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Butterbean - 22RW

Details   Many of the older gardeners will remember the dwarf butterbean which was very popular in the 60's and 70's. This strain has been grown for over 40 years by a long time home gardener before being given to Richard so as to preserve this heirloom
This bean produces a pale yellow/cream pod in colour that grows to about 15cm in length. The complete pod is eaten although the ends can be trimmed if desired and is wonderful added to salads when small.

Seed should be back in stock 2024
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Grower name   Richard Paul
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2024
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored bottom of freezer
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 9 in stock   Order
Hopi Yellow Bean - 257SS

Hopi Yellow Bean - 257SS

Details  

Hopi Yellow Beans are a high-yeilding tasty, early maturing, pole green bean that can be eaten as a fresh green bean or a dried light yellow/beige bean. From Hopi Indian, also called "grease beans".
Propagate: Plant Hopi yellow bean seeds in spring either inside in trays for later outside transplanting or outside where you wish to grow, watch for slugs and snails.

Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 7 in stock   Order
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
Watch Out of stock

Italian Valena Bean - 266SS

Details   Italian Valena Beans are a duel-purpose bean variety that can be used as a young green bean or dried bean. The pods are flat and green when young then turn tan with maroon streaks as they mature. The seeds are large, egg-shaped and tan with dark purple/brown streaks. Propagation: Italian Valena Bean seeds can either be placed in a seed raising tray for subsequent transplanting or plant in the garden where to grow.Take 7-14 days to germinate.
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 2 in stock   Order
Pean bean (white) - 44NS

Pean bean (white) - 44NS

Details   Peans are a great all rounder with many uses. The plants climb just like a runner bean or climbing french bean and produce flat pods similar to a large mangetout pea. The pods can be picked young and used whole as a french bean or left on the plants to mature and shelled like peas, or they can be left to mature fully and dry and then used as any other dried beans. New seasons seed will be available again as soon a possible
Botanical name   Vigna unguiculata unguiculata
Contains at least   30 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Grower name   Nev and Sue
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 5 in stock   Order

Bean Feast - dwarf - 40NS

Details   Flavourful, flat podded, white-seeded bean, one of the best flavoured dwarf bean cultivar that Nev saved from oblivion in 1974 and has grown ever since.
Botanical name   Phaseolus Vulgaris
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2023
Grower name   Nev&Sue Sinclair
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 4 in stock   Order

Tarahumara - Climbing Bean - 265SS

Details  

Tarahumara Climbing Beans are a very unusual deep purple bean, with a few grey and dark red types mixed in. A Climbing bean with dark lilac flowers and colourful pods, this bean hails from Mexico.

Propagate: Plant Tarahumara Climbing Bean seeds in spring either inside in trays for later outside transplanting or outside where you wish to grow, watch for slugs and snails.

Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Contains at least   30 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 6 in stock   Order
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
Watch Only 8 in stock   Order

Indian Hannah - 80RW

Details   Indian Hannah is also known as Lenape Cutshort or Delaware Cutshort, this climbing bean produce good yields
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2021
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   frozen stored
Price per packet   $4.50
Scarlet Runner - 43RG

Scarlet Runner - 43RG

Details   It's fast growing perennial climbing up to 3 metres in a season. Plants will produce a profusion of pretty red and white flowers, amidst a heavy cover of leaves, in colder climates it pays to cover root crown with mulch so as to stop frost penetrating the soil killing the crown .
Botanical name   Phaseolus coccineus
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2024
Storage Info   frozen stored
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 5 in stock   Order

Borlotti - 77NS

Details   A productive vigorous climber, Long vines that will grow to 6m tall if provided support, ideal as a drying bean. Borlotti are descendants from the original Cranberry beans that originated in Colombia
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2022
Grower name   Nev and Sue Sinclair
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 6 in stock   Order
Purple Snake - 234CMK

Purple Snake - 234CMK

Details   Purple snake bean is stringless, can grow to 70-80 cm long but best harvested at around 45cm long unless saving the seeds. can be eaten raw while young or steamed, stir fried or used in stews when more mature. slightly sweet flavour plant after frosts have passed, beans like the warmer weather so if still a bit chilly won’t do as well. Needs a support to grow up
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Chatreuse Green Snake - 244CMK

Chatreuse Green Snake - 244CMK

Details   The green snake bean can grow to 70-80cm long best harvested when the reach 45cm unless your saving seeds They are stringless can be eaten raw when young or more matured can be steamed or used in stews or stir fried grow on a support
Botanical name   Foeniculum valgare
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2023
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Out of stock
Major cook - 123RW

Major cook - 123RW

Details   Indian Hannah climbing bean Major Cook was also imported from North America by Mark Christensen, Research Director at the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust. Bred in the North of France by Major Cook and a Mr Luxton after 1954. At the time both men worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and both had a strong interest in gardening. Produces pretty purple-violet flowers followed by a huge crop of stringless beans with a very good flavour.
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   2017
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   frozen stored
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 9 in stock   Order

