Seed Catalogue

IRISH SEED SAVERS
Association
Seed Catalogue

American Flag
Leek
Amish Pie
Pumpkin
Beta3 Carrot
Caro Rich
Tomato
Camomile Cosmos Cylindra
Beetroot
Galina Cherry
Tomato
Gelb Radish
Gene Bank
Marrow
Golden
Amaranth
Grandpa
Admires Lettuce
Honesty
Leprechaun
Courgette
Lily White
Sea Kale
Linseed
Frise Vert
Fonce Parsley
Lucullus
Chard
Mr. Jones
Broad Bean
Old Ambaster
Broad Bean

Seed Catalogue
2017
What We Do?
For thousands of years people all over the world have cultivated crops and saved
seed, creating a huge diversity of food and varieties. In the past 100 years with the
advent of industrial agriculture we have lost 75% of this biodiversity worldwide.
Here at Irish Seed Savers our main objective is to conserve as many of Ireland’s
native varieties of vegetables, grains and fruits to create a living bank of heritage
crops to share with the gardeners of today.
By choosing these seeds you are helping the preservation of biodiversity for future
generations. The Seeds are Open Pollinated Seeds.
Open Pollinated varieties unlike F1 hybrids, stay true to seed from one generation
to the next thus allowing you to save your own seeds. By using Open Pollinated
(OP) varieties you contribute to keeping food security in your own hands.
For more information visit: www.open-pollinated-seeds.org.uk
Irish Seed Savers is a registered charity CHY 13989 and relies on your purchases,
support and donations. www.irishseedsavers.ie
ISSA – Irish Seed Savers Association / S.G. – Seed Guardian / C.O. - Certified Organic
SEEDS: €2.95 per pack for vegetables or €3.25 for flowers.
Popular varieties may run out towards the end of the season.
We welcome any gardening news, tips and feedback from your own experiences
growing our seeds so that we can share it with others.
Inside Illustrations
from Thomas Etty
Irish Seed Savers Association are very grateful to Pobal, LEADER, the Department
of Agriculture, The Jackson Foundation, Irish Environmental Network, Clare County
Council, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Limerick County Council,
Patagonia & Croí Publishing for their very valued support of our organisation.

Contents
Alliaceae Family
Brassicaceae Family
Chenopodiaceae Family
Compositae Family
Cucurbitaceae Family
Gramineae Family
Leguminoseae Family
Liliaceae Family
Linaceae Family
Solanaceae Family
Umbelliferae Family
Salad Leaves & Greens
Herbs
Flowers
1-3
4-9
9-11
12-13
14-17
17...
18-24
24...
25...
25-30
31-33
33-34
35...
36-38
Have you ever thought about supporting our vital conservation work?
Irish Seed Savers Association was set up as a charity in 1991 to save Ireland’s heritage
and heirloom vegetable seeds, potatoes, grains and fruit trees from extinction.
We have over 600 varieties of organic, open pollinated heritage seeds in our purpose
built Seed Bank and our extensive heritage gardens house the native Apple Tree Collection
together with the country’s only public self-rooting orchard. We share our skills
and knowledge with thousands of children and adults through courses, camps and
outreach programmes.
The Irish Seed Savers Association is one of very few organisations in Ireland engaged in
this urgent work. Please join us by becoming a supporter. Your contribution will ensure
that this living legacy can be held in trust for future generations.

Alliaceae Family
Onions (Allium cepa)
Note: Growing onions from seed successfully
Sow in trays/modules under cover in February. Plant out seedlings approx 15cm apart
in April into really moist soil (water well if dry). Onions need to have plenty of green
leaf growth by solstice, when the change in daylight starts the process of swelling the
bulb. Harvest when tops have started to die back in August.
Buan (CO - ISSA)
This is a true native Irish onion bred by Barnie Crombie who was still doing onion
trials when he passed on in the 1980’s. However he had sent seed to the Russian and
English gene banks from which Irish Seed Savers Association received seed and we
have been growing and saving this unique variety since. It has performed extremely
well in the most adverse conditions for ‘good quality onions’, ie. an average Irish
summer. The name comes from old Irish, ‘Long life’, and it is indeed a really good
storage bulb with flavoursome white flesh and has won prizes in several shows.
James long keeping (CO - ISSA)
One of the most asked about crop varieties that we have. The RHS of 1819 states ‘Well
known sort raised by market gardener of the name James several years ago”. Dropped
from the national list in 1993 in Britain, this wonderful onion has good flavour, medium
size red/brown bulbs and as the name suggests is an excellent keeper. Amazing
to see its still popular after 200 years.
Stamme - Gold (CO - ISSA)
This old Norwegian variety selected for it’s short production time i.e. early maturity
in a long day environment. Slightly flattened golden/umber large bulbs. Good cropper.
Up to date (CO - SG)
This onion goes back 80 years. It was taken off the national variety register as it was
deemed to be one and the same as Bedford Champion, although there is in fact a
difference, the up to date onion has better resistance to the disease white rot.
A yellow skinned variety good all round and excellent for storage.
1

