The Seed Hunter
Seed Sources List
Highlights UK
The Garlic Farm – Isle of Wight
www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk
One of the UK’s leading suppliers of seed garlic, with a good selection of varieties.
Heritage Seed Library – West Midlands
www.gardenorganic.org.uk/what-we-do/hsl
A remarkable organization that strives to preserve the national collection of heritage vegetables. HSL collaborates closely with schools and the general public by operating seed guardian schemes, which provide outside growers with the necessary knowledge to grow and save seeds and contribute to the seed bank. Seed is available via membership.
Potato House – Angus
www.potatohouse.co.uk
Seed potato supplier that carries an extensive range of interesting and exciting tubers.
Real Seeds – Pembrokeshire
www.realseeds.co.uk
Open-pollinated seed specialist offering a vast selection of heirloom seeds, including rare and forgotten varieties that they have helped to bring back into circulation.
The Seed Detective – Monmouthshire
www.theseeddetective.co.uk
Adam Alexander, aka The Seed Detective, is a seed collector and passionate heirloom advocate who offers a range of rare and exciting heritage seeds.
Seeds of Italy – London
www.seedsofitaly.com
The UK’s outlet for Franchi seeds, supplying a wonderful range of rare Italian heritage cultivars.
Tomato Revolution – Wiltshire
www.tomatorevolution.co.uk
A small family-run seed farm that offers a mind-boggling selection of rare tomatoes.
Wasabi Company – Hampshire
www.hampshirefare.co.uk/member/the-wasabi-company
The UK’s leading supplier of high-quality wasabi plants.
Extended UK
Beans and Herbs at The Herbery – Wiltshire
www.beansandherbs.co.uk
Small supplier of organic certified seeds with a wide range of legumes, herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
The Chilli Pepper Company – Cumbria
www.chileseeds.co.uk
A fierce and fiery offering of peppers and chillies.
Chiltern Seeds – Oxford
www.chilternseeds.co.uk
A wide selection of seeds, including a handful of heirlooms.
Crocus – Surrey
www.crocus.co.uk
Online outlet of seeds and gardening supplies.
Dobbies – Edinburgh
www.dobbies.com
Founded in 1865, a significant outlet for gardening equipment and seeds with stores nationwide.
DT Brown – Lancashire
www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk
A large supplier of seeds and gardening equipment, founded in 1908.
Edwin Tucker – Devon
www.edwintucker.co.uk
Two retail outlets in Devon and an online store stocking seeds as well as gardening, pet, and equine supplies.
GrowSeed – Swansea
www.growseed.co.uk
A small family-run operation in Wales.
Higgledy Garden – Cornwall
www.higgledygarden.com
A supplier of flower seed.
Jamieson Brothers – Dumfries and Galloway
www.jamiesonbrothers.com
Potato specialist with an heirloom spud range.
Jekka’s – Gloucestershire
www.jekkas.com
A vast selection of culinary and medicinal herbs by specialist Jekka McVicar.
Johnsons – Kent
www.johnsons-seeds.com
Prominent supplier of common vegetable and flower seeds.
Jungle Seeds – Surrey
www.jungleseeds.co.uk
An outlet for rare exotic and tropical plants and seeds, including a range of heirloom veg.
Just Seed – Wrexham
www.justseed.com
Online outlet with lots of seeds.
Kings Seeds – Essex
www.kingsseeds.com
A large farm that selects and maintains much of its open-pollinated seed stock.
Marshalls – Cambridgeshire
www.marshallsgarden.com
Mainstream supplier of seed and gardening equipment.
Medwyn’s of Anglesey – Isle of Anglesey
www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk
Seed stock from Medwyn Williams, an exhibition vegetable specialist and thirteen-time gold medallist at the RHS Chelsea flower show.
Moles Seeds – Essex
www.wholesale.molesseeds.co.uk
Standard seed-catalogue offering of vegetables and flowers.
Mr Fothergills – Suffolk
www.mr-fothergills.co.uk
A famous seed company that supplies packets to most garden centres.
Nicky’s Nursery – Kent
www.nickys-nursery.co.uk
Online store with a range of heirloom varieties.
Norfolk Herbs – Norfolk
www.norfolkherbs.co.uk
Medicinal and culinary herbs grown in England.
Organic Gardening Catalogue – Devon
www.organiccatalogue.com
The official seed catalogue of environmental charity Garden Organic.
PacketSeeds - County Londonderry
www.packetseeds.com
Northern Irish outlet of seed potatoes and veg, flower, and herb seeds.
Pennard Plants – Somerset
www.pennardplants.com
Extensive collection of edible trees, plants, and shrubs grown in a Victorian walled garden in Somerset. Also carries a broad range of heritage seeds.
Plant World Seeds – Devon
www.plant-world-seeds.com
Online outlet stocking thousands of seeds.
Plants of Distinction – Suffolk
www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk
Seed company based in East Anglia.
Primrose – Berkshire
www.primrose.co.uk
A massive online outlet for gardening supplies and seeds.
Robinson Seeds & Plants – Lancashire
www.mammothonion.co.uk
A family-run operation that stocks a good line of heirloom seeds. The home of the “Mammoth Onion” collection!
Sarah Raven – Sussex
www.sarahraven.com
The number-one choice for high-quality flower seeds, bulbs, and tubers.
Sea Spring Seeds – Dorset
www.seaspringseeds.co.uk
Tomato and chilli specialist that also offers a range of rare and exotic heirlooms.
Seed Co-Operative – Lincolnshire
www.seedcooperative.org.uk
Organic seed producer and outlet offering open-pollinated varieties.
Select Seeds – Cumbria
www.selectseeds.co.uk
Exhibition and show-bench veg aficionados.
She Grows Veg
www.shegrowsveg.com
An heirloom seed range by gardener Lucy Hutchins, aka She Grows Veg.
Simply Seed – Nottingham
www.simplyseed.co.uk
Independent seed supplier with a standard offering.
Simpson Seeds – Wiltshire
www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk
Small seed company with a catalogue of standard varieties.
South Devon Chili Farm – Devon
www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk
Passionate chilli growers with a wonderful selection of hot and sweet peppers.
Special Plants – Wiltshire
www.specialplants.net
Seed store and plant nursery run by Derry Watkins.
Suttons – Devon
www.suttons.co.uk
A household name and long-established seed supplier.
Tamar Organics – Cornwall
www.tamarorganics.co.uk
Soil Association-certified organic seed grower and supplier.
Thomas Etty – Kent
www.thomasetty.co.uk
Specializing in heritage food and flower crops.
Thompson & Morgan – Suffolk
www.thompson-morgan.com
A famous seed outlet founded in 1855 that offers a vast collection of varieties.
Tozer Seeds – Surrey
www.tozerseeds.com
Plant breeder specializing in modern cultivars.
Unwins – Cambridgeshire
www.unwins.co.uk
Flower and sweet pea specialist that also offers a range of vegetable seeds.
Victoriana Nursery – Kent
www.victoriananursery.co.uk
A small family-run plant and seed outlet.
Vital Seeds – Devon
www.vitalseeds.co.uk
Offers an extensive range of organic seeds.
Welsh Dragon Chilli – Monmouthshire
www.welshdragonchilli.weebly.com
A fiery collection of unusual and rare chillies.
Highlights EU
Arche Noah – AT
www.arche-noah.at
A seed collective preserving, maintaining, developing, and supplying endangered vegetable varieties.
Franchi Seeds – IT
www.seedsofitaly.com
With a history dating back to 1783, this Italian heritage veg specialist catalogue spans various crops that you’d expect to find in the old farmers’ markets of Italy.