Kaiapoi Red dwarf - RS

Details   The history on this bean before been originally grown in Kaiapoi area since the 1870's unknown, but became widely grown throughout NZ over that time. Grows no taller that 30cm with long flat green pods.
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   30 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Grower name   Rachael Stott
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Out of stock

Romaine Climber - 98RG

Details   A heritage bean of unknown origin. Good healthy climber with long green stringless pods. A heavy cropper with good taste as a fresh bean and also an exceptional dried bean.
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   approx 30
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 4 in stock   Order
Crystal - 109RW

Crystal - 109RW

Details   This climbing bean was given to Richard 2017 under the name 'Crystal', grows to 2 -3 metres tall and produces a black seed.
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Contains at least   40
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Price per packet   $4.50
Cherokee Trail of Tears - 42RW

Cherokee Trail of Tears - 42RW

Details   Between 1838 and 1839 the Cherokee people of the United States were forced to march across the Smoky Mountains to Oklahoma. This winter death march is known as the Trail of Tears as over 4,000 people died making the trip. In 1977 a member of Seed Savers Exchange named Dr. John Wyche from Hugo, Oklahoma, USA donated seeds to there collection. It is thought that his Cherokee ancestors carried this heirloom bean with them on the Trail of Tears. Beans were domesticated in the Americas thousands of years ago and serve as a protein in the diet of humans and animals. Growing this bean takes about 55 days to produce a purple podded green bean and 90 days to dry beans. This is a vigorous climber is enjoyed very much as a fresh green bean and have found to be highly productive.
Botanical name   Phaseolus vulgaris
Grower name   Richard Watson
Contains at least   30
Price per packet   $4.50

Four Peaks Paddocks

Richard Tew's garden is located outside of Geraldine near Te Moana Gorge. Four Peaks Paddocks is a 2 hectare lifestyle block.  The orchard is interplanted with various fruit and vegetables, some of which produce seed saved for Sentinels group.
 
While any seed currently offered by Four Peaks Paddocks on the website is of named open pollinated varieties, future seed is intended to also come from landrace experiments.  Approximately 10 varieties each of both pumpkins (maxima) and broad beans are being allowed to freely cross in order to increase the available genetic diversity and allow selection of a wider variety of interesting traits.

Haricot dEspagne - 65NS

Details   This French heirloom is a very vigorous white runner bean that grows up to 3-4m Broad pods containing only 2-4 large seeds (15 by 30mm). Good eaten as a green bean as well as a dried bean. Similar bean to Greek Gigante in bean size

 

Botanical name   Phaseolus coccineus
Grower name   Nev and Sue
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   25 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Out of stock
Morning Glory - Crimson - 28RS

Morning Glory - Crimson - 28RS

Details   Great as a bean companion plant, grows stunning bright pink flowers in the mornings alongside runner beans are an incredible sight in the vege garden. Grows as a climber and so will need staking.
Contains at least   20
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Grower name   Rachael Stott
Price per packet   $4.50
Czar White - dwarf runner 39RW

Czar White - dwarf runner 39RW

Details   White flowered, white seeded bush form of the Scarlet Runner bean, grows to about 40cm tall. Like all dwarf beans they are frost tender. During long periods of wet weather it can be an idea to throw a cover over to shed the rain as beans close to the ground can rot.
Botanical name   Phaseolus coccineus
Contains at least   30 seeds
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Out of stock
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
Watch Only 3 in stock   Order
Why you should grow your own

Why you should grow your own

Details   If you already grow your own plants and vegetables you know how satisfying it is. Whether you enjoy the taste, smell, sight or knowledge of good healthy produce...

So maybe you're wondering if now is the time to start to grow a few for your self and see what all the fuss is about?
Pea - Greenfeast - 52RW

Pea - Greenfeast - 52RW

Details   Original old strain of shell out dwarf pea, mildew can be a problem if sown late summer. Some growing support is ideal for this variety.
Botanical name   Pisum sativum
Contains at least   40
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 8 in stock   Order
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
Watch Only 8 in stock   Order
Pohutuwawa - Dwarf Tahitian - 120CMK

Pohutuwawa - Dwarf Tahitian - 120CMK

Details   Grow in full sun or part shade in well drained soil or in a large pot. Occasionally prune to keep it a nice shape, produces beautiful flowers that last a long time. Attractive in courtyard’s patio’s or near the house, relatively frost hardy
Botanical name   Metrosideros tahitian
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2022
Price per packet   $4.50
Rudbeckia - dwarf - 275RS

Rudbeckia - dwarf - 275RS

Details   Rudbeckia dwarf normally grows to 50cm, a tall annual with bronze and gold flowers that attract the pollinators for months until the first frosts. They have been traditionally used as an immune supporting herb. Easily grown and drought tolerant. Sprinkle seed on surface of tray under shelter and plant out after last frosts.
Botanical name   Asteraceae
Contains at least   40
Date Of Seed Harvest   April 2023
Grower name   Rachael Stott
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 8 in stock   Order
Pea - Novella - 54RW

Pea - Novella - 54RW

Details   A hyper tendril shell out dwarf pea ,selected over the last 20 years to produce pods over a longer period, tendrils cling together holding the plant upright but some staking is needed .
Botanical name   Pisum sativum
Contains at least   40 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2020
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed stored in freezer
Price per packet   $4.50
Medbury Gardens

Medbury Gardens

Richard-Paul Watson started growing seed when he was given what was later to be renamed the Benhorn carrot.This was in the late 1980's and two years later he joined up with Kay Baxter who had only just set up Koanga Gardens, as a volunteer heirloom seed grower.

