeds

originally came from Jamaica! Traditionally used to make

Jamaican rice-and-peas or dirty rice, the beans are dried

and used for cooking all winter but taste good fresh too.

This selection was collected by the late Phil Bannister

from Starley Road Co-op community garden in Coventry.

It has creamy-pink flowers and long pods which dry to

reveal compact terracotta-flowerpot-coloured beans.

Red Peas Starley Red Peas 10

A black-seeded variety donated by G.H. Callaghan of

Leicester who has saved and shared seed of this variety

since the early 60s. He describes it as “a lovely, fleshy

bean of good length and quality, not stringy”.

Runner

BeanBlack Knight 10

Donated by Jane Bygott, this heirloom has been grown by

her family in Bridgnorth, Shropshire for at least 100 years.

Passed to Jane by her aunt Mary, who still grew a few

beans in her garden when she was in her 90s. Many of the

short (20cm), broad pods are tinged purple growing darker

when mature. Stringless when young.

Runner

BeanBlackpod 10

Thought to have bred by Nurseryman Ernie Cooper

during the 1950s or 1960s. It was donated to the HSL by

Mr Mick Bailey who was given seeds by another

nurseryman, Vincent Cooper. Vincent said that they beans

produced often exceeded 60cm in length. Seed Guardian

Jean Goldberry found that it crops well even in poor

conditions.

Runner

BeanErnie Cooper's 10

A late, white flowered runner bean producing tall plants

and a huge crop of long, irregular-shaped pods generously

filled with white beans. Does well even in hot, dry

conditions. This variety is particularly productive and the

young pods are both tender and delicious. 10 seeds.

Runner

BeanInchley's White 10

The National Vegetable Society note that this is an

exhibition variety, perfect for the show bench. Our donor,

Mr Stenner, had much success with this bean in the 1970s

and 80s, unbeaten both locally and nationally between

1976 and 1986. A very vigorous variety producing a

generous crop of very long, straight pods, which remain

stringless and tender. Excellent flavour and freeze well.

Runner

BeanStenner 10

Donated by HSL member Sue Mitchell, who acquired

seedlings more than 30 years ago from an elderly

gentleman gardener at the property where Sue now lives

and has grown them ever since. A traditional orange/red

flowered runner bean with exceptional flavour, so good

that Sue really wants to share it with other members. HSL

member Sarah Mackenzie got "the best yield ever" from

this bean.

Runner

BeanSue Mitchell 10


The Westmacotts, a market gardening family from

Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire, spent 60 years improving

this variety. It is thought that they acquired seeds from the

local village policeman, George Watson. Our donor, Denis

Keyte, sent some of the seed to us following the death of

Mr Westmacott. He says "the beans are of excellent

quality, regular winners of the longest bean prize with

pods up to 24" in length!" Pick them young to get them at

their best.

Runner

BeanWestmacott 10

This vegetable is traditionally grown as the 'poor man's

shark meat' and used in soups. Should produce 4 - 5 fruits

per plant. This variety is paler green and spreads

vigorously.

Shark Fin

MelonHongs 5

This vegetable is traditionally grown as the 'poor man's

shark meat' and used in soups. Should produce 4 - 5 fruits

per plant. This variety is darker green and slightly less

rampant.

Shark Fin

MelonJoe Dagleish 5

A hardy, early, prolific and disease free Russian variety

(‘Shchavel’ means ‘sorrel’ in Russian). The succulent

and sharp leaves really lift a mixed salad, but it can also

be used in soup recipes. HSL member Hilary Ash says, “I

cook the leaves down like spinach, and freeze in ice cube

trays; I can take out a couple of cubes and add to dishes

as flavouring.” A truly multi-purpose vegetable.

Sorrel Shchavel 100

A variety from Virginia, U.S.A, this seems to have been

derived from ‘Bloomsdale Longstanding’ but with added

resistance to spinach blight virus and yellow dwarf virus.

Autumn sow as it runs to seed in hot weather

SpinachBlight Resistant

Virginia50

(C. maxima)

Caribbean pumpkins have a firmer flesh than European

varieties so that they can be cooked alongside sweet

potato without disintegrating. This variety, originally from

Trindidad, has been grown on an allotment in Leicester for

a number of years.

Squash Caribbean 10

(C. maxima)

Thought to have originated in the Appalachian Mountains,

this productive banana-type squash is perfect for roasting

and pie making. The large, long fruits (weighing anything

up to 25kg!) have thin, pinkish orange skin and delicious

smooth orange flesh. A good keeper.

SquashGeorgia Candy

Roaster4

(C. pepo)

A bushy variety that is very productive and just keeps on

going. The light green fruits have pale green, mild-

flavoured flesh and can be eaten young, or allowed to

grow on to hefty marrow proportions.