Graines-Baumaux – FR
www.graines-baumaux.fr
A large seed house that stocks a mammoth selection of varieties, including a broad range of hard-to-find heirlooms.
Irish Seed Savers – IE
www.irishseedsavers.ie
A registered charity that maintains and distributes some of the rarest and most endangered food crops, including heritage apple trees and landrace vegetables. The extensive catalogue offers a comprehensive collection of seeds, including a good selection of Irish heirlooms.
Kokopelli Association – FR
www.kokopelli-semences.fr
An outstanding organization dedicated to promoting and preserving heritage food crops and championing local growers and suppliers. Based in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Kokopelli offers a phenomenal number of rare seeds and carries out important seed-saving work.
Mir Tomatov – UE
https://milana89.wixsite.com/mir-tomatov
A small family-run tomato seed farm in Odessa, Ukraine, which has one of the broadest collections of rare, exotic, and ancient tomatoes I’ve come across. All seeds are grown onsite by Yulia Yatskiv with the assistance of her husband and their son.
Saemereien – CH
www.saemereien.ch
A massive seed collection, including many rare and carefully maintained heritage cultivars.
Sow Diverse – IE
www.sowdiverse.ie
A wonderfully diverse selection of heritage and heirloom seeds, many of which aren’t available elsewhere.
Les Refardes – ESP
www.lesrefardes.coop
A Barcelona-based cooperative that maintains and supplies ancient and traditional seed varieties adapted to the local climate.
Tomatofifou – FR
www.tomatofifou.com
Specializing in the family Solanaceae, this company in Saint-Ferréol-des-Côtes stocks an elite selection of tomatoes, aubergines/eggplants, peppers, and chillies.
Vertiloom – BE
www.vertiloom.com
Seed outlet offering a broad selection of hard-to-find tomatoes, peppers, and chillies.
Extended EU
123 Seeds – NL
www.123seeds.com
Outlet offering vegetable, herb, and flower seeds.
Anchillique’s Seeds Shop – NL
www.shop.anchilique.nl
Stocks a hot, sweet, and spicy collection of peppers.
Badskin’s Garden – BE
www.badskinsgarden.be
Pepper, tomato, and chilli specialist.
Bingenheimer Saatgut – DE
www.bingenheimersaatgut.de
Extensive catalogue of high-quality seeds.
Bobby Seeds – DE
www.bobby-seeds.com
Specializes in pumpkins and offers various other seed varieties too.
Brown Envelope Seeds – IE
www.brownenvelopeseeds.ie
A small supplier of organic-certified seed grown in Ireland.
Burpee Europe – EU
www.burpee.com
A leading supplier of vegetable, flower, and herb seeds.
Croatian Seeds Store – HR
www.croatianseeds-store.com
A wide variety of unusual and hard-to-find heirlooms.
Cycle en Terre – BE
www.cycle-en-terre.be
A seed cooperative offering organic heritage varieties.
De Bolster – NL
www.bolster.eu
An organic supplier of vegetable seeds.
Deaflora – DE
www.deaflora.de
A unique selection of rare and exotic fruit and berries, and some stunning flowers.
Dreschflegel – DE
www.dreschflegel-shop.de
Founded in Germany in 1990, this collective preserves and offers ancient vegetable varieties and other food crops.
Fatalii Seeds – FI
www.fataliiseeds.net
Chilli and pepper seeds only!
Ferme de Sainte Marthe – FR
www.fermedesaintemarthe.com
An extensive range of crops, including plenty of heritage varieties.
Florsilva – IT
www.florsilva.it
A wide range of heirloom vegetables, including many Italian cultivars that are difficult to find elsewhere.
FOBO – SE
www.fobo.se
Seed store selling organic-certified varieties.
Fruit Hill Farm – IE
www.fruithillfarm.com
An outlet carrying a selection of heirloom seeds and heritage potatoes.
Garant Zaden – NL
www.garantzaden.nl
Gardening outlet selling equipment, seeds, and more.
Impecta Fröhandel – SE
www.impecta.se
Seeds adapted to the Nordic climate.
Irinas Tomaten – DE
www.irinas-tomaten.de
An independently run supplier that’s a haven for hard-to-find tomatoes, aubergines/eggplants, peppers, and chillies.
J & L Seeds – FR
www.jandlseeds.com
A family-run farm with more than 30 years of seed-saving experience and an exciting catalogue of heritage crops, particularly old French heirlooms.
Jansen Zaden – NL
www.jansenzaden.nl
Pumpkin enthusiast that also offers flowers and vegetables.
JardiCentro – PT
www.loja.jardicentro.pt
A vast selection of heritage vegetables and fruit trees.
KCB Samen – CH
www.kcb-samen.ch
Squash and pumpkin specialist with an extensive range of groovy gourds.
Lindbloms Frö – SE
www.lindbloms.se
A large assortment of vegetable and flower seeds suited to colder climates.
Magic Garden Seeds – DE
www.magicgardenseeds.com
Old heritage and rare varieties from across Germany and Europe more widely.
MergenMetz – NL
www.mergenmetz.nl
A seed-saving association and heirloom seed advocate that offers a catalogue of heritage varieties grown in its own garden.
Mr Middleton Garden Shop – IE
www.mrmiddleton.com
Dublin-based distributor of gardening supplies, seeds, and equipment.
Mustila Puutarha – FI
www.mustilapuutarha.fi
A large-scale supplier of seeds, bulbs, tubers, and gardening equipment.
Nikitovka Seeds – UA
https://nikitovka.com
Vegetable varieties from Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
The Organic Centre – IE
www.theorganiccentre.ie
Irish not-for-profit company with an organic seed catalogue.
Organic Seeds – UA
https://organicseeds.top
Seed supplier with a charming collection of veggie seeds.
Peperzaden – NL
www.peperzaden.nl/peperzaden
An astonishing assortment of chillies and peppers.
Pomidorlandia – PL
www.pomidorlandia.pl
A phenomenal selection of exciting and unique tomatoes.
Pratensis AB – SE
www.pratensis.se
Wild and native flower seed.
Rara Växter – SE
www.raravaxter.se
Supplier of classic vegetable seeds.
Rare Plants – DE
www.rareplants.de
Rare flowers, fruit trees, ornamental grasses, vegetable seeds, and more.
ReinSaat – AT
www.reinsaat.at
Biodynamic seed initiative with a catalogue that covers an extensive range of heirloom crops.
Runåbergs Fröer – SE
www.runabergsfroer.se
The catalogue offers a range of organic seeds adapted to the Nordic climate, including both traditional and modern varieties.
Sativa-Rheinau – CH
www.sativa-rheinau.ch
A comprehensive collection of organic vegetable seeds.
Secret Seed Cartel – FR
www.secretseedcartel.com
Plant preservationists Sebastien and Terry offer a collection of heirloom and heritage seeds grown in France.
Seeds Gallery – DE
www.seeds-gallery.com
Vegetables, herbs, exotic fruit, and flowers.
Semailles – FR
www.semaille.com
Organic supplier of regional French heritage vegetable seed.
Sementes Vivas – PT
www.sementesvivas.bio
Biodynamic farm producing locally adapted open-pollinated seed.
Semo – CZ
www.semo.cz
Czech seed merchant offering large packets for professional growers.
Sluis Garden – NL
www.sluisgarden.com
Offers classic vegetable seeds.
Sunshine Seeds – DE
www.sunshine-seeds.de
Exotic plants and seeds from tropical and subtropical regions.
Tomaten Finden – DE
www.tomatenfinden.de
Specializes in rare tomatoes, peppers, chillies, and aubergines/eggplants.
