How We Produce Our Heirloom Seeds

This space is certified organic and we are committed to growing our seeds using practices that work with nature rather than against it. Organic gardening is essentially an holistic emphasis on a healthy ecosystem whereby everything is planned to perpetuate and improve. 

“Organic gardening is more than simply avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. It is about observing nature’s processes and emulating them in your garden as best you can. And the most important way to do that is to understand the makeup of your soil and to give it what it needs. If anything could be called a ‘rule’ in organic gardening, it’s this: feed the soil, not the plant.”   Therese Ciesinski

As much as possible, the ecosystem is left alone to do its job just as in nature. Biodiversity and ecosystems are created by planting flowers to attract pollinators, soil is not turned or disturbed so as to restore and encourage soil biology and fungal chains and all organic waste onsite is composted and used back in the garden. Nasturtiums grow amongst the plants to suppress weeds and marigolds stabilise soil and attract pollinators. Calendulas are also used to attract beneficial insects but also for the benefits they bring to life in the soil, as calendula roots form active relationships with soil fungi, encouraging mycelium and mycorrhizae. All these plantings result in a stunning display that produces both seed and beauty.

The system created results in a low maintenance, low input garden with all the diversity, resilience and beauty of a natural system. Small birds, such as wrens and finches, predatory insects such as lady bugs and lacewings abound, creating an intricate food web that helps curb any pest infestations. 

Zeolite is used to assist the soil, holding up to 40% of its dry weight in water, releasing as needed. Zeolite dramatically improves soils and acts as a permanent amendment and conditioner as it doesn't break down and is not consumed by microbes. Using Zeolite cuts fertilizer and water costs by holding the nutrients and water in the root zone until the plant is ready to utilize them, thereby requiring less fertilizer and water. 

Growing our parent plants in this way results in improved immune systems, robust health and vigour and seeds produced are of the highest quality. Creating this type of ecosystem not only sustains current crops but is self-regulating and the growing conditions continually improve for the benefit of all plants to come.