Exploring the Heritage Seed Library
Gillian and Arabella were welcomed by Catrina Fenton, Head of the Heritage Seed Library, who guided them through the facility and gardens. The team learned about the organization’s growing for seed, seed processing and seed drying processes.
The HSL’s crop garden features main crops, calendula, and comfrey collections. The team met gardeners Marcin Salnikow and Sophie Atkins, who focus on seed production, plant health, and the calendula project and spent time working with them in one of their isolation tunnels to gain experience in that environment. To prevent cross-pollination, the Heritage Seed Library use isolation tunnels – controlled environments that enable multiple crop varieties to grow in proximity. While these tunnels maximize space and allow extended sowing seasons, they require hand pollination and careful disease management.
Showcasing Organic Gardening
The visit concluded with a tour of the display gardens, led by Emma O’Neill, Head Gardener. These gardens inspire visitors with creative ways to use space and grow plants organically, offering practical insights through workshops and demonstrations.
Garden Organic continues to lead the way in organic growing and seed preservation, making a lasting impact on sustainable gardening practices. To learn more or support their mission, visit their website: Garden Organic – Discover Organic Growing.
Irish Seed Savers is proud to learn from and collaborate with organizations like Garden Organic, ensuring a shared commitment to conserving and protecting heritage seeds and promoting sustainable agriculture.
In October 2024, two Irish Seed Savers representatives, Gillian Lattimore (Marketing & Development Manager) and Arabella Holian (Seed Bank Officer), travelled to the UK to visit Garden Organic and the Heritage Seed Library as part of a peer-to-peer learning experience. Here’s a glimpse into their fascinating journey.
A Legacy of Organic Gardening
Garden Organic, originally founded in 1954 by Lawrence Hills, began with experiments using comfrey as a natural fertilizer. Over the years, Hills shared his research, inspiring others to grow organic vegetables. In 1975, the Heritage Seed Library (HSL) was established to preserve rare vegetable varieties, addressing legal changes that threatened the survival of non-commercially marketed seeds. Today, Garden Organic, based in Ryton, protects over 800 heritage seed varieties and educates people on organic growing and seed saving through courses, webinars, and tours. The Heritage Seed Library has earned the UK National Collection Holder status for Calendula, Heritage Vegetables, and Comfrey, preserving these vital genetic resources for future generations.