Squash Greek 6

(C. pepo)

The original small sugar pumpkin of New England, USA,

first described by Fearing Burr in The Field and Garden

Vegetables of America (1863). Trailing plants produce

orange, almost oval, lightly ribbed fruits weighing in at

around 2kg with a tough, smooth skin and creamy, sweet

flesh. A good keeper.

SquashNew England Sugar

Pie3


(C. pepo)

Ram has been growing this small, round, orange-coloured

squash on his allotment in Newton Street, Birmingham for

many years, and for an open-pollinated variety it’s proved

remarkably stable! Very dependable and seems to cope

with whatever weather conditions the summer throws at it.

Probably best eaten immature although it’s suitable for

making pumpkin soup or pie when left to ripen fully.

Squash Ram's Kodu 5

New for 2015

(C. moschata)

This Japanese pumpkin was developed in the early 19th

century. It is bottle-gourd shaped and has ribbed, very

warty dark green skin, which turns tan when fully mature.

Its fine-grained, yellow flesh has a delicious nutty flavour.

Shishigatani pumpkin is particularly popular in Kyoto

cuisine.

Squash Shishigatani 3

(C. pepo)

Deserving of its name, this sprawling, bush type produces

a proliferation of small, sunny yellow patty pans. The

succulent, scalloped fruit, often seen in expensive

imported supermarket packs, are excellent sliced and

steamed and when mature make great individual stuffed

dishes. Cheers up the veg patch no end!

Squash Summer Sun 3

(C. maxima)

Smells like melon but has a more savoury flavour. A bush

variety that reliably produces tennis ball- sized, dark

green to purple fruits with orange flesh for summer or

winter use, as it eventually develops a hard, waxy rind.

Grew well in trials at Ryton and an excellent keeper.

Squash Zapallito de Toscana 5

Collected from an allotment in Coventry, this variety is

productive both outside and in the glasshouse. Its stems

have a distinctive smoky flavour.

Stem

LettuceYings Stem Lettuce 25

Translating as 'Beaver Ridge' this traditional Swedish

variety is named after a village in the province of Dalarna.

It has juicy whitish flesh and an excellent flavour. Small,

with sparse foliage; the root is slightly elongated and the

neck continues as a stem. Not especially high yielding, but

worth growing for its texture and taste.

Swede Bjursås 50

New for 2015

Passed by Mr Carey of Stanley, Falkland Islands, to

Richard Rixon at Chase Organics who thought they would

be of interest to HSL. They have been grown on the Island

for more than 60 years, always organically and it is

beleived that they were originally supplied by Bees Seeds,

Liverpool. It produces round bicoloured roots with crisp,

orange-yellow flesh.

Swede Kelper Gigantic 50


Semi-determinate. This Russian heirloom is early and

compact producing plants 60-90cm tall. Not quite a bush

variety, more of an unbranching, short cordon. Produces

long trusses of attractive smooth, round, pinkish-red fruit,

which are sweet but tangy. Let us know what you think.

Tomato

(other)Clear Pink Early 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by Peter Fry who saved

seed from tomatoes given to him in the 1960s by Dr Lewis

Darby of the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute,

Littlehampton. Seed Guardian, Eluned Paramor, says,

"They do equally well in polytunnels, a cold greenhouse or

outside in pots against a south facing wall". Flavour is best

when fruit are really ripe.

Tomato

(other)

Darby Striped

Pink/Yellow20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by John Yeoman of The

Village Guild. Not truly lilac, it produces large (up to 750g),

slightly flattened, beefsteak-type tomatoes with sweet,

pink flesh - great in sandwiches or salads. Let us know

what you think.

Tomato

(other)Lilac Giant 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Introduced in 1988 by Glecklers

Seedsmen, Ohio, USA. Produces long vines of small, firm,

bright orange fruits with a juicy, mild and sweetly tangy

flavour. HSL member John Maillard says "Stars of the

vegetable patch! Sturdy plants and a heavy cropper,

picked more than a kilo most days from August to the end

of September".

Tomato

(other)Mini Orange 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Acquired by our donor during a

chance acquaintance whilst touring in Provence. The

large, red horn-shaped fruit are produced in trusses of 4-5.

Plants will require support quite early on. Seed Guardian

Mary Gotts comments "A very, very good tomato. The

fruits are fleshy, rich flavoured and thin-skinned with a

sweet taste. Good for cooking or eating raw."

Tomato

(red)Buffalo Horn 20

New for 2015

Indeterminate. Cordon. Produces large, red, slightly

flattened beefsteak-type fruit. If seed saving, the flowers of

this variety have protruding stigma will cross with other

tomatoes of this type. We have very little information on

the flavour of this tomato, so do let us know what you

think.