Tomaten mit Geschmack – DE
www.tomatenmitgeschmack.de
A nursery that grows heritage and heirloom plants for resale.
Tomatensamen – DE
www.tomatensamen.com
High-quality tomato seeds, including lots of heirloom varieties.
Tomato Eden – PL
https://en.tomatoeden.net
Heirloom tomato and pepper supplier.
Vitale Rassen – BE
www.vitalerassen.be
Organic, open-pollinated seeds.
Vitalis Biologische Zaden – NL
https://nl.biovitalis.eu
Large-scale supplier of organic seed.
Vreeken’s Zaden – NL
www.vreeken.nl
Extensive seed catalogue, with a good selection of garlic.
Zaadhandel & Tuinwinkel Van der Wal – NL
www.zaadhandelvanderwal.nl
A wide range of seeds, including potatoes, and an outlet for garden equipment and supplies.
Highlights USA
Adaptive Seeds – Oregon
www.adaptiveseeds.com
Organic-certified seed company in the Pacific Northwest that stewards and offers a diverse range of rare open-pollinated and heirloom crops.
Alliance of Native Seedkeepers - North Carolina
www.allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com
Supplies native heirloom seeds and collaborates with Indigenous American communities to restore their ancestral foodways and sacred relationships with their mother seeds.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds – Missouri
www.rareseeds.com
A seed hunter’s paradise and a one-stop shop for all things heirloom. This seed specialist founded by Jere Gettle has one of the world’s most impressive heritage seed offerings. It also hosts and organizes several annual events at the farm in Mansfield, including the National Heirloom Expo.
Cucumber Shop – California
www.cucumbershop.com
Catering to all your cucumber needs, this shop offers a brilliant selection of cukes, including a vast collection of ancient Italian carosellos.
Cultivariable – Washington
www.cultivariable.com
William Whitson is the mastermind behind the marvellous Cultivariable, which breeds and offers incredible ancient tubers and roots, including mashua, oca, ulluco, yacon, potatoes, and their fascinating relatives.
Diaspora Asian Seeds – New Jersey
www.diasporaasianseeds.com
Rare and difficult-to-obtain seeds of Asian vegetables, fruit, and greens.
Filaree Farm – Washington
www.filareefarm.com
A great selection of seed garlic, potatoes, and some hard-to-find shallots.
J. L. Hudson, Seedsman – California
www.jlhudsonseeds.net
A publicly accessible seed bank working towards the preservation of threatened and endangered plants.
Open Source Seed Initiative – Wisconsin
www.osseeds.org
OSSI aims to maintain open access to diverse seed resources. It collaborates with growers to offer open-pollinated heirloom seeds.
Roughwood Center for Heritage Seedways – Pennsylvania
www.seedways.org
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to heritage food crops. The collection now consists of thousands of heirloom varieties, of which a vast selection is offered in the catalogue.
Sand Hill Preservation Center – Iowa
www.sandhillpreservation.com
The entire catalogue is grown and maintained on the farm in Clinton County, with the help of a selected handful of trusted seed growers across the country. The focus is the preservation of plant genetics, and some real gems can be found here.
Seed Savers Exchange – Iowa
www.seedsavers.org
Founded in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy, this not-for-profit organization is dedicated to preserving endangered food crops in America. Offers a vast selection of rare seeds and educates the world about the importance of seed-saving.
Siskiyou Seeds – Oregon
www.siskiyouseeds.com
This heirloom seed farm, with a lovely selection of varieties, works as a collective with other growers throughout the West Coast.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange – Virginia
www.southernexposure.com
A worker-run cooperative based in the hilly landscape of central Virginia that offers a fantastic selection of heirloom and open-pollinated varieties.
TomatoFest – California
www.tomatofest.com
Founded by Gary Ibsen and Dagma Lacey, they offer many organically certified, open-pollinated heirloom tomatoes. It’s a tomato-lover paradise!
True Love Seeds – Philadelphia
www.trueloveseeds.com
The catalogue features a comprehensive list of heirloom crops with deep cultural ties. Their seeds are grown across the US by small-scale independent growers and farmers dedicated to preserving and promoting seed sovereignty and cultural heritage. The company shares the profits equally with its seed farmers, with 50% of packet sales going directly to the grower.
Two Seeds in a Pod – Florida
www.twoseedsinapod.com
A family-run seed farm that specializes in heritage food crops from Turkey, specifically seeds native to the Anatolia region. Some fantastic historical offerings are to be found.
Extended USA
2BSeeds – Colorado
www.2bseeds.com
Wildflower and pollinator-friendly flowers, heirlooms and Asian vegetable seeds.
American Meadows – Vermont
www.americanmeadows.com
A well-respected outlet for wildflowers, native grasses, perennials and more.
Amkha Seed – Colorado
www.amkhaseed.com
Seed supplier and breeder with an extensive collection of open-pollinated heirlooms, including rare heritage types.
Anderson’s Seed and Garden – Utah
www.andersonseedandgarden.com
Gardening outlet offering seeds, tools and equipment.
Annie’s Heirloom Seeds – Wisconsin
www.anniesheirloomseeds.com
An outlet that strictly sells heirloom seeds.
BBB Seed – Colorado
www.bbbseed.com
Wildflower specialists who also stock native grasses and heirloom seeds.
BJ Gourmet Garlic Farm – Ohio
www.bjgarlic.com
Family-run farm offering a great collection of seed garlic.
Boondockers Farm – Oregon
www.boondockersfarm.com
Small farm supplying rare speciality fruit and vegetable seed.
Botanical Interests – Colorado
www.botanicalinterests.com
Large online outlet supplying gardening equipment and seeds.
Burpee – Philadelphia
www.burpee.com
One of the biggest suppliers of seed across America.
Burrell Seeds – Colorado
www.burrellseeds.us
Small seed company that prides itself in supplying packets of seeds containing higher quantities than the average packet.
Camp Point Seed Company – Illinois
www.camppointseedco.com
A family operation that stocks wildflowers, grasses and vegetable seeds.
Cherry Gal - North Carolina
www.cherrygal.com
Carries a selection of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds.
Clear Creek Seeds – Oklahoma
www.clearcreekseeds.com
Heirloom seeds sold in clear, resealable plastic pouches.
Common Wealth Seed Growers – Virginia
www.commonwealthseeds.com
A seed cooperative supplying regionally adapted open-pollinated seed.
Companion Plants – Ohio
www.companionplants.com
Exotic herb plants, including medicinal, culinary, ceremonial, pollinator-friendly and much more.
Cross Country Nurseries – New Jersey
www.chileplants.com
A broad collection of crazy cool chillies and peppers.
Daggawalla Seeds – New Mexico
www.daggawalla.com
Seed company that started as urban growers in Portland before moving to a more rural location in New Mexico supplies home-grown, open-pollinated organic seed.
Diane’s Flower Seeds – Utah
www.dianeseeds.com
Open-pollinated and heirloom flowers, including rare perennials.
Dirt Goddess Super Seeds – New Jersey
www.dirtgoddessseeds.com
Kristen Brown, the Dirt Goddess, offers a beautiful range of seed garlic grown on her farm located in Port Jervis.
Dixondale Farms – Texas
www.dixondalefarms.com
Onion experts!
Eden Brothers – North Carolina
www.edenbrothers.com
All-round outlet for flowers, herbs, bulbs, and vegetables.
Experimental Farm Network – Philadelphia
www.experimentalfarmnetwork.org
A seed network that works with local growers and farmers to diversify and bolster seed supply. They offer an exciting range of open-pollinated varieties.
