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Kowhai dwarf - 145RW

Kowhai dwarf - 145RW

Details   Naturally grows in the east of the South Island Dwarf Kowhai is extremely hardy growing on dry north facing hills. When grown in damper soils it seems to grow quicker than in its natural habitat where it grows to about 2m tall. Propagation: Seed is best sown in Autumn after a chip has been removed from the side of the seed with something like a sharp knife or sandpaper this allows moisture to enter and help germination, outside of autumn chill seed in a fridge for two months. Sow seeds in a firm bed of seed raising mix and press in, cover with a light layer of mix.  Seeds should germinate in 14 days.
Botanical name   Sophora prostrata
Grower name   Richard Paul
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   20
Price per packet   $5.50
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Kowhai, Cook Strait - 32ASS

Kowhai, Cook Strait - 32ASS

Details   The Cook Strait Kowhai is one of eight species of Kowhai found in New Zealand. It grows along the shores of Cook Strait. A small dense tree that grows to 3 meters tall bearing leaves up to 100mm long.
Propagation: Seed is best sown in Autumn after a chip has been removed from the side of the seed with something like a sharp knife or sandpaper. This allows moisture to enter and help germination. Outside of autumn, chill seed in a fridge for two monthsSow seeds in a firm bed of seed raising mix and press in, cover with a light layer of mix. Seeds should germinate in 14 days.

Botanical name   Sophora molloyi
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   June 2022
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
Kowhai, North Island - 203SS

Kowhai, North Island - 203SS

Details   North Island Kowhai has larger more widely spaced leaves than the other seven species. Kowhai grows naturally in eastern North Island but will grow just as well in the South Island. Propagation - Seed is best sown in autumn to allow for stratification, or this can be done by placing in the fridge for 6 weeks, then a chip removed from the side of the seed with something like a steak knife, this allows moisture to enter helping germination.
Botanical name   sophora tetraptera
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Storage Info   seed renewed yearly
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
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Kowhai - South Island - 207RW

Kowhai - South Island - 207RW

Details   This South Island variety grows to 8 m which has smaller leaves that the North Island type. This seed is from the 80 year old tree seen in the photo 

Seed is best sown in autumn to allow for stratification, or this can be done by placing in the fridge for 6 weeks, then a chip removed from the side of the seed with something like a steak knife, this allows moisture to enter helping germination, .
Botanical name   Sophora microphylla
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   April 2021
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50

Pea - Southland Sno - 151RG

Details   Heirloom pea originating from Southland.  This pea grows a multi coloured flower and grows to about a meter tall. It does need support to grow up. Pick the whole seed pod before the seeds form and use in salads and stir fries.
Botanical name   Pisum sativum
Contains at least   40
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2021
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Storage Info   frozen stored
Price per packet   $4.50

Toi toi - South Island - 241RW

Details   The South Island Toi toi grows to around 1.5m with its flower stems up over 2m. Can pretty much grow in most soil types but doesn't like anywhere really dry.
Botanical name   Austroderia richardii
Contains at least   50 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Grower name   Richard-Paul;Watson
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Manuka - 64CMK

Manuka - 64CMK

Details   New Zealand tea tree, naive to New Zealand and South-East Australia. Shrub like tree good for regeneration of bare land, flowers white occasionally pink
Botanical name   Leptospermum scoparium
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2022
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   approx 100
Price per packet   $4.50
Scottish - 38RW

Scottish - 38RW

Details   This tall line of broad bean can withstand heavy winter frosts as low as -10deg here in the Amuri basin when plants are young, but equally handles the heat as well, will grow mostly unsupported up to 1.5m tall. In colder parts of the South Island and Inland North Island you dont want to sow broad beans between March and early May. If plants are over 10cm tall, heavy frosts will damage or kill them. Plants under this size handle frosts well.
Botanical name   Vicia faba
Contains at least   approx 30
Date Of Seed Harvest   seed regrown yearly
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
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Melon - Tigger - 237SPH

Details   This fruit is an orange/yellow with brilliant fire-red, zigzag stripes and white flesh. They have a lovely smell and a sweet, juicy cucumber like taste. The fruit is small - reaching up to 500g approx. This heirloom originally came from an Armenian market. I have been growing them in my southern tunnel house with success and high yields.
Botanical name   Cucumis melo
Contains at least   20
Date Of Seed Harvest   Autumn 2023
Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hiltrop
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Loquat - 95CMK