Tomato

(red)Easton's Beefsteak 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Collected by the Rev P Hodson

from the Dionysiou Monastary, Athos, Greece.

Predominantly a glasshouse variety; early and prolific, but

with a short cropping season. Produces fabulous round,

red fruits with yellow shoulders, averaging about a 500g

each in weight. Full of flavour and good for slicing, eating

and stuffing. A winner in Garden Organic taste tests.

Tomato

(red)Greek 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by Christel Eagling, this

beefsteak variety has fruit that certainly do resemble a

heart – although not in the romantic sense! The fruit are

large and pinkish-red with slightly green shoulders, giving

them an odd shaped apple-like appearance. Produced a

good yield in the tunnels at Ryton until late on in the

season.

Tomato

(red)Iraqi Heart-Shaped 20


Indeterminate. Cordon. The seeds were originally passed

to our donor, Cristel Eagling, by a teacher in Germany.

Leafy plants produce medium sized, reddish-orange fruits

with soft flesh and a delicate flavour that is not too acidic.

Seed Guardian Elizabeth Trow found them "perfect for

cooking and sauces".

Tomato

(red)Jugo 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Our donor originally purchased

these seeds in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1996, hence the

name. The rich red, beefsteak type fruit are smaller than

other varieties of this type with a juicy, but mild flavoured

flesh.

Tomato

(red)Kathmandu 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. (Syn. 'Chiswick Red'). Translates

as ‘King Humbert’; named after the Italian king Umberto I

(circa 1878) whose consort Margherita inspired the

famous pizza! Donated by Paul Parker, it was trialled in

1887 by The RHS who said, "An extraordinary cropper,

the fruit borne in clusters of 10-20." Also mentioned by

Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885). The medium-sized, scarlet,

plum fruits are delicious in salads and when cooked,

though the skin can be a little thick. Crops well both

outside and under glass.

Tomato

(red)König Humbert 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by JR McIvor, whose

father and grandfather before him had grown it since

around 1926 in their market garden at Carriden, Bo'ness,

West Lothian to sell as both plants and fruit. Primarily a

glasshouse variety. The round, medium-sized, richly-

flavoured fruits are at their best, according to our donor,

when slightly under-ripe when the thin, deep orange skins

that have a green blush at the stem-end.

Tomato

(red)

Listers

Protection/Perfection20


Village Guild, this variety produces clusters of small, globe-

shaped, deep scarlet, tomatoes. Described by Vilmorin-

Andrieux (1885) as "one of the handsomest smooth kinds

in existence". Let us know what you think.

Tomato

(red)

Livingston's

Favourite20

Determinate. Bush. Plants require no staking, no removal

of side shoots but do need room to spread. Guardians

have suggested that they are ideal for container growing.

Produces an abundance of small, red, plum-type fruits that

are perfect for tomato sauces and cooking

Tomato

(red)Nova 20

Semi-determinate. Pinch out side shoots regularly.

Originally donated by Dave Podmore this variety is prolific

and hardy doing well both outdoors and under glass. The

small, plum-shaped fruits begin pink, becoming red once

ripe, and have a pleasant, mild flavour.

Tomato

(red)Pink Cherry 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Our donor, Mrs Smallwood,

acquired these seeds from an elderly lady who had been

given them at an RHS seminar. The person delivering the

talk was American, and it was assumed that the variety

was of American origin. The fruits are thin-skinned, sweet,

knobbly and almost heart-shaped. Let us know what you

think of the flavour.

Tomato

(red)Queen of Hearts 20


Indeterminate. Cordon. HSL member and 1940s

enthusiast Barbara Forest saw this variety mentioned in

adverts dating back to at least 1940, before Suttons

acquired the seeds from F Stonor of Southampton and

began marketing them. This variety produces strong

plants and small, firm, orange-red fruits with pinkish-red

flesh, perfect for eating raw in salads and sandwiches.

Also great for tomato sauces.

Tomato

(red)Stonor's Most Prolific 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Thought to have been developed

by the Experimental Station of Horticulture in Simcoe,

Ontario, Canada during the 1970s. Produces slightly

elongated, plum-shaped, fleshy red fruits of uniform size

(6-8cm diameter) ideal for cooking and are perfect for

sauce and soup making.

Tomato

(red)Veepro Paste 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated in 1994 by Frank Ryder,

Stafford, but brought from Poland after World War II by his

neighbour, Wladeck Neitzgoda. This prolific variety can be

grown outdoors or under glass. Frank says, “Heavy

trusses, require ingenuity to support. Fruits are large,

beefsteak-type…the taste is a revelation – unsurpassed

flavour and aroma." Seed Guardian Adam Hesketh agrees

"Absolutely fantastic! Taste and colour superb." If seed

saving isolate from other beefsteak tomatoes.