Fedco Seeds – Maine
www.fedcoseeds.com
A collection of cold-hardy seeds, tubers, bulbs, and trees adapted to the harsh weather of northern climates.
Ferry-Morse – Massachusetts
www.ferrymorse.com
Outlet supplying general gardening equipment, flowers, plants, and seeds.
Forgotten Heirlooms – Ohio
www.forgottenheirlooms.com
Suppliers of a good range of heirloom seeds, including hard-to-find tomato varieties.
Foundroot – Alaska
www.foundroot.com
A small family operation that focuses on securing the Alaskan food system by supplying regionally adapted open-pollinated seeds.
Fruition Seeds - New York
www.fruitionseeds.com
Based in the Finger Lakes, New York State, the seed company catalogue features a selection of heirloom seeds.
The Garden Studio – USA
https://shop.thegardenstudio.info
A small, independent online outfit that stocks a collection of heirloom vegetable seeds.
The Garlic Store – Colorado
www.thegarlicstore.com
Lots of exciting and rare garlic to be found.
Garlicana – Oregon
www.garlicana.com
Small garlic and shallot outlet practising organic and regenerative methods.
Goodwin Creek – Oregon
www.goodwincreek.com
Organically grown culinary and medicinal plants.
Gourmet Seed International – California
www.gourmetseed.com
Seed dealer with plenty of choice.
Great Lakes Staple Seeds – Michigan
www.greatlakesstapleseeds.com
Offers a collection of Michigan-grown staple seed varieties.
Groundswell Seed Farm – Maine
www.groundswellfarmme.wixsite.com
A biodynamic heirloom seed farm whose varieties are adapted to northern climates.
Grower Jim’s Plants and Produce – Florida
www.growerjim.blogspot.com
Ginger rhizomes and other tropical plants raised by Grower Jim.
Growin’ Crazy Acres Heirloom Seeds – Florida
www.growincrazyacres.com
A carefully selected catalogue of heirloom seeds that will thrive in the Florida climate.
Gurney’s – New Mexico
www.gurneys.com
Large gardening outlet.
Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery – California
www.harmonyfarm.com
Organic supplier of gardening equipment, who stock some interesting seed potatoes and a selection of seed and garlic.
Harris Seeds – New York
www.harrisseeds.com
A leading retailer of gardening supplies and seeds.
Hawai’i Seed Growers Network – Honolulu
www.hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.com
Seed-growing network offering open-pollinated seed adapted to the Hawaiian climate.
Heirloom Solutions – Illinois
www.heirloomseedsolutions.com
Heirloom seed outlet run by a small family in Illinois.
Heritage Flower Farm – Wisconsin
www.heritageflowerfarm.com
Native Wisconsin plants and flowers and many other heirloom blooms and grasses.
Heritage Gourmet Garlic – Montana
www.heritagegourmetgarlic.com
A small farm in the mountains of Montana offering seed garlic.
High Mowing Organic Seeds – Vermont
www.highmowingseeds.com
Certified organic seed outlet with a large catalogue.
Hometown Seeds – Utah
www.hometownseeds.com
Seed merchants with a standard offering.
Hoss – Georgia
www.growhoss.com
Tools, seeds, plants, and supplies.
Hudson Valley Seed Co. – New York
www.hudsonvalleyseed.com
A great source of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds with some beautiful varieties.
Hume Seeds – Washington
www.humeseeds.com
The seed company of famous US gardening TV star Ed Hume.
Irish Eyes Garden Seeds – Washington
www.irisheyesgardenseeds.com
A small-scale family affair with an excellent collection of potatoes and garlic.
J & L Gardens – New Mexico
www.jandlgardens.com
Independent researching and breeding farm offering regionally adapted heirloom vegetables, including a tempting selection of tomatoes.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Maine
www.johnnyseeds.com
An extensive catalogue of seeds and a supplier of equipment and tools.
Jung Seed – Wisconsin
www.jungseed.com
A large gardening outlet that stocks everything from seeds to tools.
Kitazawa Seed – California
www.trueleafmarket.com/collections/kitazawa
A trusted name in the seed industry, providing an extensive and exciting selection of Asian vegetables.
Landreth’s Garden Seeds – Philadelphia
www.landrethseed.com
America’s oldest seed company founded in 1784 by David and Cuthbert Landreth.
Laurel’s Heirloom Tomato Plants – California
www.heirloomtomatoplants.com
Heirloom tomatoes and lots of them.
Living Seed Company – California
www.livingseedcompany.com
Husband and wife Astrid and Matthew Hoffman founded the company in 2011, and they grow, breed, and distribute all their own seeds.
Mad River Garlic Growers – Ohio
www.madrivergarlicgrowers.com
Small-scale garlic farm located that offers a good range of seed garlic.
Maine Potato Lady – Maine
www.mainepotatolady.com
The Maine Potato Lady offers an excellent variety of high-quality seed potatoes. These organic potatoes are carefully grown on a 100-acre certified farm in the beautiful and hilly terrain of Maine by the LaCourse family.
Mary’s Heirloom Seeds – Texas
www.marysheirloomseeds.com
Independent outlet offering heirloom seeds, including lots of exciting beans.
Meadowlark Hearth – Nebraska
www.meadowlarkhearth.org
High-quality seed adapted to the midwest state’s climate.
Michigan Heirlooms – Michigan
www.michiganheirlooms.com
Small family operation supplying homegrown heirloom seed.
Monticello – Virginia
www.monticelloshop.org
They offer a range of historic vegetable varieties previously grown at Monticello by 3rd US President Thomas Jefferson.
Mountain Rose Herbs – Oregon
www.mountainroseherbs.com
Organically certified medicinal and culinary herb seed.
Mountain Valley Growers – California
www.mountainvalleygrowers.com
Perennials, plants, herbs and seeds, all organically certified.
MyPatriotSupply – Indiana
www.mypatriotsupply.com
A self-reliance outlet that stocks “triple-sealed safeguard” heirloom seed vaults that keep seed viable even when stored for long periods.
Native Seeds – Arizona
www.nativeseeds.org
Not-for-profit seed bank and conservation centre that offers native and regionally adapted seeds to the greater southwest.
Nature & Nurture Seeds – Michigan
www.natureandnurtureseeds.com
Seed farm based on the outskirts of Ann Arbor, supplying organically certified, open-pollinated and heirloom seeds adapted to the midwest.
NE Seed – Connecticut
www.neseed.com
A comprehensive collection of conventional and organic seeds.
Nichols Garden Nursery – Oregon
https://nicholsgardennursery.com
A good place to find garlic and saffron bulbs.
Ohio Heirloom Seeds – Ohio
www.ohioheirloomseeds.com
A small retailer that offers open-pollinated and heirloom seeds only.
Organic Heirloom Plants – Michigan
www.organicheirloomplants.com
Sustainably grown and sourced organic heirloom seed.
Osborne Quality Seeds – Washington
www.osborneseed.com
A seed dealer that supplies a host of vegetable seeds.
Park Seed – South Carolina
www.parkseed.com
A famous seed house that’s been around since 1868.
Pinetree Garden Seeds – Maine
www.superseeds.com
A family-run seed company that operates out of a 300-year-old farmhouse in Maine. They have a good catalogue of heirlooms.
The Plant Good Seed Co. – California
www.plantgoodseed.com
Vegetable, flower, and herb seed varieties sourced from a trusted network of growers.
Plants of the Southwest – New Mexico
www.plantsofthesouthwest.com
Small seed store and plant nursery supplying southwest native plants, shrubs, cacti, and other desert-adapted offerings.
Pueblo Seed & Food Co. – Colorado
www.farmdirectseed.com
Certified organic, open-pollinated seed bred with higher drought tolerances.