Loquat - 95CMK

Details   Loquats are native to the cooler hill regions of south-central China and will grow happily throughout New Zealand
Botanical name   Eriobotrya japonica
Contains at least   15
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Price per packet   $4.50
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Pea - Oregon Giant Sugar Pod - 138aRW

Details   The Oregon Sugar Pod Snow Pea produces a large crop of sweet sno peas on 1/2 - 1m tall vines. The pods are about 100 cm long. Like other sno peas they are generally resistant to powdery mildew.  Can take up to 68 days to mature and likes to be sown somewhere with full sun. Can be sown during winter in northern areas of NZ, but generally a spring/ summer sown crop in the south.
Botanical name   Pisum sativum
Grower name   Richard Watson
Date Of Seed Harvest   2018
Storage Info   Seed stored in freezer
Contains at least   40
Price per packet   $4.50
Spinach - Bower - 25RW

Spinach - Bower - 25RW

Details   Bower spinach is a scrambling short shrub that forms dense leafy patches of up to 14 m. The stems are long and trailing, often succulent and colored red or pink when young, maturing to dark green to brown-black and becoming woody. The leaves are alternate, clustered, and fleshy. The yellow flowers are solitary. Fruits are pink to dark red, succulent berries up to 8 mm long.

 

It is grown for edible leaves and can be used as food or as an ornamental plant for ground cover. As some of its names signify, it has similar flavor and texture properties to spinach and is cooked like spinach. Like spinach, it contains oxalates. Its medium to low levels of oxalates needs to be removed by blanching the leaves in hot water for one minute, then rinsing in cold water before cooking. It can be found as an invasive plant in North and South America and cultivated along the East Asian rim. It thrives in hot weather and is considered an heirloom vegetable. Few insects consume it, and even slugs and snails do not seem to feed on it.

The thick, irregularly-shaped seeds should be planted just after the last spring frost. Before planting, the seeds should be soaked for 12 hours in cold water or 3 hours in warm water. Seeds should be planted 5 to 10 mm deep and spaced 15 to 30 cm apart. The seedlings will emerge in 10 to 20 days, and they will continue to produce greens through the summer.



Botanical name   Tetragonia implexicoma
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2014
Grower name   Richard Paul Watson
Storage Info   picked fresh each year
Price per packet   $4.50
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Ipomoea batatas - Kamote

Details  
Update 31/8/2023. First seedling up from South Island grown seed seen in the attached photo.



Known in South America where is originates as Camote, it is also known here in NZ as as Kumara or Sweet Potato in North America. This widely grown tuber crop is normally grown each year from cuttings. Camote grown from seed rather than a clone is globally rare. The government funded DSIR back in the 70's or 80's carried out a short trial but for some reason was stopped, this may have been the only Ipomoea batatas seed had grown till 2017 when Richard-Paul was gifted some seed from a passionate home gardener/breeder in the US, he then set about starting a long term breeding program with the idea crossing it with a local Kumara.
Six new cultivars were germinated from the first shipment of seed some were able to produce flowers but no seed, this following three seasons were the same till that generation of cultivars died out because they had been cloned six times.
2020 a second attempt was make where fresh seed was sent again from the US breeder and a small number of new cultivars started, but this time cutting were shared with a gardener in the North Island who managed a successful crossing and a small amount of seed was produced. This seed was gifted back and a second crop of 28 seeds was grown 2022-23 form 7 new cultivars. Plans are 2023-24 the 28 seeds will be germinated where its hopes are for at least 5 new cultivars and again more seed, maybe even enough to be made available via our website.... stay tuned by hitting the 'watch' tab

Grower name   Richard-Paul;Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
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salsify - 60RS

salsify - 60RS

Details   Salsify is a common biennial wildflower, native to southeast Europe and north Africa, today in its a plant that's cultivated for its ornamental flower and edible root. The plant grows to around 1.2 m in height.
Salsify is grown similarly to that as other root vegetables such as parsnip and carrots, sow spring time and harvest roots during winter.
Botanical name   Tragopogon porrifolius
Grower name   Rachael Stott
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2024
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   50
Price per packet   $4.50
Red Matipo, Mapou - 184SS

Red Matipo, Mapou - 184SS

Details   Red Matipo is a species native to the North, South and Stewart Island of New Zealand, it grows into a small shrub or tree to a height of 4-6 meters. It can be used as a revegetation species or in an understory position. Propagation: Sow Red Matipo seeds directly onto a firm bed of seed raising mix and press well in. Cover with a light layer of mix.  Seedlings usually appear in two to three months depending on temperature.
Botanical name   myrsine australis
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2022
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $5.50
Radish - Black Spanish 'round' - 62RW