Overwintering Varieties
Note: These are best sown in late July/August in trays and planted out as seedlings
September/October. These onions produce really well in a cool tunnel, start harvesting
as fresh scallions in April, leaving remainder to mature into big bulbs by late June.
They can be grown outdoors but the crop will tend to be on the small side.It is easy to
be self sufficent in onions by growing both summer and overwintering varieties. Best
spacing 20X20cm.
Shinkinu (CO - ISSA)
A very popular overwintering onion from Japan, producing big golden bulbs that
store exceptionly well; up to a year
Sendai Ki Tamanegi (CO - ISSA)
Tamanegi is in fact the Japanese word for onion. This great variety came from the
open pollinated small seed company that Matteo visited in Japan. Grows lovely
large bulbs from a late summer sowing and also stores well.
2

Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum)
Note: Leeks need a long growing season, we usually sow them in boxes under cover
in February, ready for planting outdoors in their final bed by the end of April or early
May by which time the seedlings are quite sturdy. If you have a polytunnel, a side bed
can be used as a direct sown seedling bed. When transplanting use a dibber to create
a good long planting hole 15cm apart and make sure the soil is very moist, soak before
planting if dry.
Bleu de Solaize (CO - ISSA)
A very old French heirloom variety going back to the 19th
Century. Very hardy, holding well over the winter, medium
long shafts, sweet flavour, the blue/green leaves turn a
beautiful violet colour in very cold weather.
Verdonnet (CO - SG)
An old landrace variety improved and selected by a farmer.
Originally from Switzerland, with good large stalks, dark
green leaves and hardy through winter.
Bulgarian Giant (CO – ISSA)
A popular European heirloom that came to us from the big international seed swap
in Brussels. Renowned for having an extra long stem and being exceptionally tall,
nevertheless, a quick growing, early maturing variety. Light green leaves and good
flavour. Harvested in Autumn, it lasted through the winter here.
Monstrueux D’Elbeuf (CO- ISSA)
A traditional french cultivar grown in the alluvial planes of the Seine in Normandy.
It has short, chunky stems and lovely bright green foliage, good for Autumn harvest.
King Richard (CO-ISSA)
An early maturing leek which we found also overwinters here exceptionally well
[especially given the wettest winter in memory]. Noteworthy long shanks, white/
pale green with excellent flavour.
American Flag/Giant Musselburgh (CO-ISSA)
This variety is also known as ‘Scotch flag’, nothing to do with patriotic sentiment the
term flag is an old reference to plants with swordlike foliage like leeks. This variety
remains popular, going back as far as 1870. Broad, green leaves and good thick stalks
with mild and tender flavour.
3

Brassicaceae Family
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
Note: Sow spring cabbage end of July/ begining August for the following Spring in modules
and plant out transplants 4-6 weeks later 30-40cm apart. Spring Cabbages were
traditionally grown where early potatoes had been dug.
Spring Cabbage (CO – ISSA)
From our native Irish collection, these particular spring cabbages were grown and
collected in and around Cork city. Lush tender greens and small pointed heads all
through spring.Will produce even in hard winters.
Flat Dutch (common) Cabbage (CO - ISSA)
These were selections from the native Irish on farm collection of seed; often called
common cabbage. Good big, white/green heads, that stand well through the winter.
(Those that didn’t, we couldn’t save seed from!)
Irish Drumhead (CO-ISSA)
Beautiful dark green savoy
heads of medium size cabbage
that are winter hardy,
grown out from the native
Irish collection.
4

Cut-n-Come Cabbage (B. Oleracea var. acephala)
Crops that are primarily for winter use, we sow in early summer. This spreads both the
work and propagating space. Hardy crops like kale/swede can be sown outdoors. We
use module trays and transplant but you can also direct sow, though crops are then
more vulnerable to slugs.
Delaway Cabbage (CO - ISSA)
A popular native Irish cut and come cabbage that performs well even in difficult
growing conditions like waterlogged soil or exposed places. No pests or diseases, it
provides delicious purple/green tender crinkled wavy leaves that can be picked for
several months and go on producing more. Lovely addition to the winter garden.
Kale
Remember when kales start producing flowering shoots in spring these can be
pinched off and eaten like sprouting broccolli.
Uncle John’s (SG)
This variety was grown and saved by John Burke in Co. Cork for 50 years. It has
proved to be extremeley popular being a most delicious, tender and sweet kale, with
lovely bright green leaves that thrive all through the winter well into spring, showing
good resistance to black spot.
Red Russian (SG)
Very tender and mild, a pre 1885 heirloom variety. Oak type leaves can have a red
tinge and stems are a purplish red, with great flavour.
Siberian (CO - SG)
Compact plants with lots of tender curled green leaves that keep going all winter.
One of the hardiest kales, leaves sweetening after frost. Grown by Jason a Market
gardener, who said customers found it very tasty and he could barely keep up with
demand at the market.
Fodder Rape (B. rappa)
Emerald (CO - ISSA)
This is an Irish bred lush green fodder rape. Growing it out to rejuvenate old seed we
discovered that it is really quite delicious to eat, more tender than kale. Stood well
through the winter so its good for the pot and for the animals.
5