Quail Seeds – California
www.quailseeds.com
Open-pollinated and heirloom seeds grown along the Eel River, the Chevalier family live and run the business from their two log cabins in the woods.
Redwood Seeds – California
www.redwoodseeds.net
Grown in the foothills of Lassen Peak, these heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties are selected and adapted to the Mediterranean climate of California.
Refining Fire Chiles – Georgia
www.superhotchiles.com
Rare and spicy chillies!
Renaissance Farms – Indiana
www.renaissancefarms.org
Based out of Bloomington, the farm specializes in supplying heirloom tomato seeds.
Renee’s Garden – California
www.reneesgarden.com
They offer a range of flower and vegetable varieties.
Restoration Seeds – Oregon
www.restorationseeds.com
Founded by Chuck Burr, they offer an extensive catalogue of strictly open-pollinated and heirloom seeds.
Rolling Hills – California
www.rollinghillsherbs.com
Certified organic heirloom plant and flower nursery.
San Diego Seed Company – California
www.sandiegoseedcompany.com
Locally adapted organically certified seeds.
Seed Geeks – Missouri
www.etsy.com/shop/seedgeeks
St Louis-based seed geeks offering a hand-selected catalogue of crops of flowers.
The Seed Guy – Oklahoma
www.theseedguy.net
Heirloom seed starter packs containing over 60 varieties of vegetables and fruit per pack.
Seed Treasures – Minnesota
www.seedtreasures.com
The 200-acre off-grid farm has made it its mission to preserve, promote and offer a vast selection of heirloom seeds.
Seeds from Italy – Kansas
www.growitalian.com
US outlet for Franci seeds that supplies authentic heritage Italian vegetable seeds.
Seeds of the Prairie – Illinois
www.seedsoftheprairie.com
Prairie, wildflower and native grass enthusiasts.
Seeds for the South – South Carolina
www.seedsforthesouth.com
Supplying vegetable varieties suited to growing in zones 7, 8 and 9.
Seeds Trust – Colorado
www.seedstrust.com
Seed supplier that encourages growers to save their own seed. Their catalogue offers open-pollinated and heirloom seeds and an extensive collection of varieties adapted to high-altitude gardens and colder climates with shorter seasons.
SeedsNow – California
www.seedsnow.com
Online seed outlet that carries a handful of heirlooms.
Select Seeds – Connecticut
www.selectseeds.com
Antique and heirloom flower specialists!
The South GA Seed Company – Georgia
https://stores.southgaseedco.com
Family-run, off-grid, solar-powered seed farm that strictly offers open-pollinated and heirloom varieties.
Sow True Seed – North Carolina
www.sowtrueseed.com
Employee-owned seed cooperative supplying high-quality, regionally adapted, regeneratively grown open-pollinated seeds.
Sprout People – California
www.sproutpeople.org
Microgreens specialist.
Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center Inc. – Kentucky
www.heirlooms.org
Helps farmers to diversify their income and educates young people about farming and seed-saving; also offers a vast catalogue of wonderful heritage seeds.
Tasteful Garden – Alabama
www.tastefulgarden.com
A supplier of healthy organic heirloom plants.
Territorial Seed Company – Oregon
www.territorialseed.com
Many seeds are on offer, including a collection of groovy garlic varieties.
Terroir Seeds – Arizona
https://store.underwoodgardens.com
Small-scale grower, supplier, and advocate of heirloom seed and healthy soil.
Todd’s Seeds – Michigan
www.toddsseeds.com
Heirloom seeds in bulk.
True Leaf Market – Utah
www.trueleafmarket.com
A large-scale supplier that carries an extensive range of seeds.
Turtle Tree Seed – New York
www.turtletreeseed.org
A small not-for-profit producer and supplier of Demeter biodynamic-certified seed.
UF Seeds – Indiana
www.ufseeds.com
Online seed outlet with a broad selection of seeds.
Uprising Seeds – Washington
www.uprisingorganics.com
100 per cent organic-certified and open-pollinated varieties grown by small family farms across the Pacific Northwest.
Vermont Bean – Vermont
www.vermontbean.com
Beans, beans, beans!
Vermont Wildflower Farm – Vermont
www.vermontwildflowerfarm.com
Wildflowers, vegetables, grasses, and more.
Victory Seeds – Texas
www.victoryseeds.com
Family operation with a catalogue featuring a good collection of heritage crops.
Westwind Seeds and Gardenscapes – Arizona
www.westwindseeds.com
Seed dealer supplying strictly heirloom seeds.
Wild Boar Farm – California
www.wildboarfarms.com
Founded by tomato breeder extraordinaire Brad Gates, Wild Boar Farm offers some of the most outrageous and unusual open-pollinated tomatoes on the market.
Wild Garden Seed – Oregon
www.wildgardenseed.com
An organic seed farm and distributor owned and operated by renowned seed specialists Frank and Karen Morton, who have developed many of their own open-pollinated varieties.
Wild Seed Project – Maine
www.wildseedproject.net
Raises awareness of the importance of wild and native plants.
Wood Prairie Farm – Maine
www.woodprairie.com
Great for organic-certified seed potatoes.
Highlights Canada
Canadian Organic Seed Company – Ontario
www.certifiedseeds.ca
An independent organic supplier of heirloom seeds, garlic, and potatoes.
The Cottage Gardener Heirloom Seedhouse – Ontario
Family-run nursery and heirloom seed house committed to preserving genetic diversity by offering rare and endangered varieties.
Eagle Creek Seed Potatoes – Alberta
www.seedpotatoes.ca
A broad and exciting range of certified organic seed potatoes, all grown on the farm.
Eagle Ridge Seeds – British Columbia
www.eagleridgeseeds.com
Grower and distributor of rare and endangered heirloom seeds.
Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds – Ontario
www.hawthornfarm.ca
A brilliant collection of garlic and heirloom seeds grown, cleaned, packed, and distributed on the farm.
Heritage Harvest Seed – Manitoba
www.heritageharvestseed.com
One of Canada’s most significant sources of rare and endangered heritage seeds.
The Incredible Seed Co. – Nova Scotia
www.incredibleseeds.ca
Set up by husband and wife Hilary and Christopher Muller in their off-grid home. The wide-ranging catalogue strictly sells open-pollinated and heirloom seeds only.
Pepper Merchant – Ontario
www.peppermerchant.net
A diverse collection of rare and unique open-pollinated pepper seeds, ranging from classic heirloom chillies to vibrant variegated bell peppers.
Rasa Creek Farm – British Columbia
www.rasacreekfarm.com
A grower’s collective offering a range of high-quality seed garlic and bulbils.
Salt Spring Seeds – British Columbia
www.saltspringseeds.com
Founded by Dan Jason, the company offers a broad spectrum of exclusively heirloom and open-pollinated seeds.
Tatiana’s Tomatobase – British Columbia
www.tatianastomatobase.com
One of the largest privately owned and funded seed banks in North America, supplying a vast number of heirloom seeds, including one of the best tomato catalogues in the world.
Wildrose Heritage Seed Company – Alberta
www.wildroseheritageseed.com
A seed outlet that offers solely heritage seeds grown without chemicals.
Extended Canada
A’Bunadh Seeds – Alberta
www.abunadhseeds.ca
A large farm producing locally grown and regionally adapted open-pollinated seeds.
Brother Nature Seeds – British Columbia
www.brothernature.ca
Independent seed outlet providing open-pollinated and heritage varieties.
Eternal Seed – British Columbia
www.eternalseed.ca
Small family seed outlet with a neat catalogue of crops.
