Why are growing numbers of people choosing to buy seeds from Irish Seed Savers?

The ethos here at Irish Seed Savers Association, is to conserve and distribute wonderful rare and heritage varieties, as well as to encourage the skills of saving your own seed and empowering people to do this in their own gardens, small holdings or farms.

All of our seeds are grown and saved in Ireland and are Open Pollinated which allows you to save your own seeds from them, keeping the variety true to type. By choosing Irish Seed Savers Open Pollinated Seeds you contribute to keeping food security in your own hands and Irish agricultural biodiversity alive and vibrant.

Download 2023 Heirloom Seed Catalogue

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Buan Onion

€3.50

This is a true native Irish onion bred by Barnie Crombie who was still doing on- ion trials up until the 1980’s when he passed on. However, he had sent seed to the Russian and English gene banks from which Irish Seed Savers Association received seed and we have been growing and saving this unique variety since. It has performed extremely well in the most adverse conditions for ‘good quality onions’, i.e. an average Irish summer. The name comes from old Irish, ‘Long life’, and it is indeed a really good white fleshed storage bulb, often not sprouting until summer the following season. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 200

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Bulgarian Giant Leek

€3.50

This popular European heirloom is a quick growing, early-maturing autumn variety. It is renowned for being especially tall with a long, thin stem. Its leaves are light green and it has a delicious sweet flavour, ideal for salads and soups. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Burdock

€3.50

A robust biennial plant of the Asteraceae family, known mostly for its ‘burrs’ which stick to humans and animals alike, and for the old-fashioned classic drink of ‘Dandelion and Burdock’. Purple flowers are surrounded by hooked bracts, cleverly enclosing the seeds through winter until attaching themselves to passing animals. Known for its medicinal properties, the 17th century herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper wrote 'the seed being drunk in wine forty days together, doth wonderfully help the sciatica' and also 'the juice of the leaves, or rather the roots themselves, given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help the bitings of serpent'. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 25

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Calendula Marigold

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

Calendula officinalis, also known as the pot marigold or common marigold, is a flowering plant in the daisy family. It is probably native to southern Europe, though its exact origin is unknown. It is a robust plant with bright green leaves and cheerful orange and yellow-gold flowers. The flower petals can be eaten, it is good for companion planting, and it has lots of medicinal uses. Certified Organic

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Canasta Lettuce

€3.50

This mid-late variety is known for its bolt-resistance, even in especially hot conditions. It produces a half-open, good-sized head, with round, ruffled leaves that are bright green, turning deep red at the edge. Crisp in texture with crunchy ribs, this lettuce remains sweet and juicy for a good amount of time in the ground. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 200

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Carruthers Purple Pod Pea

€3.50

This pea came from Patrick Carruthers in Co. Down, where it has been grown and saved for 25 years. Growing up to 1.6m, with lovely magenta flowers that are followed by striking purple pods. The young peas can be eaten fresh but are also great if left to mature and dry for winter storage, especially as purple pea varieties such as this one tend to be richer and less sweet than the greens. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 50

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Ceredigion Runner Bean

€3.50

Given to us by Pam Savidge in Wales, who describes the bean as “A variety usually grown in West Wales, they have survived many a bad summer. I have saved my seed since 1961 when I was given seed by a neighbour who was in his 80s. He was given the seed by his grandfather, a stonemason that mended church spires.” What a wonderful history. This variety has grown outstandingly well outdoors at Capparoe this summer, giving beautiful, long, slender beans pods that contain gorgeous pink and black bean seeds when mature. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 15

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China Rose Radish

€3.50

This lovely winter radish came as the name suggests from China and was introduced to Europe in the 1880s. Perfect for autumn planting, the long, cylindrical, tapering roots reach 15-20cm in length and 5cm in diameter. The skin is a beautiful rose colour, with white tips and firm white flesh. These spicy, peppery roots are delicious when cooked up, or even sliced and eaten raw. A very good variety for storage. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Chocolate Miniature Pepper

€3.50

Both the plants and fruits of this heirloom pepper are small and stocky, with the fruits almost having the appearance of tomatoes. The ‘chocolate’ name refers to the colour of the peppers, which is a rich, dark brown/red, rather than the flavour, which is mild and sweet when cooked. The texture is firm and crisp, so this little pepper would be ideal for stuffing with cream cheese and roasting whole. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 25

