In many countries around the world, small-scale farmers and growers select their favourite varieties and evaluate them collectively. A great example of this is the International Potato Centre in Peru where researchers work together with farmers, consumers and communities through citizen science initiatives to evaluate and conserve important heritage potato varieties.

We need more initiatives like this in the UK to ensure the vegetable varieties available to gardeners are resilient and culturally relevant to growing under small-scale conditions - and in a changing climate.

Our Resilient Greens project will collect and share knowledge collected from citizens around the UK growing heritage greens over a period of years. This will give us a better understanding of how heritage varieties can contribute to resilience in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Sign up to take part in the experiment here - Please join Garden Organic to take part in this experiment

Aim

We would like to evaluate several varieties of heritage kale in a range of locations to analyse their resilience over a number of growing seasons.

Timescale

May 2026 - April 2027

Space required

3 x 1 metre squaredplots (preferably with a small gap between each).

Materials needed

Small seed trays and compost.

Commitment – what is needed from you

Record key stages and assess yields and taste preferences of three kale varieties. Around 15 minutes per week.