Tomato

(red)Wladeck's 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Originating in Germany in 1955,

but with a Hungarian name that translates as Golden

(arany) Apple (alma). It produces thin-skinned, bright

golden-yellow fruit; cropping over a long period of time,

both outdoors and under glass. Sweet and juicy, Seed

Guardian Robert Jamieson says it is the best yellow

tomato he's grown.

Tomato

(yellow)Aranyalma 20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Originally found growing in a

pavement crack in Indianapolis, give it plenty of space and

prune rigorously as it is very vigorous. Produces masses

of sweet-tasting, tiny yellow fruit until mid November.

Noted as being only mildly affected by the dreaded blight,

and very hardy.

Tomato

(yellow)

Broad Ripple Yellow

Currant20

Indeterminate. Cordon. Bred by the W Atlee Burpee Seed

Company this variety was an All American Selection

(AAS) winner in 1943. It produces uniform, medium-sized,

yellow/orange fruits with a thin skin and meaty flesh

without acidity.

Tomato

(yellow)Burpee's Jubilee 20

Determinate. Bush. Originally from Tom Wagner, this late

variety produces stout, hairy bushes with bi-green striped

fruits, which ripen to pale yellow. Tomatoes have waxy

skin, "squeaky" to the touch. Sweet, tangy, and keep well

despite their thin skins. Grows well in pots. HSL member

Diane Bailey says, "The flavour is good for a large fruit",

but adds, "Once they turn pink they are past their best for

eating".

Tomato

(yellow)Dwarf Wax 20


Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated in 1988 by Paul Parker

from Leicester University. We've renamed this after one of

its synonyms as we have another variety of 'Golden

Queen' that fits the original descriptions better. A very

vigorous tomato suitable for growing indoors or out. We

enjoyed its sharp and tangy flavour, which has an almost

citrus edge.

Tomato

(yellow)

Golden Yellow

Queen20

New for 2015

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by tomato breeder

Suzanne Arregger Perini in 2010 this variety produces

large (up to 450g), slightly flattened, golden-yellow ribbed

fruits, hence the name. If seed saving this variety will

cross pollinate with other beefsteak type tomatoes.

Tomato

(yellow)Gold Ribbed 15

Indeterminate. Cordon. This late variety produces tall

plants and heavy trusses of egg-shaped tomatoes that

ripen to a very pale yellow, almost off-white. Members

have noted that it makes a very delicate soup or tasty

tomato sauces but salads showcase its unusual shape.

Will grow oustside or under glass.

Tomato

(yellow)Ivory Egg 20


Village Guild. Produces large, flattened pale yellow fruit

with a pinkish flush. Has a good texture for slicing and a

well-balanced flavour; sweet and tangy, mild, but tasty. It

will cross pollinate with other beefsteak varieties, so

isolate if saving seed.

Tomato

(yellow)

Old Yellow

Candystripe20

Donated by Debby Banham who bought seeds from a stall

in Las Ramblas, the famous street in Barcelona. Produces

very long, sweet roots that keep well. The white flesh is

firm with a sugary flavour. HSL member Sarah Mackenzie

says, "Tasty! much better than 'Purple Top Milan'".

Turnip Black Sugarsweet 100

New for 2015

Originating in the northernmost regions of Norway this

variety produces an almost perfectly round yellow root,

with a convex bottom and great flavoured firm flesh.

Excellent storage qualities too. Our donor, Peter

Erlandsson, describes this as "a beauty in the garden".

TurnipMalselvnepe

Brandhaug50

Vietnamese mustard can be stir-fried or mixed with other

salad leaves. Worth growing for its flavour - it has a sweet

taste with a peppery kick, but not quite as ferocious as

winter mustards. Before it flowers it produces tiny broccoli-

like lime green florets, which are great for adding flavour

and texture to salads.

Vietnamese

MustardVietnamese Mustard 50

Collected in Birmingham by a now sadly deceased Master

Gardener and Seed Steward, we have named this

selection in his memory. A tall maize which looks

spectacular in the garden and tastes good. The cobs have

pearly white grains and mature late. They benefit from a

sheltered site or the plants may blow over.

White

Maize

Phil Bannister's

White Maize20

Your request - what you need to know

1. OUR DEADLINE FOR THE RECEIPT OF SEED REQUESTS IS 27th February 2015. We

will not be able to process orders received after this date.

2. You are entitled to receive seed of 6 varieties of vegetables. Please include 1st,

2nd and 3rd choices of variety for each vegetable selected. If your 2nd or 3rd choice

is a different variety and vegetable, fill in both names in the appropriate box. We

will send your six first choices if available, followed by 2nd and 3rd. If all three

choices are unavailable we will send you substitutes of our choice to make up

your six varieties, unless you have waived this option on the Request Form. You

are more likely to receive your first choices if you send your request in early.

