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Lettuce, Drunken Woman - 205SS

Lettuce, Drunken Woman - 205SS

Details   Drunken Woman is an Italian heirloom lettuce that produces bright green leaves with ruffled edges in a deep bronze color.  It is a popular lettuce to grow for beginner gardeners because it is very easy to grow and slow to bolt.
Propagation: Best sown directly where to grow, in rows or scattered sections, should germinate in 7-14 days.

Botanical name   lactuca sativa
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2022
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   50 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50

Lettuce - Cooptown Italian - 182RG

Details   A heritage variety that was brought into NZ by a returning WW2 soldier and has been grown in and around Cooptown, Banks Peninsula since. A great tasty green leafy lettuce.
Botanical name   Lactuca sativa
Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2022
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Price per packet   $4.50
Lettuce - Red Oakleaf - 27RW

Lettuce - Red Oakleaf - 27RW

Details   Has burgundy red leaves and is a loose-leaf non hearting lettuce cultivar
Botanical name   Lactuca sativa
Grower name   Richard Watson
Contains at least   40
Price per packet   $4.50
Lettuce, Rocket - 187SS

Lettuce, Rocket - 187SS

Details   Rocket is a lettuce native to the Mediterranean region, Rocket is used as a leaf vegetable in salads, it is known for its fresh and peppery flavor.
Propagation: Sow seeds directly where to grow or in a tray of seed raising mix in a warm sunny location, should germinate in 7-14 days.

Botanical name   brassica vesicaria
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2021
Storage Info   Seed frozen stored
Contains at least   50 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
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Lettuce - Devils Ears - 28RW

Lettuce - Devils Ears - 28RW

Details   A lettuce with good heat tolerance, has a nutty texture and bitter-free flavour.
Botanical name   Lactuca sativa
Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
Lettuce, Freckles - 172SS

Lettuce, Freckles - 172SS

Details   A semi-cos heirloom variety with attractive light green leaves covered in red freckles. Lettuces are normally a cool weather crop that is easy to grow and grows quickly. Best sown directly where to grow, in rows or scattered sections, should germinate in 7-14 days.
Botanical name   lactuca sativa
Grower name   Sarah Smith
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2024
Contains at least   50 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Miners Lettuce - 163RG

Miners Lettuce - 163RG

Details   Miners lettuce has small heart-shaped leaves that have a mild but succulent taste. Rich in calcium and vitamin C, miners lettuce is ideal to add to salads. Scatter seed in out of the way corners where it can then maintain itself.
Botanical name   Claytonia perfoliata
Grower name   Rick Ginders
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2020
Storage Info   frozen stored
Contains at least   40 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50
Lettuce - Arabic - 24RW

Lettuce - Arabic - 24RW

Details   A very fast growing tall lettuce with long wide leaves, cos type.
Botanical name   Lactuca sativa
Contains at least   50 seeds
Grower name   Richard Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
Mustard Lettuce - 87RW

Mustard Lettuce - 87RW

Details   Has a distinct horseradish-mustard flavour. Regarded as one of the most nutritious green-leafy vegetables available around. Its lovely top greens have actually more vitamin A, carotenes, vitamin K, and flavonoid anti-oxidants than some of typical fruits and vegetables.
Botanical name   Brassica juncea
Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2020
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed stored in freezer
Price per packet   $4.50
Lettuce - Mescher - 25RW

Lettuce - Mescher - 25RW

Details   An heirloom that dates back to the 1700s in Austria A fast-hearting spring type, green with red-tinged leaves, and small very dense heads.

Botanical name   Lactuca sativa
Contains at least   40
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Celtuce - 242RW

Celtuce - 242RW

Details   Celtuce is a cultivar of lettuce grown primarily for its thick stem or its leaves. The stem is usually harvested at a length of around 15–20 cm and a diameter of around 3–4 cm. It is crisp, moist, and mildly flavored, and typically prepared by slicing and then stir frying with more strongly flavoured ingredients. Grow plants about 30cm apart
Botanical name   Lactuca sativa
Contains at least   50 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   Feb 2023
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Common companion plants to grow alongside your tomatoes

Common companion plants to grow alongside your tomatoes

Details   The following plants are often grown together to help increase pollination, distract and deter pests and generally improve the overall yield.

Borage, Chives, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Basil, Calendula, Carrots, Peppers, Sage, Onions, Garlic, Lettuce
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?
Aquilegia - Mixed colours - 56SPH

Aquilegia - Mixed colours - 56SPH

Details   Granny bonnet or Columbine
Popular perennial in the cottage garden, sending out large clusters of flowers between spring bulbs and summer perennials. A great cut flower, that self-sows easily. Ideal for attracting beneficial insects to the garden. Great space filler. Cold stratification needed for germination – seeds germinate easily. Seed pods contain alot of seeds.
This selection of seeds include a mixture of red and yellow, pink and yellow, dark and light purples, whites, pinks, dark red, purple and whites.
Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Nov 2023
Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hilltrop
Price per packet   $4.50

Hollyhock - Mixed colours - 248CMK

Details   Prominent Stems of brightly coloured double blooms flowering from late spring through summer. Can grow up to 2 metres high. Makes a lovely border plant. The seeds, roots, stem, leaf and flower can be used medicinally.
Botanical name   Alcea Rosea
Contains at least   30 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hilltrop
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Fennel - Bronze - 271CMK

