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 2024 Heirloom Seed Catalogue

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  • Pilot Pea

    3.50
    One of the hardiest of all varieties in cultivation. Grown since 1904, when it was awarded the Award of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. Also mentioned in the 'Dig for Victory' guides. Good for autumn or very early spring sowing, cropping over several weeks, with good well-filled pods. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 50
  • This heirloom pea was introduced to England in the 1840s where it quickly became popular. 6-foot-long vines bear an abundance of pods that fill with tasty peas, able to be harvested either as a green pea or left to dry to be saved and added to soups and stews. Average Seeds Per Pack: 50
  • A rare variety originally from Peru, this chilli is a mainstay of native peoples on both sides of the Andes. Its high pungency has given rise to regional names like ‘levanta muertos’ (raising the dead) or ‘gringo huanuchi’ (gringo killer). It scores 7-8 (out of 10) on the Scoville Scale invented to test the ‘fire’ of chilli peppers. A fantastic cropper producing lots of vibrant red, round fruit. It is also one of the most cold tolerant capsicum varieties and produces plenty of seed for saving! Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 25
  • A dark red bulb, round and slightly flat in shape. Vigorous and hardy. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 200
  • An early ripening bell pepper. Small plants producing an abundance of beautiful medium-sized fruits that ripen to a stunning deep scarlet red from August onwards, even in a cool overcast summer. Deliciously crisp with sweet and fruity flavour. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 25
  • A fine sturdy heirloom variety from eastern Asia. Its long, deep-green leaves and juicy white stems add their fresh taste to salads and stir-fries. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 370
  • An extremely rare heritage tomato from Tibet. Pinkish red in colour, a medium beefsteak type with fleshy. Certified Organic
  • Early and productive stripy green cucumber, originally bred in the US. Quick to set fruit and not at all bitter. The fruit can be harvested when small for pickles or left to grow as a short slicing cucumber. Good disease resistance. Average Seeds Per Pack: 16
  • Weld

    3.75 (3.75 incl VAT)
    A statuesque biennial. Tall spikes with small pale yellow flowers. Blooms appear in early June. An ancient dye plant used by the Romans to colour vestal robes. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 100
  • Widely naturalised in Ireland, this fragrant herb was introduced prior to 1500 AD from the Mediterranean and has been cultivated as a pot herb. In the same family as wild celery, its leaves can be eaten when young in salads or as greens, and the seeds can be dried and used as a spice like black pepper. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 25
  • This popular green bean variety produces slim, straight, stringless, succulent pods, between 15-18cm in length. The compact and bushy plants are fast producers, with an abundance of pods available reliably early in the season. Good for freezing. Average Seeds Per Pack: 30
  • Cosmos

    3.75 (3.75 incl VAT)
    Sun-loving tall stemmed, traditional cottage flowers (pink), with masses of feathery foliage. Growing up to 1m in height and blossoming from early to late summer. A firm favourite. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 25
  • This unusual heirloom, dating back to the 1870s, can be grown for its tender, juicy green pods, or its dried mature beans. The rich, tasty dried beans are small and white, giving this variety its ‘rice bean’ name. The bushy plants may require staking. Average Seeds Per Pack: 30
  • Giant Yellow Sunflower

    3.75 (3.75 incl VAT)
    Just as it says on the tin...A wonderful Giant yellow sunflower. A ray of sunshine in any garden. Kindly donated to us from Brian Faulkner, Co. Limerick. Average Seeds Per Pack: 15
  • A member of the nightshade family and resembling a cape gooseberry with its outer lantern-like husk. Originating in Mexico, these vibrant and tart fruits are an essential ingredient for making the perfect Salsa Verde or as an accompaniment to many Mexican dishes. This purple variety will add colour and interest to your growing season. Don't over-sow as they are very productive. You will need at least two plants to save seeds as they are not self-fertile. Average Seeds Per Pack: 30
  • Ragged Robin

    3.75 (3.75 incl VAT)
    A delightful native flower with pink, deeply divided petals giving it a ragged look. Its name in Irish translates to Silk plant (Lus síoda) and favours fens and marshy areas. It was thought that picking the flowers and bringing them indoors would result in thunder. It is no longer as common as it once was due to modern farming methods such as draining wetlands so if you have moisture-retentive soil (in full sun), then this one's for you. Also attractive to pollinators. Average Seeds Per Pack: 100
  • A very old variety believed to be of native American origin, these stunning red beans are a wonderful baking bean, perfect for chilli as they don't disintegrate like other beans. They not only feed the body but the senses too as their deep red cranberry colour and their round shape are truly alluring. Average Seeds Per Pack: 30
  • A unique and rare treasure. A white-skinned variety, beautifully contrasted with very sweet vibrant orange flesh. Perfect for roasting, pies and baking. Historically popular in South Africa, named for the Dutch Boers. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 10
  • Strawberry Calendula Marigold Flower

    3.75 (3.75 incl VAT)
    Lovely light pink and cream flowers with ruby centers. The flower from midsummer through to the Autumn. Beautiful as cut flowers or for posies. Pollinator friendly. Certified Organic Average Seeds Per Pack: 100
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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