3. Please write your choices clearly. We strongly recommend that you use the

Request Reminder to keep a copy of your choices and your date of sending.

4. Requests will be completed in order of receipt. We will record the dates of

receipt and dispatch.

5. Please allow 28 days for delivery and make allowances for delays caused by

Christmas post. If you have not received your seeds within 28 days, please call us

on 024 7630 8226.

6. If you would like to make a financial contribution towards postage and packing,

please do so. This really does help us. Please do not include stamped addressed

envelopes or coins. Cheques should be made payable to Garden Organic. We do

thank you for your generosity.

7. We regret that we cannot accept seed requests by telephone.

8. Even though you have chosen to receive a paper copy of your catalogue you can

still order your seeds online. A link to an online form will be available in the

members area of our website, www.gardenorganic.org.uk

9. Please return your Request Form before 27th February 2015 to:

Garden Organic

Ryton Gardens

Coventry

CV8 3LG

PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE A STAMP WHEN POSTING YOUR REQUESTS. Unstamped

mail will not be delivered to us. Requests sent in without a stamp will not be received

and therefore not fulfilled.

Terms and Conditions

The Agreement between us

The agreement printed below is not a legal document but aims to secure your agreement in

spirit to undertake to help us safeguard the seeds. We have no wish to be too restrictive in our

treatment of the seed and certainly do not have any problem with the sale of plants at fund-

raising or charitable events or the passing of a few spares to a friend or exchanging them at

Seed Swap events. Our main intention by this agreement is to enable us to benefit from any

commercial exploitation of our seed. We are not suggesting that exploitation is wrong, simply

that we would like that to be through discussion and agreement with us.

Your submission of the order form will be taken as an endorsement of these terms

It is not that we distrust you but that we need to draw attention to the possibility that you may

inadvertently pass the seed to someone who then exploits it with no benefit to us. We claim no

ownership of the seed ourselves and think no one else should either. But we do claim that

without our efforts the seed would not be available at all. We are keen for seed swapping to

continue, but hope that you will help us by ensuring that any swapped seed goes to gardeners

for their personal use rather than a commercial enterprise.

Agreement for supply of material

Garden Organic's Heritage Seed Library (HSL) holds all HSL members in trust to observe the

spirit of this agreement in order to protect the future of the collection. We ask you to respect

the following conditions:

1. You will use the material and any progeny or derivatives thereof for your own non-

commercial purposes only.

2. You may transfer the material to a third party for non-commercial and personal use

only. This includes the exchange or sale of plants.

3. You will discuss with Garden Organic fair and equitable sharing of any benefits arising

from any commercial use of the material, including research results and publications,

but excluding sale of plants for charitable purposes.

4. You will not transfer the material or any genetic parts of it to any third party for any

commercial use (including research and breeding) without written agreement between

Garden Organic and the third party.

5. You will not claim ownership of any material received, its progeny or derivative of the

material.

'Non-commercial use' – by this we mean use solely for your own interest or for personal food

production, research and trials. It also includes any sale of plants or produce raised from HSL

seed for charitable or fund-raising events.

'Commercial use' includes sale of the seed supplied or plants or produce derived from HSL seed

(except for charitable and fund-raising events), regeneration of the seed variety for sale,

breeding or use of genetic parts for breeding and distribution for promotional purposes.

'Fair and equitable recompense' – this will be a mutually agreed arrangement

Please read our Terms and Conditions then fill in the following:

Welcome to the 2015 Heritage Seed Library Seed Swap

The Seed Swap is an extra service offered to help members share their surplus seed

with others. The seeds should be requested directly from those who are offering, not

from HSL. There is no fee to use this service, but please read the guidelines below to

help it run as smoothly as possible.

1) When requesting seeds we suggest that at the very least you send an adequately

stamped, addressed padded envelope. Seeds can easily be damaged in the post.

Remember that a large letter stamp is likely to be required for heavier seeds.

2) As many of these varieties are not on the National List, it is currently illegal to sell

them. Perhaps you could provide stamps rather than money if you really feel you would like

to recompense the person sending seeds to you. Some of the varieties may be covered by

Plant Breeders Rights and, therefore, any 'sale' of such seeds would entitle the holder

of the Rights to levy a royalty.

3) Please do not send UK stamps or currency to swappers participating outside of the

UK.

4) Each variety is followed by a list of members who have the variety (after Has) and

members who want the variety (after Wants). You then contact the member involved;

their names and addresses can be found at the end of the Seed Swap section. The

member offering provides descriptions of non-HSL varieties, so unfortunately we

cannot guarantee their validity.

5) We cannot guarantee that varieties offered through the Seed Swap will be 'true to type'.

