Our vehicle for conservation is a Seed Library which currently contains about 700 accessions, mostly open-pollinated vegetables. Details of these are available in an inventory text file. We store seed for the medium term at about 5% moisture and 4°C. Germination is tested regularly and seed stocks regenerated whenever necessary. Clonal material (Alliums) is grown every year and this, along with seeds, is supplied to a number of volunteer Seed Guardians to maintain particular lines.

Each year we also grow about 100 varieties specifically to bulk up seed for distribution to members of the Heritage Seed Library. We send out a catalogue in December, from which members may select up to six varieties. The catalogue contents change from year to year so we also publish Seed Guardian Guidelines that offer simple instructions for saving seed of different crops. A Seed Swap section allows informal exchange of seeds to take place independently of HDRA.

The Heritage Seed Library publishes a quarterly newsletter called Seed News that features news and articles on a wide variety of issues to do with plant (and occassionally animal) genetic resources. The newsletter includes a Lost & Found section, and we endeavour to trace varieties for anyone who asks. We have also in the past compiled and published The Fruit & Veg Finder, a listing of sources and descriptions for fruit and vegetable varieties commercially available in the UK. The last edition was published in 1995.