Our annual Heritage Seed Library Seed List will be launching in November – seed officer Rachel Crow shares some exciting new additions.

Alternative text should describe the visual content of the image. — Carrot ‘Beta III’ are among the new varieties in this year’s Seed List

There’s always a lot of anticipation around our Heritage Seed Library Seed List – but there’s even more excitement this year as we have several new acquisitions included in the Collection.

There will be at least 22 new varieties in the 2027 Seed List - with five older varieties that have not been included for more than 20 years. These golden oldies include ‘Prudens Purple’ tomato and turnip ‘Rave d' Auvergne Hâtive’.

Lovely heritage leaves 🔗

Six of these new seeds were discovered as part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project ‘Sowing Your Seeds’. The #SeedSearch project has not only uncovered new varieties of conventional veg, but also new species such as Red Orach and Golden Purslane. Red Orach is a member of the amaranth family, and has been cultivated for centuries. The arrowhead-shaped, red leaves are a great spinach-alternative.

Golden Purslane is another very old plant, mentioned by Gerard in Generall Historie of Plantes (aka Gerard’s Herbal) of 1597. It is a versatile species, producing mild-flavoured succulent leaves. Both orach and purslane are perfect for adding colour (and a talking point!) to salads.

Other new salad leaves and greens include lettuces ‘Borough Wonder’ and ‘Cheshunt Early Giant’. Both are ex-commercial varieties and equally impressive. The first is a butterhead lettuce dating back to at least 1945; the second was developed in 1935 specifically for winter sowing in the greenhouse or under cloches and is ready to harvest in February and March.

Mix and match seeds 🔗

We also have plenty of seed bundles, which can be bought together or individually. Our popular kale mix is back – this time with ‘Black Jack’, ‘Theyers’ and ‘Tall Green Curled’. And we have another salad mix too, with three lettuces including ‘Bunyards Matchless’, ‘Soulie’ and ‘Laitue Cracoviensis’ (also a new variety for this year), which can be picked by the leaf to create a lovely mixed salad. This year we've also put together a multi-coloured carrot mix with ‘Beta III’ (orange), ‘White Belgium’ and ‘John's Purple’.

With 162 varieties to choose from, and 107 certified organic varieties this year – we can’t wait to see what you think about our 2027 List!

To find out more about the Heritage Seed Library click here. If you are not a member, but would like to receive the Seed List, click here to join and support our conservation work.