If you have any qualms or queries about seed that you have received through the Seed

Swap, contact the person who sent you the seed directly. We ask that members offering

seed try their utmost to ensure varietal purity. If you wish to receive further details on

saving seed, please write to us, stating which vegetable(s) you are interested in,

enclosing an A4 sized SAE to; Seed Saving Guidelines, HSL, Garden Organic, Ryton

Gardens, Coventry, CV8 3LG. The Guidelines are also available on the HSL pages on the

Garden Organic website at http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/seed-saving-guidelines

Due to the limited amount of space we only include vegetable varieties in the Seed

Swap listings. Therefore, if you offered or requested seeds of fruits, herbs, cereals,

flowers or other ornamentals, you will find that they have not been included.

The names and addresses printed in this section are listed purely for the purposes of

the Seed Swap. They are not a mailing list and should not be used by seed companies

or for any other purpose. Please respect their privacy.

Rachel Crow

Aubergine

Szechuan

See main catalogue for description

Has: Angela Schokman

Broad Bean

Bowland’s Beauty


Has: Adam Alexander

Crimson Flowered

Originally donated to the Seed Library in 1978 by Rhoda Cutbush of Kent. We do not know its

exact age, but crimson-flowered broad beans were mentioned as long ago as 1778. A beautiful

bean in flower, followed by small upright pods that are delicious picked young and cooked

whole or left longer on the plant for the small, tender, deep green beans

Has: Charles Knight

Londonderry

This bean grows to 4-5ft and produces long pods up to 21cm long, containing 4-5 creamy-

white seeds. Originally from Lawrence Hill’s personal collection at Bocking in the early 1960s,

and donated to the HSL at a later date by Mr G Hudson who notes that they are “rarely troubled

by blackfly”.

Has: Roger Blaney

Red Bristow

This variety had been grown by a friend of the donor, Peter Bristow, for many years in Walgrave,

near Northampton. Best sown in spring the plants grow to around 1m in height. A red-seeded

variety that tastes great and freezes well.

Has: Adam Alexander

Syria Small

From a small Syrian market in Allepo. Eat the whole pod when young, but also delicious when

shelled.

Has: Adam Alexander

Brussel’s Sprout

Peer Gynt F1

Wants: Keith B Watts

Cabbage

Delaway

This Irish variety had been grown and saved for generations of the Hughes family on their farm

in Lankhill, Co. Mayo. A dark green, spring cabbage, best sown in August and distinctly kale-like,

but retaining its cabbage flavour. Pick by the leaf and it will regrow like spinach.

Attractive, hardy and disease resistant; it is very tender picked young and is productive over a

long period of time.

Has: Adam Alexander

Chili

Luang Prabang

A small and very hot chilli from Laos, found in a market in Luang Prabang. Needs a long

growing season. Sow in gentle heat in early January and transplant when four true leaves have

formed. Pot on in May into 10” pots in greenhouse.

Has: Adam Alexander

Cotter’s Large

A pale pink hot and spicy chilli from the edge of the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya. A prolific and

bushy plant that grows to 5 ft. Suitable for greenhouse only. Fruits up to 3 inches long are

great both fresh and dried. Sow in gentle heat in early February and plant up finally into large

pots or grow in the greenhouse border.

Has: Adam Alexander

Rocotto Pubescens

A fantastic chilli that makes a great house-plant. Beautiful shrubby habit with dark leaves and

purple flowers, yielding plum sized red fruit with black seeds. Wonderful medium hot and

sweet flavour. Best grown under glass but worth trying in a sunny, sheltered spot.

Has: Adam Alexander

Turkish Long

Produces mild tasty chillies up to 8” long that are best harvested when green. Very nice as a

basis for Thai Green Curry but also to spice up salads – but remove the seeds first! Sow in

February. Best grown under glass in large pots where this plant will crop for many months.

Has: Adam Alexander

Chaing Rai Long Fine

Slender fruit up to 6 inches long. Best allowed to ripen fully and dried. When soaked and used

in curry they become quite hot and piquant. Slow to germinate. Can grow to 5 ft. with a

shrubby habit.

Climbing French Bean

Bonne Bouche

Originating in the Rouen area of France in the 1950s, this vigorous (1.8-2.4m) ex-commercial

variety produces pairs of delicate white flowers and long green pods with a slight red stripe.

Tender and flavoursome when young; when mature the podded beans are delicious.

Has: Adam Alexander

Borlotto

Grows to around 1.8m, sow under cloches in mid-May, removing protection and staking in early

June. Harvest the delicious young beans when the pods begin to turn dark red and cook fresh,

or leave on the vine and use as dried beans from an autumn harvest.

Has: Adam Alexander

Purple Harage (Harage Pink)

From a market in Zanzibar. This drying bean does well in a sunny spot outside and amazingly in

a polytunnel! Produces clusters of 20cm pods containing speckled purple beans. Start in pots in

mid-April and transplant in early May protecting the plants until they are well established. Dry

the beans on the vine and harvest August/September.

