Celebrate the Heritage Seed Library's 50th Anniversary
Why is our Heritage Seed Library so important? 🔗
Our living library is cultivated by people for people. Based at Garden Organic in Ryton, near Coventry, it holds the UK’s National Collection of Heritage Vegetables with 800-plus varieties of rare seed.
For five decades, the Heritage Seed Library has squirrelled away parcels of precious heritage and heirloom seeds to safeguard them for future generations. Unlike a traditional seed bank, they’re not kept on ice - but shared with growers and gardeners to grow again.
This is heritage that can fit in your hand. We’re inspired by the notion that someone, somewhere in the past, once decided to save a particular variety. Each seed conserves our past but also preserves important generic resources and biodiversity for future resilience.
The impact of the Heritage Seed Library’s conservation work cannot be underestimated. What started as a race against time to save at-risk seeds has become an even more urgent need to safeguard food security and genetic diversity, and buffer climate change.
The Heritage Seed Library Turns 50
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Each year we distribute more than 30,000 packets of Heritage Seed Library seed to ‘everyday’ growers, who grow them in their own back gardens, allotment and community spaces.
This approach directly connects growers with the biodiversity they’re conserving but also plays a serious scientific role in their conservation. By putting the seeds in the hands of growers, they’re given the chance to adapt to the changing climate.
Like to go further in supporting our work? Head to gardenorganic.org.uk/join to become a member.
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We must secure our Heritage Seed Library collection for the next 50 years and beyond. Future generations need to have access to these seeds, which may be resilient to future pest, disease and climate challenges.
From autumn 2025 to autumn 2026, we’re running a campaign of engagement activities – including a Seed Relay - to highlight the importance of the Heritage Seed Library, and of seed saving and sharing.
We would love it if you could mark the occasion in your growing space or garden. Here's some things to try:
1. Share your #SeedStories via our social media feeds @gardenorganicuk. We'd love to hear about your favourite heritage seeds, seeds that mean a lot to you or your family, and why you love sowing or sharing seeds.
2. Create a seed swap. Perhaps you'd like to create your own seed sharing activity at home or in your community? We'd love to hear about these, and we can plot your event on our HSL 50th map. Contact [email protected] if you'd like a donation box and leaflets for your seed swap.
3. Join us and support the work of our living library in its 50th year. The Heritage Seed Library only exists because of membership and donations. Our annual HSL Seed List 2026 is packed with special 50th varieties, so it's a great time to become a member. Head to gardenorganic.org.uk/join.
4. Make a donation so we can secure the library's future. Learn more at gardenorganic.org.uk/donate.
5. Support our #SeedSearch. If you live in the Midlands, consider taking part in our Sowing Your Seeds project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Find our more at gardenorganic.org.uk/seed-search.
Download your Heritage Hero poster!
Add this poster to your growing space or window to show you're supporting the HSL.
See where the HSL's 50th is being celebrated 🔗
Want to add your HSL 50th birthday activity to our map? Fill out the form below:
Join the Heritage Seed Library
Become a member of Garden Organic and the Heritage Seed Library before the Heritage Seed Library Seed List opens!