Fennel - Bronze - 271CMK

Details   This is not a building fennel, the green/brown leaves are useful in soups,pickles,roasts,salads and many more culinary dishes. Easy to grow, great for the bee’s as well and looks pretty intermixed into a veggie garden or cottage garden setting
Botanical name   Foeniculum vulgare
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2023
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Contains at least   30 seeds
Price per packet   $4.50

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
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Kaka Beak Rosea - red - 159CMK

Kaka Beak Rosea - red - 159CMK

Details   This Kakabeak is the smaller out of the two red varieties available, grows to two meters, shape as desired, can also be grown in a container. Will tolerate some frost, prefers to grow in a sheltered area away from strong winds, in free draining soil. Keep an eye out for caterpillars while still young.
Botanical name   Clianthus Puniceus
Contains at least   30
Grower name   Carla McKnight
Price per packet   $4.50
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Sue and Nev Sinclair

Sue and Nev Sinclair

Sue - I have been a gardener since before marrying Nev, 40 years ago. I am not experimental but love to grow our own food using varieties that have proved to be suitable for our light alluvial soil and harsh climate in the Scargill Valley.

Nev - We have been using gardening techniques that we feel are supportive of nature and seek to further our understanding of the way in which forces and organisms interact. I am very observant of any novelty that becomes evident in the plants I am growing. I have bred a couple of unique lines of plants and am developing new strains of potatoes and apple varieties.

Open Source Seed Initiative

Open Source Seed Initiative

Details   Some of the varieties listed on our website were bred by members of the Sentinels Group.
Our goal was to develop strong and resilient varieties suited to New Zealand conditions .
They are registered OPEN SOURCE through the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI).
By purchasing these seed varieties in this collection, you are taking part in the "FREE THE SEED" movement!
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.
Alice Le Brun

Alice Le Brun

Details   Alice lives in the sunny Marlborough region

She was first introduced to seed saving by watching her mother collect seed each season for the next. As an adult she realized the value of the skills her mother had given her and continued the practice. Alice aims to preserve heritage and heirloom varieties as well as developing new strains.

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.
Red Giant - 2RW

Red Giant - 2RW

Details   Large strain of perennial celery producing red stalks and pinkish yellow blanched hearts, looks good in raw salads. Stronger tasting than green celery, good for soups and stews. Handles winter frosts better than standard celery varieties, though in heavy frost areas the stems are not eatable during these periods .  
Botanical name   Apium graveolens var. dulce
Contains at least   50 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2023
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Price per packet   $4.50

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
Leek - Portage - 94RW

Leek - Portage - 94RW

Details   A young and still evolving grex/landrace variety been bred by Richard Watson and another Canadian gardener who have been mixing the seed over the last few years, so its really a collection of 15 standard leeks varieties, some grow wide large stems while others can be very tall, this is because of the strong genetic diversity.
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 seeds
Date Of Seed Harvest   March 2022
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed stored in freezer
Price per packet   $4.50
Crownchestnut - 90aRW

Crownchestnut - 90aRW

Details   A cross between Whangaparoa Crown, Green Chestnut and an unknown very large crown-like pumpkin. This current generation of seed is 6 years into selection and stabilization. It is starting to become quite uniform in both colour, size and taste, though do expect some variation. The idea behind using these three varieties was, green Chestnut had wonderful flavour but thin flesh, Whangaparoa Crown had thick flesh but average to good flavour while the unknown had size. Richard thought combining all three could produce an outstanding new variety. Between 50 -60 plants are grown each year and about 140 fruit harvested. Seed from only the best flavoured, large and thick fleshed fruit are used for breeding over the successive growing seasons.

Botanical name   Cucurbits maxima
Contains at least   30
Date Of Seed Harvest   seed refreshed yearly
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Price per packet   $4.50
Richards mix- 129RW

Richards mix- 129RW

Details   In this mix of seed are varieties that mostly throw to the purple and purple/white fleshed, some white and red can be expected also.

Seed is best sown in autumn then transfer the tiny seedlings to pots and grow through winter in a frost free area, In areas that get frosts even green houses can freeze inside. Springtime plant out and allow each of these new varieties to grow till their tops die down late in the season, then its a matter of digging up each plant and assessing which plant has produced the best yield and for desirable shape and colours. The first year tubers are not always the largest but instead its normally when they are replanted in the second season that they will produce far greater yield. It's worth remembering that new TPS cultivars are virus free.
Red Rascal seed is the latest to be added to Richards potato gene pool

 

Botanical name   Solanum tuberosum
Contains at least   100
Grower name   Richard Watson
Storage Info   Seed stock refreshed yearly
Price per packet   $4.50
Maize - Billard - 122RW

Maize - Billard - 122RW

Details   Gifted to Richard from a long time gardener who wanted his strain of maize to carry on. It produces kennels larger than other varieties of maize so can be too large for some hand grinders. Plants grow to about 2m tall and generally produce one cob per plant, some plants can produce two but these cobs tend to be smaller.
Botanical name   Zea mays
Grower name   Richard-Paul
Contains at least   50
Price per packet   $4.50
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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
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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.
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