Has: Adam Alexander

Ryder’s Top ‘O the Pole


Has: Adam Alexander, Roger Blaney

Cucumber

Crystal Lemon

Vigorous and prolific producer of round, lemon coloured fruits with

white flesh. Great for pickling or in salads. Outdoor (ridge) variety


Dekah


Has: Adam Alexander

Kheera Cucumber

Originating from Bangladesh, this makes a pleasantly mild-eating, mid-sized cucumber with a

triangular cross-section when cut, rather like a famous brand of Swiss chocolate bar! Let the

fruit fully ripen or you won’t tell the difference between this and a normal cucumber, but grown

under cover it’s easy, fruitful and relatively trouble free.


Zanzibar

From a market in Zanzibar in 2007. It is a rampant type with very sweet dark green fruit that

go brown as they ripen. Well worth growing. Prolific and very tasty.

Has: Adam Alexander

Dudi

Mo Sayed

Collected from Highfields in Leicester, this dudi is slightly later than the Tower Hamlets, but

will produce fruit the size of a small child!


Dwarf French Bean

Emperor of Russia

Syn. 'Longfellow'. This fine haricot bean produces neat plants with white flowers followed by

slim and crisp pencil pods. Stringless and flavoursome when young. Seed Guardian Bill Dale

comments, "A good, no-nonsense bean!"

Has: Adam Alexander, Roger Blaney

Giant Stringless

Donated in the early 1980s by American member Russell Crow, this 19th century American

heirloom has compact (40-50cm) plants but BIG beans. An early producer of long, stringless

green pods with dark seeds.

Has: Roger Blaney

Magpie


Has: Roger Blaney

Vermont Cranberry


Has: Adam Alexander

Xenia Field


Has: Roger Blaney

Fennel

Finale

Produces bulbs that are firm, heavy and with a flattened shape. Bolt resistant, which means it

can be sown from the end of February to July, for harvesting between June and November.


Kale

Asparagus


Has: Adam Alexander

Ragged Jack

Donated by Paul Pickering whose family had grown it for years as ‘Tunley Greens’, originally

obtained by his wife’s grandfather from Tunley in Wiltshire in 1910. It has a lovely purple tinge

to its frilly grey-green leaves. Extremely frost hardy yet tender to eat, requiring less cooking

than other kales.

Has: Adam Alexander

Photo: Andrea Jones

Pea

Mange-tout Luang Prabang

Found in a market in Laos. Prolific crops of green pods from lovely purple flowers. The pods

can be allowed to swell and shelled as peas. Need to be able to grow up secured pea-netting

or sturdy 6’ pea-sticks.

Has: Adam Alexander

Prince Albert

A tall variety. Sow in January for cropping in May; then sow seeds from this crop in July for an

additional September crop!

Has: Charles Knight

Robinson


Has: Adam Alexander

Radish

Pasque


Has: Adam Alexander

Rat’s Tail

A wonderful radish grown for its hot and peppery pods which grow in profusion on unruly

herbaceous plants.

Has: Adam Alexander

Shark’s Fin Melon

Hong’s



Squash

Pompeon

A delicious winter squash weighing up to 2kg that keeps well. Deep orange flesh within dark

green skin. Sow into 4” pots with heat in April. Plant out in May under large cloches in rich

ground leaving plants at least 3 feet apart. Remove cloches when the plants are well

established. Stop leader at 3’ and pinch outside shoots at three leaves. Harvest in September.

Has: Adam Alexander

Tomatoes

Ailsa Craig

Indeterminate. Cordon. A very vigorous, productive variety. Deep red, medium sized fruits in

profusion. Can be grown outdoors or under glass.


Auntie Madge’s

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by Veronica Parsons, this variety

has been in her family for generations and handed down to her by

her husband’s Aunt Madge. A prolific producer, the young fruits vary

in shape, maturing to a rounded plum 3-4 cm in size.


Black Hole Sun

A small, almost black delicious tomato. This year’s favourite in

Angela’s house!


Cherry Brandywine

Indeterminate. Cordon. Produces dark pink, large cherry tomatoes

that resemble mini-beefsteaks. Very productive.


Harbinger – Adam’s Stripey Sport

Indeterminate. Cordon. A couple of years ago some of my Harbinger tomatoes developed lovely

golden streaks and mottled markings on their skins. This ‘sport’ tastes just as wonderful as its

pure red sister but only as the fruit matures does the grower know just how far this mutation is

going!

Has: Adam Alexander

Hilda

A large tomato acquired at a local seed swap.