Radish - Black Spanish 'round' - 62RW

Details   A large black skin, white flesh, winter radish, though this radish carries a recessive gene that produces a white skin as well. They can get to dinner plate size while still remaining mild tasting. Recommended not to sow before March in the South Island and April in the north as they can bolt to flower before growing its swollen stem.
Botanical name   Raphanus sativus
Grower name   Richard Watson
Date Of Seed Harvest   2017
Storage Info   frozen stored
Contains at least   50 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Perennial Sweet pea - 126RW

Perennial Sweet pea - 126RW

Details   Originally native to Southern Europe, this perennial long-lived plant is best where it can remain. Perennial Sweet Peas are not noticeably fragrant. Comes in two shades of colours.
Botanical name   Lathyrus latifolius
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   seed refreshed yearly
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Price per packet   $4.50
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Onion - Mammoth improved - 231RW

Onion - Mammoth improved - 231RW

Details   A super sized onion which is still sweet considering its size. This variety is one grown in the UK for competitions and can grow as heavy as 5 kgs. Seed was imported from the UK 2019 and one generation has been grown by Richard. It is a tasty onion but not a great keeper.

Sow seed early spring in the South Island, North Islanders may be able to sow autumn through winter as well, feedback from customers would be appreciated

https://www.mammothonion.co.uk/product/seeds-plants/onion-family/onion/mammoth-improved-onion/

Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2022
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
Calenduleae - orange - 41RS

Calenduleae - orange - 41RS

Details   Also known as African daisy, South African daisy and Cape daisy, it comes in a range of different colours. Plants prefer a warm and sunny position and rich soil, although they can  tolerate poorer soils as well as drought.
Botanical name   Dimorphotheca Ecklonis
Grower name   Rachael Stott
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2024
Storage Info   seed in flower bag
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
El Beano -138NS

El Beano -138NS

Details   This broad bean has pure white flowers. The pods enclose beans that are sweet, and which remain green once cooked and are nice eaten raw. Nev selected this cultivar from a random mutation over 35 years ago that he noticed had produced pure white flowers and so over the following years carried on selecting for that trait. he much preferred the flavour and colour.  In colder parts of the South Island and Inland North Island you don't want to sow broad beans between March and and early May. Best sown in spring to early summer.

Open Source Seed Initiative Pledge: You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict others’ use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this Pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.

Botanical name   Vicia Faba
Grower name   Nev&Sue Sinclair
Date Of Seed Harvest   Nov 2022
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
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Elne - 235SPH

Details   Landrace southern grown Celery Elne, Originally from Kings seeds, Has been on the same spot for 2 years before going to seed and has been a strong producer - I originally planted it for rabbit food and just cut and let regrow before it finally went to seed.  Has lovely flavour and strong stems.
Botanical name   Apium graveolens
Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hiltrop
Date Of Seed Harvest   autumn 2023
Storage Info   frozen stored
Contains at least   50
Price per packet   $4.50
Parsley - Italian or flat leaf - 72RW

Parsley - Italian or flat leaf - 72RW

Details   This seed is harvested from wild plants that grow just above the high tide mark south of Kaikoura.
Botanical name   Petroselinum crispum
Contains at least   approx 50
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
Calenduleae - Yellow - 41RW

Calenduleae - Yellow - 41RW

Details  

Also known as African daisy, South African daisy and Cape daisy, it comes in a range of different colours. Plants prefer a warm and sunny position and rich soil, although they can  tolerate poorer soils as well as drought.

Botanical name   Dimorphotheca Ecklonis
Contains at least   30
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Price per packet   $4.50
Onion - Medbury Red Longkeeper - 35RW

Onion - Medbury Red Longkeeper - 35RW

Details   History knowledge of this onion is limited, was originally given to koanga by a ex-breeder from Yates, unsure it came with a name. The selection work carried out by Richard on this large red onion strain involves, 1, aiming to achieve the longest growing season possible by sowing seed late winter and harvesting when tops start to fall over late summer early autumn. 2, the best of that seasons onions are stored in autumn, some of these onion will grow shoots through winter meaning they are discarded, its the last to start growing a green shoot in early spring are then planted out for flowering/seed. 3, selecting on the shape of onion - Richard is trying to move away from flatter type shape to more of a round or even taller upward torpedo shape. the idea is that less of the onion is sitting on the soil surface.