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Clarkes Beltony Blue Pea

€3.50

This variety has a sweet and smooth flavour. Crops well over a long period. Donated by the Heritage Seed Library but originally of Irish lineage, and was kindly sent to us by supporter Liam Gaffney. It has been grown on the family farm of a Mrs. Anderson in Co. Tyrone. Average seeds per pack 50

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Clay Pot Corn

€3.50

This maize corn variety gets its name from the clay pots that the seed was found in. The history of this corn goes back to the Anasazi people some 500 years ago, with this seed coming originally from Hopi elders. It grew very high in the tunnel, providing large colourful cobs with kernels in stunning shades of violet and black to shades of red, yellow, gold and cream. As this variety is a maize type, it is more suited for grinding into flour than eating as a sweet ‘corn on the cob’. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 26

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Common Daisy

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

A familiar favourite, this charming little native flower can be seen in grasslands, lawns and roadsides from March-October. Brilliant white rays, sometimes tinged with pink, surround a bright yellow centre. A welcome, cheerful addition to any garden. Seeds are best started in pots, left to overwinter outside, and planted out in plugs in the spring. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 100

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Confetti Coriander

€3.50

This is a unique variety with fine, feathery bright green foliage. It gives all the distinctive taste and aroma of coriander with an especially sweet fragrance. The leaves can be used in soups and salads, and the mature seeds can be saved as a spice. ANNUAL Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 150

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Costata Romanesco Courgette

€3.50

Popular, Italian heirloom courgette. The dark green fruit are long (can reach up to 60cm and remain tender) and are distinctively ridged. The plants are vigorous so give them plenty of space, they will produce well through the whole season, outdoors as well as under cover. They taste great and look very decorative when sliced and cooked. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 10

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Crown Flax

€3.50

Repatriated from the Vavilov Institute for Plant Genetic Resources in Russia by Irish Seed Savers, this is an Irish bred flax variety of note. Referenced by Dr. GDH Bell (Cambridge) in his book 'Cultivated Plants of the Farm' 1948, he explained that "pre 1940's the flax grown for the United Kingdom, by Ireland, had been of Russian and Dutch origin. Breeding work commenced on these stocks by mass selection and were an improvement on the originals but they were subsequently given place to the Irish bred varieties, the best of which include the variety Liral Crown". Flax is grown both for its nutritional seeds and for its fibers. Various parts of the plant have been used in the past to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets, soap, and bowstrings. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens for it's exquisite ethereal mauve/blue flowers. Grows to 60cm, 5 seed heads per plant Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 300

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Daniel O’Rourke Pea

€3.50

An Irish heritage variety, originally saved in the Russian gene bank and repatriated to Ireland. These plants grow quite tall (2m) so a strong fence is required but you will be rewarded with prolific small pods and sweet peas, best eaten while young. Good disease resistance, the peas can also be left to mature and dry off to be used as a soup pea in winter. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 70

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De Nice A Fruit Rond Courgette

€3.50

This French heritage variety has golf-ball sized, pale green round fruits. The plants are heavy croppers, growing large and producing many fruits over a long period. Popular as a stuffed vegetable, commonly eaten with meat and tomatoes. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 10

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De Vits Lambs Lettuce

€3.50

This easy to grow, vigorous variety is ideal for spring and autumn sowing. It is mildew resistant and cold hardy. Its lovely glossy-green leaves are tender and delicate, perfect for winter salads. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 300

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Domatsu Climbing French Bean

€3.50

Bred by Alan Kapular and brought to us by our seed ambassadors visiting from Oregon a few years back, this variety has been described as ‘beautiful, vigorous and prolific’. The tender green beans are mild and delicious, and the mature bean seeds make a delicious addition to stews. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 30

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Dorenia Tomato

€3.50

This fabulous variety was bred by biodynamic growers in Germany. The plants have good resistance to fruit-splitting and blight. It yields very well, providing plenty of juicy oval-shaped plum tomatoes throughout the season. Firm skin means the fruit holds it shape when cut, perfect for salads and sandwiches. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 35

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