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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Bright Lights Chard

€3.50

This lovely rainbow chard produces a bounty of colourful stems, topped with large green and bronze leaves. Each plant reaches about 50cm in height and 40cm in spread. The leaves can be harvested from mid-summer to late autumn, and the plants can even be overwintered to provide a fresh crop in the spring. The flavour is deliciously mild, with young leaves suitable for salads and larger leaves perfect for soups and sautéing. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 200

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Manpuku-Ji Onaga Carrot

€3.50

Manpuku-Ji is a temple located in Uji, Kyoto-Japan, and Onaga translates from Japanese as ‘having a long tail’. This striking, long-rooted orange carrot prefers good deep soil to grow at its best. Good for late sowings up to end of June. Very sweet flavour, especially good in Japanese miso soup. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 700

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Dottenfelder Dauer Cabbage

€3.50

A vigorous, short-stemmed variety with a firm, round/oval head and short inner stalk. Under good conditions the heads (averaging 1.5kg) can be stored well until January. It is delicious cooked and also ideal for eating raw. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Robuschka Beetroot

€3.50

A good, all-round, vigorous variety. The round, globe-shaped roots have smooth skin, deep dark coloured flesh and a nice fruity taste, good for eating fresh and storage. Because of its sweet flavour it is especially delicious eaten raw, though also perfect for roasting, soups and stews. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 300

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White Lady Runner Bean

€3.50

So-named for its beautiful white flowers, this variety is a favourite among growers. A highly productive bean, with heavy crops of smooth, thick stringless pods growing over the season. Left to mature, lovely pure-white bean seeds develop inside the pods. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 15

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Muesboni Runner Bean

€3.50

This heritage German runner bean is a vigorous, reliable, early cropper. It produces bright red flowers followed by reasonably stringless beans. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 15

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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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Pencil Pod Dwarf French Bean

€3.50

This bean was one of the first stringIess, round-podded varieties, introduced around 1900. Each vigorous plant produces black-seeded, long golden yellow pods that can reach up to 18cm (7") in length. This heritage variety is great for early sowings, and crops reliably throughout the summer. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 20

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Old Homestead Climbing French Bean

€3.50

Given to us by Jean Goldberry who claims it is ‘the best bean’ she’s ever grown. The variety has a long history, going back to the 1800s when it was described in a garden journal as ‘unsurpassable’. Long stringless pods are produced in clusters over an extended season. Delicious while young and good for freezing. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 30

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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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Martock Broad Bean

€3.50

This robust landrace bean has references as far back as 1293 in English manorial account rolls. It is an attractive plant, with lovely purple/maroon mottled flowers. The pods of the beans are small but extremely numerous, containing small, brown, meaty, delicious beans, used fresh or kept for drying. Average seeds per pack 20

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Bob Broad Bean

€3.50

Gifted to us by a Hungarian supporter with little more than ‘Bob’ on the packet, we were intrigued by this little bean. After some research, we discovered that ‘Bób’ is the Polish word for broad bean, and that these small-sized beans are often used in a traditional ‘Bób Salatki’ or broad bean salad. The robust plants produce beans that resemble the ‘Windsor’ type, having shorter pods and round, smaller beans. Delicious tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs in a traditional ‘Bób Salatki’ for a light, protein-rich dish. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 15

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Lady’s Slipper Achocha

€3.50

A very vigorous vining plant, related distantly to cucumbers, but much easier to cultivate. It thrives in cool summers, and can be grown outdoors or indoors. The vines should be given supports and planted about 1m apart to provide plenty of growing space. Its abundant little green fruits grow in pairs, and picked young, taste similar to cucumbers and young French beans. The fruit can be eaten fresh, pickled in brine or vinegar, stir-fried in oil, or stuffed and braised. Pick fruits while young; if left to mature they will eventually burst open to reveal a spine of black woody seeds within. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 4