Sow seed early spring in the South Island, North Islanders may be able to sow autumn through winter as well, feedback from customers would be appreciated


Botanical name   Allium cepa
Grower name   Richard Paul
Date Of Seed Harvest   2021
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   50 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Pak Choi, Kwang Moon - 188SS

Pak Choi, Kwang Moon - 188SS

Details   Pak Choi or Bok Choy is a Chinese cabbage native to Hong Kong and Southern China. Ideal in stir-fries, soups or salads. Pak Choi is a cool weather crop that is easy to grow. It grows quickly and can be grown during winter in areas that see little or no frosts, doesn't do so well in summer as it tends to bolt. 
Propagation: Pak Choi Seeds are best sown directly where to grow, in rows or scattered sections, should germinate in 7-14 days.

Botanical name   brassica campestris
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2022
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   40
Price per packet   $4.50
Red Seeded broad - 150RG

Red Seeded broad - 150RG

Details   Rick received this bean from the Southern Seed Exchange many years ago and has become his favorite Broad bean for his own personal supply.
Botanical name   Vicia Faba
Contains at least   30
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
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Rachael Stott

Rachael Stott

Rachael started seed saving at the young age of six and this has developed into a focus with my passion of gardening. 
 
She lives on a quarter acre in South Canterbury with my husband and two adult daughters and pets. They moved to there block of land in the spring of 2022 and had an amazing vegetable garden over summer. The family set about planting many different brambles along with large number of fruit trees. They were amazed by what can be grown on such a small area.
 
Rachael is also a hobbyist beekeeper and loves planting a wide range of flowers for her bees. She is strongly passionate about how best to nurture the soil through gardening using only organic methods.
Epazote - 154RW

Epazote - 154RW

Details   Epazote, once cultivated on a large scale as a medicinal herb, is now grown in few herb gardens. A roadside weed in much of North America and central and southern Europe, its herbal uses are barely recognized today outside its native Mexico and South America.
Various native peoples in the American and Mexican West today drink epazote tea or eat the plant to facilitate childbirth and ease painful menstruation as well as to expel worms and relieve gastrointestinal disorders (some of which might be brought on by the worms). Epazote leaves can be poulticed on arthritic joints, athlete’s foot, and insect bites.
Botanical name   Dysphania ambrosioides
Contains at least   100
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Grandus 115RW

Grandus 115RW

Details   Dates back to the 1870's England, needs support to grow up, has large pods.
Plant autumn for northern areas, South Island sow spring and summer.
Grows up to 2 metres
Botanical name   Pisum sativum
Contains at least   40
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2023
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   frozen stored
Price per packet   $4.50
Spring Onion - 61ASS

Spring Onion - 61ASS

Details   Spring onions are also known as green onions, scallions or sibies. They tend to have a milder taste than most other onions, they can be eaten either raw in salads or cooked. Sow in Spring through to early Autumn in the South Island or year around in Northern areas. Propagation - Sow seeds directly where to grow in a line or in a tray of seed raising mix in a warm sunny location, should germinate in 7-14 days.

Botanical name   allium fistulosum
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   Dec 2023
Contains at least   50 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Long Island Cheese Squash - 245CMK

Long Island Cheese Squash - 245CMK

Details   Thought to be one of the oldest domesticated squash types, Long Island Cheese is known for its smooth, string less flesh and rich flavour
Botanical name   Cucurbita pepo
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Contains at least   20
Price per packet   $4.50
Toi toi - North Island - 264CMK

Toi toi - North Island - 264CMK

Details   This North Island toi toi is a tough and very useful plant can grow in most conditions from in the garden to stream edged, has beautiful upright plumes which can reach up to 3.5 meters, this toi toi is medium in size, flowers are also useful as decoration’s
Botanical name   Austroderia fulvida
Contains at least   50 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   April 2023
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $5.50
Flax harakeke - 218RW

Flax harakeke - 218RW

Details  

 

Indigenous to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. Grows in a wide range of locations from lowland and coastal areas to mountain forest, will grow happily in very dry spots also. Seed needs stratification either by sowing in autumn in areas that get frosts, or 6 weeks in the fridge in frost free areas. 

Flax will cross pollinate with other cultivars, Richard has only one cultivar so this seed will grow true to type.

Botanical name   Phormium tenax
Grower name   Richard Paul
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2024
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   50
Price per packet   $4.50
Ailsa Craig - 14RG

Ailsa Craig - 14RG

Details   An old variety, very popular in the UK originating from Scotland in 1908. Named after the island.Ailsa Craig near the mouth of the Clyde river. A vigorous grower with good disease resistance, medium size and good flavour.
Botanical name   Solanum lycopersicum
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Contains at least   20
Price per packet   $4.50