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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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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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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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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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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Douce Provance Pea

€3.50

This is a lovely, reasonably compact variety, reaching a little under 1m in height. A fast-growing early cropper, suitable for either autumn or spring sowings, though may need additional protection when temperatures are cold. The tasty peas are sweet, delicious eaten fresh, cooked or frozen. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 50

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Dyers Chamomile

€3.75 (€3.75 incl VAT)

A native to Europe, known also as yellow ox-eye and golden marguerite. These wonderful flowers have large lemon-yellow daisy heads and grow to 2 feet high. It is an extremely effective dye plant and the yellows obtained are strong and crisp. The flowers can also be used in teas. A short-lived perennial. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 100

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Dzintare Lasite Tomato

€3.50

A favourite from the tomato trials of our Latvian collection. The plants produce medium-sized, teardrop-shaped golden-coloured fruit of incredible sweetness. As it is a yellow variety, the fruit tends to be less acidic than that of the reds. A grower in Meath says “I grew Dzintare Lasite outside in a sheltered spot and they did very well, better than the red ones.” Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 30

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Early Market Leek

€3.50

This ex-commercial variety is of very early maturing, making it particularly suitable for autumn use, though it can hold overwinter too. It has light green leaves, straight shanks and good flavour. Ideal for soups, stews and roasting. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 250

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East Friesian Palm Kale

€3.50

This rare landrace kale from the Friesland area of northern Germany can no longer be found in commercial catalogues. “Highly praised and almost gone’”, according to grower Reinhard Lühring, “In the shade of the East Friesen Palm we cannot stroll under the southern sun, but we enjoy the green all winter long”. A very tall curly kale that can be harvested from late summer all the way through the winter and into the following spring. Average seeds per pack 200

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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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Erbette Spinach

€3.50

Similar to spinach, this leaf-beet variety has large, smooth green leaves and thin white stems. It can be harvested continuously throughout the season far into late autumn, and even overwintered for a fresh crop in spring. The tender, tasty leaves can be cooked up on their own or added to soups and stews. Average seeds per pack 200

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European Millet

€3.50

Millet is a highly versatile crop, one of the major grains to be grown in Europe in the Middle Ages. This variety is a ‘proso’ or ‘red’ millet type, first cultivated in Asia more than 4,000 years ago. It is produced for its edible high-protein seeds, which are often consumed in flatbread and porridge or eaten like rice. We found it very easy to grow this variety in East Clare, and with its beautiful panicles of small florets and shimmering amber/orange seed it was a stunning addition to the garden. Certified Organic Average seeds per pack 2000

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