Through the 1990's he leased land in around Rangiora area which helped build his knowledge and understanding of the complexities of growing seed but it wasn't until he and his family bought 5.1 hectares in the Amuri basin that he was able to increase both the number and the volume of seed lines. In more resent years Richards interest has shifted more to developing landrace cultivars and working towards enabling clone grown cultivars to reproduce from true seed such as garlic and sweet potatoes.

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

Purau Gardens

Rick Gender's Purau Gardens is located in Purau by the Lyttleton Harbour. Well known as an historic early market garden for Christchurch with a great climate and rich volcanic soil. No chemicals or fertilisers are required for the production of fantastic fruit and vegetables and its relative isolation makes this a great area for specialist seed production and development.

Details   Purau Gardens is a 7 acre block of prime volcanic silt loam situated at the bottom of the Purau Valley in Lyttleton Harbour. The land was purchased by Ric and Aileen Ginders in 2005 and had been a campground for many years. Prior to that it was a market garden supplying early tomatoes, strawberries and other produce to Christchurch. Historic records show that this area has a long history of early vegetable production due to the area having a unique microclimate and very fertile soil. This also makes it a great area for specialist seed production  as it is relatively isolated. I am dedicated to producing good quality seed that thrives in our country and is a joy to grow and welcome any feedback.

Giant Alderman - 57RG

Details   A tall climber that can get as high as 3m, has large pods and peas, The Alderman pea variety is known to date back to 1893 and was a common site in Victorian kitchen gardens. Its long-cropping time made it ideal for using fresh and any excess crops were dried, stored and used later in the year for soups, stews and other dishes. The Americans have their own version of the Alderman variety which they call the Tall Telephone in honour of Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone.
Botanical name   Pisum sativum
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2022
Storage Info   Seed long term stored in freezer
Contains at least   40
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Only 6 in stock   Order
Sara Pepers-Hiltrop

Sara Pepers-Hiltrop

Hi, Im Sara. I live in Mosgiel, Dunedin with my husband Kris and our 2 children. I have always loved plants, flowers and gardens from a very young age. My photographic memory helps with names and working in a garden center, I have access to lots of interesting plants to add to my collection. (I have a bit of a plant problem lol!)

Gardening and growing is my life. This is a picture of me in my 3 year old garden which was rank, clumpy cocksfoot grass and heavy clay in March 2020 when we moved here. I've worked really hard to build up the soil and am a firm believer in the no dig and chop and drop methods, to mimic nature. So far I’ve scoped out about an acre of food forest with fruit trees, berries, root crops, perennials, natives, shrubs, bulbs and flower gardens, vegetable beds and tunnel houses. I'm looking forward to sharing what I have grown here and spreading the love of seeds and gardening.
Carla McKnight

Carla McKnight

Details   Carla was born in Holland, moved to NZ with her family at age 9 and has always worked in gardens from a young age.
At age 15 she had at least 40 plants in her room, some rather large.
Still keen on house plants, just a few more than 40 now, she believes a house without plants is an empty shell.
 
Now married to husband Paul, together they have three grown children with seven young grand kids, on an eleven acres in the Waikato with three Clydesdales, two miniature horses and a Quarter horse x, two cats and a dog.
 
Carla has spent most of her life working in gardens, has always had a keen interest in growing indoor and outside plants especially interested in native plantings. Now has big vegetable gardens/fruit trees and a small mostly native nursery keeping her busy. Wanting to make that little bit of difference for our environment and wildlife, the more people plant trees and grow their own produce the better.

Leek - Purau - 91RG

Details   Bred at Purau Gardens for many years and had adapted well to the coastal climate, this strain of leek may well suit warmer areas of NZ. Its a cross between three well known NZ varieties including Musselburgh. Suggested growing method is to aim for a long length white stem of up to 40cm, sow seed late winter/ early spring close enough together aiming for a spacing of 2cm apart, by mid summer the plants should be up to 30cm tall, dig them up trying not to damage the roots too much and place in a bucket with enough water in it to cover the roots. The soil these plants go into needs to be deeply dug over then using a rake or shovel handle poke it down into the soil as deep as 40cm, wriggle it around to make a shaft to which a leek plant is dropped down, then pour a small amount of water down, its just then a matter of insuring that the growth tip can grow up and out of the shaft
Botanical name   Allium porrum
Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2021
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Price per packet   $4.50
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