Gelert Garden Farm – Ontario
www.gelertgardenfarm.ca
An independent family-run farm that offers a beautiful selection of heirloom seeds, potatoes, and garlic.
Hope Seeds – Nova Scotia
www.hopeseed.com
A catalogue of seeds produced and adapted for growing in eastern Canada.
Kitchen Table Seed House – Ontario
www.kitchentableseedhouse.ca
A seed outlet dedicated to offering the tastiest vegetable varieties.
Mandy’s Greenhouse – Manitoba
www.mandysgreenhouse.com
Hobby gardener with a selection of very rare heirlooms and heritage vegetable seeds.
Mapple Farm – New Brunswick
www.mapplefarm.com
Independent seed farm that sells only the seed it produces.
Norwegian Creek Farm – British Columbia
www.norwegiancreekfarm.ca
An organic family-run farm whose catalogue lists a good range of seed garlic.
Prairie Garden Seeds – Saskatchewan
www.prairiegardenseeds.ca
Father-and-daughter duo whose organic family farm produces 95 per cent of the seeds listed in the catalogue.
Rainbow Seeds – New Brunswick
www.rainbowseeds.ca
Online seed store stocking open-pollinated and heirloom types.
Richters – Ontario
www.richters.com
An extensive range of medicinal and culinary herbs.
La Société des Plantes – Québec
www.lasocietedesplantes.com
Organic catalogue aimed at gardeners in colder climates.
Solana Seeds – Québec
www.solanacom.com
A small online seed outlet that offers heirloom seeds, including lots of tomatoes.
Strathcona 1890 – British Columbia
www.strathcona1890.com
Heirloom seed gift boxes and memorabilia.
Sunshine Farm Seeds – British Columbia
www.sunshinefarm.net
Educational centre and organic heirloom seed outlet.
Terra Edibles – Ontario
www.terraedibles.ca
A good selection of heirloom tomatoes and beans, among other veg.
Two Wings Farm – British Columbia
www.twowingsfarm.com
A small family-run business founded in 1986 to supply regionally adapted seeds to the bioregions of the south coast of British Columbia.
Veseys – Prince Edward Island
www.veseys.com
Seed outlet with standard vegetable offerings.
West Coast Seeds – British Columbia
www.westcoastseeds.com
Large gardening outlet with a comprehensive collection of seeds.
William Dam Seeds – Ontario
www.damseeds.com
A broad seed catalogue, as well as gardening supplies and equipment.
Yonder Hill Farm – Nova Scotia
www.yonderhillfarm.ca
A small seed farm that grows and produces its own seed and offers a good choice of heirlooms.
Australia
4Seasons Seeds – New South Wales
www.4seasonsseeds.com.au
Supplier of rare plants and seeds.
Birdland Seeds – Victoria
www.birdlandseeds.com
Most of the catalogue is grown and produced onsite; includes organic-certified open-pollinated seed.
Boondie Seeds – New South Wales
www.boondieseeds.com.au
Small seed producer supplying locally grown flower, veg, and herb seed.
The Diggers Club – Victoria
www.diggers.com.au
An extensive range of heirloom seeds and rare plants.
Drylands Permaculture Farm – Western Australia
www.drylands.org.au
A not-for-profit environmental organization and education farm offering lots of seeds.
Eden Seeds – Queensland
www.edenseeds.com.au
Specializes in traditional open-pollinated vegetable seeds, particularly Australian heirlooms.
Fair Dinkum Seeds – Queensland
www.fairdinkumseeds.com
A farm outlet with an extensive range of rare and exotic heritage and open-pollinated seeds.
Garlic Kingdom Australia – New South Wales
www.garlickingdom.com.au
A boutique outlet with a good catalogue of heritage garlic.
Green Harvest – Queensland
www.greenharvest.com.au
Specializing in rare perennial fruit and organic seeds.
Greenpatch Organic Seeds & Plants – New South Wales
www.greenpatchseeds.com.au
Certified organic seed and plant supplier specializing in heirloom seeds, rare herbs, and fruit trees.
Heirloom Harvest – South Australia
www.heirloomharvest.com.au
A small seed farm that grows and produces all of its own stock.
The Italian Gardener – South Australia
www.theitaliangardener.com.au
Australia’s outlet for Franchi seeds, for authentic Italian heritage vegetables.
The Lost Seed – Queensland
www.thelostseed.com.au
A small family-run farm established in 2002. With an emphasis on endangered heirloom seeds and ancient cultures, the catalogue offers an exciting and extensive selection of seeds, tubers, and garlic.
The Seed Collection – Victoria
www.theseedcollection.com.au
A family business with a wide range of rare heirlooms and open-pollinated seeds grown without chemicals.
Seed Freaks – Tasmania
www.seedfreaks.com.au
Specializing in rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated seed.
The Seed Garlic Shop – Victoria
www.theseedgarlicshop.com.au
Garlic supplier with a great range of rare and hard-to-come-by bulbs.
Seed Mart – Queensland
www.seedmart.com.au
Lots of standard seed offerings.
Southern Harvest – Tasmania
www.southernharvest.com.au
Tasmanian regionally adapted seeds.
Succeed Heirlooms – Queensland
www.succeedheirlooms.com.au
An outlet stocking old-fashioned vegetable varieties.
Tasmanian Gourmet Garlic – Tasmania
www.tasmaniangourmetgarlic.com.au
Boasting Australia’s most extensive catalogue of seed garlic, there are some real gems to be found here.
New Zealand
Awapuni Nurseries – Manawatū-Whanganui
www.awapuni.co.nz
A large outlet carrying plants, shrubs, seeds, and other gardening supplies.
Bristol – Manawatū-Whanganui
www.bristol.co.nz
A great collection of heritage tomatoes.
Egmont Seed Company – Taranaki
www.egmontseeds.co.nz
Large seed house with lots to offer.
Grow Yours – Auckland
www.growyours.nz
Offers a good range of heirloom seeds and Māori potatoes.
Ignition Seed Company – Auckland
www.ignitionseeds.co.nz
A collection of hot and spicy peppers from around the world.
Italian Seeds Pronto – Taranaki
www.italianseedspronto.co.nz
New Zealand outlet for Franchi seeds, for authentic Italian heritage veg.
Kings Seeds – Bay of Plenty
www.kingsseeds.co.nz
A popular outlet for seed, equipment, and gardening supplies.
Kōanga – Hawke’s Bay
www.koanga.org.nz
Founded in the 1980s by Kay Baxter and Bob Corker, Kōanga’s primary goal has been to offer a diverse range of heirloom vegetable seeds, native fruit trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Mr Fothergill’s Seeds – Auckland
www.mrfothergills.co.nz
Lots of standard options.
NZ Seeds – Canterbury
www.nzseeds.co.nz
Supplier of native trees, shrubs, and more.
Owairaka Seeds – Auckland
www.owairakaseeds.co.nz
A catalogue of rare and hard-to-find flower seeds.
Sentinels Group Seeds – various
www.sentinelsgroup.co.nz
A collective of passionate hobby gardeners and seed-savers offering a catalogue of locally adapted home-grown heirloom seed.
Setha’s Seeds – Hawke’s Bay
www.sethasseeds.co.nz
A small family-run seed farm that grows all its seeds onsite. The catalogue offers a brilliant range of heirlooms, including an expansive list of local heritage varieties.
Southern Seed Exchange – Canterbury
www.southernseed.org.nz
Seed exchange and organization dedicated to preserving plant genetics and heirloom crops, with a broad catalogue of heirloom seeds.
Southland Seed Savers – Southland
www.sces.org.nz/southland-seed-savers
Seed library run by the South Coast Environmental Society.