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Purple Sprouting Broccoli

€3.50

A beautiful plant to have in any garden, this variety is a prolific producer of succulent, deep purple broccoli spears. When sown in late spring or early summer the tasty spears can be harvested from February the following year. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 200

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Zebrune Shallots

€3.50

A superb French heirloom variety, often called Banana-type shallots for their torpedo shaped bulbs. The skin of this variety has a wonderful pink-brown colour, and it is very productive, producing good-sized bulbs which are useful for storing. Easy to slice and deliciously sweet and mild. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Verdante Broccoli

€3.50

This variety of Italian origin can be grown all through summer, or, if sown in August, in a cool tunnel for a winter/spring harvest. It produces a decent-sized head and will continue to grow side shoots for several weeks after the main head is harvested. This calabrese is tender and delicious, perfect lightly steamed or roasted. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 200

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Superschmeltze Kohlrabi

€3.50

A German heritage variety of champion size, originally from Schmeltz. Rich soil and plenty of space is required for this mammoth vegetable, which can reach up to 8kg over a long season. The colour is white to light-green and despite its large size, this kohlrabi remains tender and buttery-soft. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 200

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Stamme Mix Onion

€3.50

This seed of Norwegian origin will produce a diverse range of onion shapes, sizes and colours. Expect to obtain a richly diverse, healthy crop of round to slightly flattened onions with colours ranging from light-gold and copper to purple. Well suited to our short growing season and temperate climate. Average seeds per pack 200

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McAnallen Sunflower

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

This is a remarkably large and robust sunflower. With food or oil crops in mind for the future this variety has serious potential. It is a striking and lovely plant, and also supports hordes of pollinator insects and birdlife. These flowers have been a gorgeous talking point in the Seed Savers gardens over the summers. Kindly donated by Brendan (RIP) & Bridget McAnallen of Co. Tyrone. Average seeds per pack 15

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Ruby Regis Lavatera

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

Our seed for this variety came from ‘Bôite de Graines’ a seed company in France where our former staff member Flora Barteau now works. It is a stunning upright bushy annual with masses of deep-veined, funnel-shaped, bright pink blooms. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 50

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Golden Rain Dwarf French Bean

€3.50

This prolific dwarf variety produces uniform plants with lovely yellow pods and wonderfully golden/brown beans when mature. The young pods can be steamed or stir-fried, and the mature beans can be cooked up in soups or stews.
Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 30

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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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Verdonnet Leek

€3.50

Originally from Switzerland, this old landrace was selected and bred by a Swiss farmer. We shared the seeds of this variety with our friends at Adaptive Seeds in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, where they have been undertaking leek trials. This reliable leek has good large stalks, dark green leaves and is hardy through winter. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Sean Flynn’s Westmeath Greens (Cabbage)

€3.50

Grown originally by Sean Flynn of Killucan or Cloughan, Co. Westmeath, we trialled this cut and come variety in 2020 and found it worthy to save the seed in 2021. A mild flavored medium sized cabbage green with a lightly crinkled semi-flat leaf. Average seeds per pack 250

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Woad

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

Woad has been used for centuries to obtain a blue dye. Though the extraction process is elaborate, it is easy to grow this ancient plant and, as nature and culture writer Richard Mabey says, ‘it's worth having in the garden’. An attractive plant with 1m high stems, long, succulent, blueish leaves that shine like stained glass, and foamy clusters of brilliant-yellow flowers. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 160

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Hopi Red Dye Amaranthus

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

This plant came from the Hopi people of Arizona and New Mexico, and is so-called because the stems were used to make a food colouring for their ‘Piki’ bread. The leaves can be used like spinach, and are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. The plants can grow up to 1.4m, the flowers a vibrant, rich, deep red, making a stunning display as they hang in cascades 30-60cm long. Because of its height, this lovely plant benefits from some staking. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 600

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Honesty (White Flower)

