Would you like to become one of our seed guardians for an open pollinated variety of seeds?

The Incredible Seed Library has some seeds from our stock that are in short supply that we would like to bulk up.

We are excited by this new development in The Incredible Seed Library and hope that you would like to join us in this grand experiment.

We now have a number of easy to save seeds which we would like some of our members to grow on and save for us. This year we have Tomatoes, beans and peas. They are all easy to grow and save.

There is information on saving seeds from these plants on our YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4E9y-04SScD7PlqE8u20Q

Please watch these videos before choosing which seed you would like to save for The Incredible Seed Library, as they give information on the number of plants we would ideally like you to grow for us. It would be useful if you could offer us a couple of choices as we have a limited amount of seed for each variety.

We would like you to choose one or two varieties to grow on for us and would like you to save as many seeds as you can for us to give away next year. Please grow all the seeds you are sent to ensure the genetic diversity of the variety.

We are trying to ensure that the seeds that we all grow are viable and genetically diverse and so we are mostly looking for 2 or 3 growers to become seed guardians for each variety of seeds to give a greater number of parent plants. This should take the pressure off everyone as should things go wrong (and as gardeners we know that happens) then saving from a smaller population will be added to by another grower, thus ensuring the genetic diversity of the variety.

When we have allocated and sent out the seeds that you have asked to become a seed guardian for, all you need to do is grow them on as you would your regular plants.  If you feel you would like any further support, then feel free to email me at incredibleseedlibrary@gmail.com and I will endeavour to answer your questions.

 

Seeds for Seed Guardians to grow in 2024

 

Beans. When growing beans it is worth protecting the germinating seeds from mice. I grow mine on in pots hanging from my greenhouse supports until they are strong seedlings and then harden them off before planting in the garden. Then leave them to grow until the seed pods go papery, and harvest the pods. Dry them completely and then pod the beans before you send them to us.

 

Crimson Flowered Broad Beans

Organically grown heritage variety. Sow under glass in Feb or March for an early crop. Protect from mice. Grow on in a cool not cold place and harden off before planting out in March or April. Pinch out if you see any signs of black fly.

 

Vespa Field Beans - - All seeds allocated

Field beans are a smaller and more robust relative of Broad Beans. The beans are smaller than normal broad beans but borne in greater numbers. Overall you are likely to get a greater crop for the area of beans you grow.

 

Saxa Dwarf French Beans. - All seeds allocated

This is a fast growing bean which can be sown early and will stand cool weather conditions at germinating time. Sow from the beginning of May when the soil has warmed up.

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Afia - All seeds allocated

These fine pencil dwarf French beans were sourced from the Heritage Seed Library. They produce vigorous plants with pretty lilac coloured flowers, which are followed by tasty beans.

 

Babarruna Tolosana - All seeds allocated

These Spanish black kidney beans come from the Basque region and are a bit of an unknown. As far as we know they are a dwarf variety, however if you do choose this then please keep a record of the growth and of course take some photos for us.

 

Blacksmith Beans

This seed was part of the HSL collection, and this is what they say about them.

This bean originated in Broxted, Essex and given to our donor by an old man who had been growing them and saving their seeds since before WWII. Grows to about 1.8m with pinkish-lilac flowers and pale green, slightly curved, stringless pods that become purple veined when mature. The whole pods have sweet and nutty flavour, but also perfect as a shelling bean. Seed colour purple.

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Neckar Gold Climbing French Bean. - - All seeds allocated

A reliable yellow wax climbing bean with high yields of crunchy, oval and stringless 8″ pods with excellent sweet flavour. The vines are vigorous climbers which easily top 8 feet, so you need some serious support.

 

Lazy housewife Climbing French Bean - - All seeds allocated

Originally introduced by W. Atlee Burpee Co. in 1885. Green, entirely stringless pods are easy to prepare in the kitchen hence the variety was given this now considered outdated name. Harvest young for snap beans and enjoy a buttery flavour when cooked. Or use the dried and shelled white beans in a variety of dishes offering a richer, creamy taste.  

 

Santiago de Compostela market climbing beans

This is another unknown variety from Galicia in northwestern Spain. If you do choose this then please keep a record of the growth and of course take some photos for us.

 

 

 

 

Peas. When growing peas it is worth protecting the germinating seeds from mice. I grow mine on in a length of guttering hanging from my greenhouse supports until they are strong seedlings and then harden them off before planting in the garden. Give the guttering a sharp knock to free the length of seedlings before sliding them into a pre-dug trench. Then leave them to grow until the seed pods go papery and harvest the pods. Dry them completely and then pod the beans before you send them to us.

 

Golden Sweet mangetout pea - - All seeds allocated

The Pea Mangetout Golden Sweet is a fantastic variety of mangetout with a stunning golden colour. The peas are produced on a climbing plant that grows up to 200cm tall! This makes them incredibly easy to find and harvest when compared to green varieties.

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Carlin Peas

 These fantastic peas can be eaten fresh are great for drying and using in the winter. These red peas grow prolifically in our climate and are easy to grow, dry and store, they germinate beautifully and make sturdy plants with abundant pods filled with delicious peas.

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Rosakrone soup pea - - All seeds allocated

Rosa Krone peas are a very unusual heirloom from Sweden, withs beautiful red/pink flowers borne in 'crowns' above the foliage.It grows to around 4 - 5 foot tall, and looks stunning on a wigwam or peasticks for a decorative feature that also produces lots of tasty peas.

 

Merveille d’Etampes - - All seeds allocated

Large growing variety that can exceed 150 cm, light green foliage, 15-18 nodes at the first flower. It has 1-2 white flowers per tier. The curved sheath, with a very sharp pointed end, of a light green colour in the green state, as well as the grains, between 9-10 cm long. The dry grain is round in shape and has a smooth cream-colored surface. It is highly appreciated for its tenderness and flavour.

 

 

Tomatoes

These varieties are most suitable for growing with the protection of a polytunnel of greenhouse. Please grow in isolation from beefsteak or potato leaved tomatoes and at least 2m from other varieties. Preferably grow it as a single variety in your polytunnel or greenhouse.

 

Lotus tomato - All seeds allocated

This is a tall indeterminate variety from the Ukrane. It starts to fruit early, tastes great and has a long growing season. It is pale yellow with a slight orange blush in the height of summer

 

Garden Peach tomato - - All seeds allocated

A unique heirloom tomato, ‘Garden Peach’ produces 3-4in pale yellow fruits that have a pink blush to them and soft peachy skin, with pale yellow very tasty flesh. . This extremely productive and unique variety often comes top in tomato tastings with a mild sweet taste.  Best grown as a cordon under glass in cooler climes.