Te Mata Garlic – Hawke’s Bay
www.tematagarlic.nz
An excellent outlet offering various heritage varieties from different garlic groups.
South Africa
Glen Heirloom & Speciality Seeds – Gauteng
www.glenseeds.co.za
A great source of heirloom and speciality vegetable seeds, with an extensive catalogue.
Livingseeds – Gauteng
www.livingseeds.co.za
A small family-operated seed farm that works with local growers to produce a catalogue of excellent heritage varieties.
MayFord – Western Cape
www.mayford.co.za
A long-standing seed outlet with an extensive offering. Also distributes Sakata seeds and products in southern Africa.
Organic Seeds – Kwazulu-Natal
www.organicseed.co.za
A small family-owned heirloom seed business and farm.
Seeds for Africa – Western Cape
www.seedsforafrica.co.za
A massive offering of seeds, equipment, and supplies, with a large collection of heirlooms and indigenous and exotic offerings.
Sought After Seedlings – Gauteng
www.soughtafterseedlings.co.za
An outlet for the well-established Linda’s Original and Italian specialist Franchi seeds, both offering heritage and heirloom varieties.
Starke Ayres – Western Cape
www.starkeayresgc.co.za
A large gardening outlet stocking all the essentials.
Global organizations, research centres, and other resources
Annadana
www.annadana-india.org
Annadana’s innovative Seed Bank has conserved thousands of heirloom varieties of native vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, spices, cereals, and grains, reviving the skills of seed-saving and supporting the livelihoods of farmers, urban gardeners, and farm enthusiasts across India.
ASEED Europe
www.aseed.net
A not-for-profit organization that aims to assist and empower individuals in their quest for fair and sustainable food systems.
Australian Plant Bank
www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/science-facilities/australian-plantbank
A partner of the Millennium Seed Bank Project, the institute is based in the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens. The plant bank serves as a repository for the seed of rare and endangered plant species.
AVRDC (Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre)
www.avrdc.org
An international not-for-profit research and development institute dedicated to empowering local growers and farmers and addressing poverty and malnutrition across Asia and in other parts of the world by promoting nutritious vegetables. The centre is home to a vast collection of heritage vegetables that may hold the key to solving these problems.
Balkan Seed Network
www.seeds4all.eu/seed-operators/european-networks/balkan-seed-network
A community dedicated to preserving the genetic diversity of plants in the Balkans, consisting of seed-savers, breeders, scientists, farmers, gardeners, associations, organizations, research institutes, and educational institutions working together to protect the region’s agricultural heritage.
Botanical Research Institute of Texas
www.fwbg.org/research
A prestigious scientific research institute dedicated to studying plant life. This is the only independent botanical research organization in the USA that offers easily accessible resources. The collection now contains more than 1.47 million specimens.
The Cherokee Nation Seed Bank
A vital institution aiming to preserve rare cultivars that embody centuries of Cherokee cultural and agricultural history. The Seed Bank is dedicated to passing on the knowledge of Cherokee culture to the younger generation by preserving exceptional cultivars not commonly found on the market. The plants represent an integral aspect of the Cherokee legacy and are a testament to the wisdom of their ancestors and elders.
Conservatoire de la Tomate
www.conservatoiredelatomate.fr
Louis Albert de Broglie’s extensive tomato collection contains more than 700 varieties, showcasing a wide range of flavours, colours, and textures. To celebrate this comprehensive collection, the Château de la Bourdaisière hosts a Tomato Festival every September.
Cyprus Seed Savers Association
A passionate and dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve and promote the diversity of Cypriot heirloom seeds. Their mission is to locate, carefully cultivate, and share these precious seeds, ensuring their survival for future generations.
De Oerakker
www.deoerakker.nl
An association that collaborates with three networks to preserve heritage plant types in the Netherlands. The Eeuwig Moes network preserves heirloom vegetable varieties, the De Bekoring network focuses on conserving ancient cereals and field crops, and the National Fruit network maintains Dutch plant cultural heritage by building an inventory of varieties that are currently stewarded in the Netherlands.
ECHO Asia Seed Bank
www.echocommunity.org/en/pages/echo_asia_seedbank_info
Located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the seed bank boasts a distinctive array of rare seeds well suited to tropical and subtropical climates. This exceptional resource centre is a valuable tool for farmers throughout Asia, providing trial seeds to promote food security, soil fertility, and increased income. Employing innovative farming practices and expert technical assistance, the seed bank has improved the lives of countless farmers across the region.
Edinburgh Seed Network
www.edinburghseednetwork.org
A fantastic initiative led by a passionate group of volunteers dedicated to promoting the sharing and celebration of seeds among Edinburgh’s local home and community growers. The primary goal is to support the availability of healthy and sustainable food for everyone by enabling access to a diverse range of seeds.
Federal Research Center, N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources
www.vir.nw.ru
One of the world’s largest and leading institutions, specializing in collecting and studying food crops, plants, and their wild relatives.
Föreningen Sesam
www.foreningensesam.se
A Swedish not-for-profit organization that encourages members to cultivate and produce their own seeds to preserve traditional or rare varieties. Offers resources such as propagation techniques and seed exchanges to create a sustainable and regenerative future.
Frøsamlerne
www.froesamlerne.dk
A Danish association committed to promoting biodiversity by safeguarding the genetic diversity of plants and preserving rare and endangered species. It has more than 1,000 members dedicated to the discovery, collection, registration, and preservation of various crops and plants.
The Gaia Foundation
www.gaiafoundation.org
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the natural world and the cultural diversity that exists within it. Through its work, it strives to regenerate and protect ecosystems while empowering local communities to take charge of their own natural resources and ecological governance.
Garden Organic
www.gardenorganic.org.uk
A UK-based charity that believes in the importance of sustainable food production and the preservation of the environment, and is dedicated to the research and promotion of organic gardening, farming, and food. One of the ways it achieves this is through the maintenance of the Heritage Seed Library. The seed bank preserves vegetable seeds from heritage cultivars at risk of being lost forever, and makes them available to growers.
Germplasm Bank of Wild Species
Asia’s biggest seed bank lies in the lush jungles of Southwest China’s Yunnan province. This biological repository houses an impressive collection of wild plant species and boasts state-of-the-art preservation and refrigeration capabilities.
Hariyalee Seeds
www.hariyaleeseeds.com
A family-run farm and research centre in Bengaluru, India. Dr Prabhakar Rao, a farmer and agriculturist, founded the project, which specializes in stewarding endangered and heirloom seeds from all over the world. It is dedicated to preserving rare and native species of vegetable for future generations.
Hawaii Public Seed Initiative
Assists Hawaiian farmers and communities through various programmes and resources, and provides an in-depth online database that helps local farmers to choose suitable seed varieties for the Hawaiian microclimate. The initiative actively offers workshops and seed exchanges to promote sustainable agriculture practices and preserve Hawaii’s agricultural heritage.
Indigenous Seedkeepers Network
www.sierraseeds.org/indigenous-seedkeepers-network
A not-for-profit collective of Indigenous individuals and communities across North America who aim to protect and maintain the traditional native seed varieties that have been handed down for generations. The network shares knowledge, resources, and seeds among its members and supports Indigenous farmers and communities.
KVANN (Norwegian Seed Savers)
www.kvann.no
A not-for-profit organization of passionate Norwegian seed-savers preserving and promoting the diversity of plant life in their country. They collect, grow, and distribute rare and endangered seeds to safeguard the biodiversity of crops and ensure their availability for future generations.