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

This very unique white variety was donated to us by Philip McSheffrey of Donegal. Philip’s uncle John had brought it over from Greenock in Scotland in the 1970s, and the family have grown it ever since. Although there was one year when the family’s seed harvest failed, luckily they had given some seed to a 94-year-old lady who saved this rare flower from extinction. It has the most stunning display of pure white, foaming flowers, from which you can harvest the shimmering cellophane-like seed pods for displays. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 50

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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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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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IBM Linseed/Flax

€3.50

This variety was repatriated from the Vavilov Institute for Plant Genetic Resources in Russia, and, as is the norm with most gene banks, background information is scant and we haven't been able to locate any references to this particular variety to-date. We have however unearthed the root of the expression "tow-head" or "toe-head," which was used to describe a person with blond hair; it comes from the name for the fine, oft-tangled fibers left behind in the hackles, when processing flax into linen! The familiar wispy blue flowers of this variety transform into beautiful golden orbs full of plump, nutritious seeds. It's very easy to grow and to save the seeds if you're happy to share some with the birds who have that inherent ability to determine the optimum time for seed maturation! Grows to 80cm, 5 seed heads per plant. Sow: March/April Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 300

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Thomas Laxton Pea

€3.50

Named after the famous plant biologist and pea breeder Thomas Laxton, a heritage variety dating back to the 1800s. Quite an early-maturing pea, with 7-9 peas per pod, and a long harvest season. The vines are relatively short, reaching almost 1m in height. Cold resistant and particularly suitable to a maritime climate such as ours. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 50

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Stenu Pea

€3.50

This is a tall variety, up to 2m in height, so the plants will need good support. the word ‘Stenu’ itself means wall or rock in several Eastern European languages, perhaps referring to what it was grown on. Gorgeous pink-purple flowers produce pods of up to 8 peas. Lovely eaten raw when young, and they sweeten up even more when cooked. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 50

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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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Princess Danish Dwarf French Bean

€3.50

This dwarf bean came from one the European seed shares and is a traditional variety for drying and storing. The robust plants are healthy and uniform, with plenty of lovely white flowers developing into pods throughout the season. Leave pods on the vine for as long as possible until they have dried to a parchment texture. The lovely amber-brown beans inside will need further drying indoors to store for winter for use in soups, stews, casseroles, risotto, etc. Once dried they will need soaking for a few hours before cooking. Average seeds per pack 30

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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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Ellen’s Swede

€3.50

This is a rare old landrace variety, maintained by a family in the mountains of the Swabian Alb Region in Germany. This swede produces a lovely, uniform, very sweet, medium-sized root. Good resistance to boron deficiency. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 450

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Violet de Gournay Radish

€3.50

First listed in seed catalogues as far back as 1885, this lovely variety is still going strong. The long, cylindrical roots have the most beautiful purple skin and mild, sweet, white flesh. A great winter storage radish. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Mayo Common Cabbage

€3.50

The seed for this cabbage came from a project in the 1980s that involved collecting ‘on-farm saved’ seed crop varieties. This particular ‘common’ or large headed Dutch-type came from farms in Knocknakillew, near Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Sown in late spring it produces mighty heads, light green in colour. It over-wintered well, in fact some heads were still compact and harvestable well into the following season! Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Langedijke Red Cabbage

€3.50

This lovely variety produces beautiful medium-sized solid heads of red cabbage, with mild flavour and intense colour. Stands well over winter with little loss to frost. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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Kuttiger Carrot

€3.50

Kuttiger is an old-type white carrot, first established in Europe in the 15th century. Now quite scarce, these types were very commonly grown until the introduction of orange carrots. With its snowy-white colour, broad shoulders, and stocky shape, this variety could be mistaken for a parsnip in appearance, though in taste it still has the mild and subtly earthy flavour of a carrot. Average seeds per pack 700

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Supported in part by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Pobal through the Community Services Programme. We confirm that our organisation complies with The Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland.

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