Jersey Sunrise

Indeterminate. Cordon. A very heavy and prolific cropper. Long trusses of round fruit up to

4cms in diameter are born in profusion. Very sweet when picked ripe. Worth trying outside in a

warm, sheltered spot. Likes lots of feeding. A good all-rounder.

Has: Adam Alexander

Nectar Cherry

Produces very small, cherry tomatoes

Has Angela Schokman

Photo: Andrea Jones

Nello’s Plum

Indeterminate. Cordon. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation. The fruits are large, flavoursome

and wonderful to cook with. Also I dry them in a cool oven for an English equivalent of Italian

sun-dried tomatoes. Blanche, skin and freeze for use in soups and sauces in the winter. Makes

great ketchup!

Has: Adam Alexander

Purple Cherokee

Indeterminate cordon. A large, deep purple, super-sweet tomato. Great in salads and for

cooking.

Has: Adam Alexander

Smaragd Apple

Indeterminate. Cordon. This large and sweet green tomato was given to me by a Swiss collector

from Pro Specis Rara. Allow to ripen to a golden bloom.

Has: Adam Alexander

Salt Spring Sunrise

Determinate. Bush. The late J James of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada developed

this very early variety, which performs equally well in both cool and warm summers. The red

fruit tends variable in size but their robust flavour makes them perfect for eating fresh or in

cooked dishes.


San Marzano

Indeterminate. Cordon. The classic Italian red plum tomato, perfect for sauce making. Prolific,

both under glass and outdoors.


Speckled Roman

Indeterminate. Cordon. A striking colourful large plum tomato which is great sliced in salads

and used in cooking. I have been cropping from eight trusses.

Has: Adam Alexander

White Princess

Indeterminate. Cordon. The best of the white varieties producing very large (400-800g), flat,

cream-white beefsteak fruits that become tinted pink when exposed to the sun. Very good

flavour, sweet and juicy. Very productive.


Yellow Pear

Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by John Yeoman of The Village Guild, this variety is thought to

date back to the 1600s. It is a vigorous variety producing bright yellow, cherry type tomatoes

with a distinctive pear-like shape and thin skin.


Names and Addresses

Adam Alexander

3 Croes Bleddyn Cottages

Itton

CHEPSTOW

NP16 6BN

veggingoutwithadam.com

Roger Blaney

Morton Hall

Morton

Nr Southwell

Nottinghamshire

NG25 0UY

[email protected]

Charles Knight

18 Bridge Street

OLNEY

Buckinghamshire

MK46 4AB

Angela Schokman

Buzon No 1

San Roque

Tablones de Orgiva

Granada 18418

Spain

Keith B Watts

16 Canterbury Road

Wolverhampton

WV4 4EH

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Seed Guardians

The past few summers have been particularly challenging for seed production.

Each year we distribute some 40,000 packets to members but recent years have

seen a steady decline in our Seed Guardian numbers and in the amount of seed

returned to us.

Our Guardians provide at least 50% of the seeds we share with Heritage Seed

Library members. We provide them with a small number of seeds each year,

which they grow, talk sweetly to, love and cherish before returning to us (in

many cases) in huge numbers.

We are looking for new Seed Guardians to take on the extremely valuable job of

providing a home for our Orphan seed, so do you think you have the qualities it

takes to become one of this loyal, dedicated band? If you tick the boxes on the

following key points then THE HERITAGE SEED LIBRARY NEEDS YOU!

· Are you an HSL member with seed saving experience and some space

that you could dedicate to supporting our work?

· Guardians are usually sent around 30 seeds of one or two varieties. Do

you have the growing space to accommodate them?

· Are you happy to return the majority of your seed to the Heritage Seed

Library?

· Are you happy to keep minimal records and return forms to us to feed our

database.

In return we will provide you with:

- A complete set of Seed Saving Guidelines to get you started.

- Provide support to answer any doubts or queries you may have.

If the answer to these questions is yes then send us an email with your

membership number, name and address expressing an interest in guardianship

and we will send you more information ([email protected]).

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Thank you for supporting Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library.

The work of our Heritage Seed Library is only made possible by the generous support

of our members. Without your membership, many of these fantastic varieties you are

choosing from today would simply no longer exist.

We can’t thank you enough for supporting this work and we look forward to

continuing to protect as many varieties as possible for future generations to enjoy.

From all at Garden Organic.

Join both Garden Organic & the Heritage Seed Library from less than £5 a month.

Call 024 7630 8210

Visit www.gardenorganic.org.uk

Email [email protected]

Garden Organic Charity reg no. 298104

Not yet a member of Garden Organic?If you are not already a Garden Organic member and would like to further support

our charitable work, we would love you to consider joining Garden Organic too.

Help usprotect our organic heritage for future generations

sowing, growing and sharing - garden organic · sowing, growing and sharing... ... wonder 50 the...

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