London Freedom Seed Bank
www.londonfreedomseedbank.org
A vibrant community of individuals in London who are passionate about cultivating and preserving open-pollinated seeds. Composed of gardeners and food growers from all walks of life, the network is committed to saving and storing these precious heirlooms while providing valuable skills and resources to others who share their mission.
Maadjas
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding Estonia’s genetic plant heritage. It makes invaluable efforts in gathering and stewarding various plant species and ensuring the protection of indigenous animal landraces, including sheep and hens. The association also organizes diverse educational events and publishes documents and information that is made accessible to the public as well as the organization’s members.
Maatiainen (Finnish Landrace Association)
www.maatiainen.fi
A Finnish association dedicated to preserving traditional plant varieties, cultural landscapes, and local breeds of domestic animal. It collects and keeps seeds and distributes them through frequent events. Many members actively collect seeds from old landrace plants, ensuring that these precious resources will be available for future generations.
Millennium Seed Bank
www.kew.org/science/collections-and-resources/research-facilities/millennium-seed-bank
Nestled in the beautiful Wakehurst Botanical Gardens in West Sussex, England, lies the fascinating Millennium Seed Bank, a seed treasure trove containing more than 2.4 billion seeds from 190 countries worldwide. These seeds are stored carefully in a large underground vault to guarantee their preservation for future generations.
National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation
Safeguards the genetic diversity of crops and plants, crucial to the agricultural industry and landscapes of the USA. The lab collects, stores, and researches these cultivars to guarantee future access to plant species that can thrive in different environments and resist pests and diseases.
Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans
www.npi-gno.org
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Louisiana’s diverse flora by educating the community, growers, and farmers about the importance of native plants, and promoting their growth.
Navdanya
www.navdanya.org
A non-government organization and movement co-founded in India by seed sovereignty advocate and human rights activist Vandana Shiva, centred on protecting biological and cultural diversity, focusing on earth-centrism, women’s empowerment, and farmer-led initiatives. Navdanya’s philosophy is rooted in Earth Democracy, which emphasizes the unity of all living beings and the absence of hierarchy based on species, culture, gender, race, or faith. “Navdanya” is a term that refers to the collective source of food security in India, represented by nine crops.
New York City Native Plant Conservation Initiative
www.nycgovparks.org/greening/greenbelt-native-plant-center/conservation-initiative
Urbanization has affected native plant species in New York City. Large populations with genetic diversity were present before the Big Apple was built, but severe habitat loss has led to decline. To address this, the New York City Native Plant Conservation Initiative is creating habitats for restoration and preservation.
Peliti
www.peliti.gr
A distinguished non-governmental organization that partners with various groups in Greece and other nations, along with the esteemed Greek National Seed Bank. Every April, it organizes a spectacular festival that is regarded as the world’s biggest seed swap. Peliti also operates a centre that facilitates training and assistance to people keen on sustainable agriculture and ecological preservation.
Pima County Seed Library
A wonderful resource for open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. Members can borrow seeds and replenish the stock when their plants have produced seed. The collection is ideal for locally adapted crops and promotes seed-saving practices. The library is dedicated to supporting gardeners of all skill levels with expert guidance on growing, harvesting, and saving seed.
Red de Semillas Española Resembrando e Intercambio
www.redsemillas.info
A not-for-profit organization that serves as a network for the preservation and exchange of heritage seed in Spain. The primary goal is to preserve peasant seed diversity and combat the continued loss of genetic resources in Spanish agriculture. The network comprises farmers, gardeners, and seed-savers who collaborate to maintain and improve the quality of local plant species.
Rete Semi Rurali
www.rsr.bio
An Italian network of agricultural organizations that aims to encourage sustainable peasant farming methods and preserve traditional Italian seed varieties. It provides breeding and training programmes for farmers and growers, and educational programmes for schools. The network also maintains a collection of diverse local heritage seed varieties.
SEED (Som fir Erhalten an d’Entwécklung vun der Diversitéit)
www.seed-net.lu
SEED is a not-for-profit organization that safeguards agrobiodiversity by gathering, conserving, and spreading local seed varieties. It aims to promote native and locally adapted cultivars to maintain and enhance agricultural and horticultural biodiversity in Luxembourg. It also undertakes political efforts to improve the legal status of traditional varieties and increase the economic value of heritage seeds in local markets.
Seed Library Network
www.seedlibraries.weebly.com/seed-library-network.html
An online platform designed to connect and facilitate communication among seed libraries and seed-savers. It allows users to share information on seed preservation, exchange seeds, and collaborate on seed-saving activities. Whether you are a seasoned seed-saver or just starting out, the Seed Library Network makes it easy to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations.
SeedChange
www.weseedchange.org
A not-for-profit organization that collaborates with small-scale farmers worldwide to produce nutritious and high-quality food. It promotes the use of local heritage seeds to empower farmers to grow crops that are suited to their environment, and helps them to save their seeds, preserve local biodiversity, and protect the environment.
Seeds in Common
www.seedsincommon.org
Promotes food security, seed diversity, and climate integrity in the Rocky Mountain West. Educates individuals on responsible seed stewardship and provides instruction on ethical grain production. By restoring the tradition of seed stewardship, the organization aims to create a sustainable, fairer food system.
Seeds of Diversity
www.seeds.ca
A Canadian organization that focuses on seed-saving. Members actively collect, steward, and safeguard rare seed varieties, as well as organizing hundreds of seed swaps across the country to promote seed diversity and food security. The organization is also dedicated to helping beginner seed-savers learn growing techniques for harvesting high-quality seeds.
Seedy Sunday
www.seedysunday.org
The UK’s largest and most established community seed swap, held annually on the first Sunday of February in Brighton and Hove.
Sierra Seeds
www.sierraseeds.org
Rowen White, a Mohawk farmer and Seed Keeper from the community of Akwesasne, founded Sierra Seeds. As an advocate for indigenous seed and food sovereignty, White has dedicated herself to promoting these causes. Sierra Seeds is a Native American food sovereignty alliance that offers transformative courses, facilitation, and retreats to help promote seed sovereignty and land rematriation. It aims to inspire and educate leaders to create a more beautiful and nourishing world.
Slow Food
www.slowfood.com
A renowned not-for-profit organization that aims to safeguard and honour local food customs and legacies while addressing the rapid and hectic pace of modern life, which has resulted in diminished interest in and awareness of the origin and impact of the food we consume. The organization has earned worldwide acclaim for its efforts towards enlightening people about the significance of making informed food decisions that improve our physical well-being and the planet.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
www.seedvault.no
A remarkable seed fortress in a remote, blizzardy, inhospitable location more than 1,300km (800 miles) inside the Arctic Circle. This impressive seed storage facility, opened by the Norwegian government in February 2008, is the world’s largest and most secure seed library and serves as a global repository for seeds from all corners of the Earth. The ice-cold, dry rock vaults ensure that the seeds remain safe and viable for long periods, even in the face of natural disaster and other unforeseen events that could otherwise wipe out entire plant populations.
Vivien Sansour – The Palestine Heirloom Seed Library
www.viviensansour.com
Vivien Sansour is a conservationist and advocate for the protection of biodiversity as both a cultural and a political act. She collaborates with a global network of farmers and advocates to promote seed conservation and agrobiodiversity. To achieve these goals, Sansour established the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library to preserve endangered Palestinian heritage varieties and collect stories from local farmers and growers to protect the seeds’ cultural and historical significance.
Vrihi
A non-governmental organization that operates the largest ancient rice seed bank in eastern India. It aims to promote the cultivation of heritage and local rice varieties while reviving the disappearing culture of community seed exchange. Stewards a seed bank with 1,440 rice landraces collected from Indigenous farmers in several countries.