Winter Greens Mix (SG - ISSA)
A mix of different varieties of kale, leaf rape and mustard leaves that can be sown
often and used when small for baby leaf tangy salad leaves or thinned out and left to
mature for delicious, nutritious winter greens.
Brussels Sprouts (B. oleracea var. gemmifera)
Balbriggan (CO - ISSA)
Grown out on field scale this landrace really held its own on the windy waterlogged
hilltop. The plants that didn’t thrive were rogued out – so the overall hardiness and
vigour of the variety will hold true. These are mostly large plants with large sprouts,
holding through the winter – though as with most landraces there is some variation.
Irish Glacier (CO - ISSA)
Once a very popular variety especially with commercial growers, it was given to us
from the Wellsbourne gene bank. Barry Murphy who made the original on farm
collection of Irish brassicas, describes it as an our standing variety, with small tight
sprouts, good for freezing. Plants are very neat and uniform. It lives on as a parent
to the modern F1 variety Lunet, bred in Holland.
Cauliflower
(B. oleracea var. botytris)
Winter Roscoff (CO - ISSA)
This great cauliflower was collected in
Co. Dublin in 1982 from an elderly farmer
and produces magnificent curds. Sow
July/ August and plant out in September
for an early crop the following spring; can
also be grown in tunnels over winter for
an even earlier crop. To keep curds from
discolouring as they mature, cover up
with the upturned leaves and stump of a
cauliflower already harvested.
6

Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
Lily white (CO - ISSA)
This is a perennial crop so it
requires a permanent site. It
has distinctive grey/blue green
fleshy leaves and gives a beautiful
display of pure white flowers
in late spring. However, as a
food crop, it is the early shoots
(like asparagus) that are eaten
raw or cooked. They are best
when blanched so put a thick
layer of straw over them in Autumn/winter.
Don’t start cropping
until the second year. The
seeds come in a little roundish
fruit each containing only one
seed, which are sown whole.
Swede (Brassica napus)
Major Dunne (CO - ISSA)
This was a popular variety commonly grown in the north and given to us by John
McCormack of Co. Down. It grows quite upright, high on the surface thus not
prone to soil pests like eel worm. Good purple colour, sweet tasty flesh and hardy
through the winter. Many grew to an enormous size. If you prefer small Swedes,
delay the sowing and planting until the very end of June.
Williamsburger (CO - ISSA)
This is a selection made at Backweston Agricultural research station from the popular
old cultivar Williamsburger. Roots grow from moderate to large sized with
pale flesh and pleasant, mild flavour. Winter hardy.
York (CO - ISSA)
Sometimes known as York Purple Top, as it has just that, with sweet yellow flesh.
Small to medium in size and excellent winter keeper.
7

Western Perfection (CO - ISSA)
A popular variety grown in Cork and donated to us by Eddie Lucey. A round, medium
sized swede turnip with purple/magenta skin and delicious golden flesh. Grew
well despite the difficult weather and exposed position with very little disease noted.
Matured quickly from a late sowing at the end of June.
Old Jake (CO - ISSA)
This variety originally came from a ship-wreck on North Haven Island off the coast
of Maine. It has excellent flavour and hardiness, keeping well into spring. Very upright
in the ground with purple skin.
Six Mix (CO - ISSA)
We grew out all the six native Irish swede varieties together this year so we could do
botanical descriptor work on them. This seed is then a mix of all six varieties and
there may be some interesting surprises if the flowers were cross pollinated!
Tipperary Turnip (CO - SG)
A native cultivar of swede returned to us from the Wellesbourne gene bank. Market
Gardener Jason Horner, one of our seed guardians, grew this variety out for us. This
was one of his favourite crops as the Tipperary Turnip did not suffer from boron
deficiency on his land to the same degree as other varieties. On his commercial
vegetable plot the 3 rows took up very little space and made great forage for his bees
when flowering. Like other native Brassicas it is hardy and disease resistant. It has a
delicate, mellow, sweet flavour, still remembered by many of the locals. “The flesh,”
says Andrew Williams, “is not tough at all and keeps well through winter”.
Backweston selection (CO - ISSA)
This was the last of our native swede/turnips to be grown out for seed. It came with
no name only a number, but it was indeed originally a selection made at Backweston
station in the days when breeding work on vegetables was still being undertaken.
Lovely big sized purple-skinned roots of good flavour and hardiness as proven by
the extreme Winter.
Best of all (CO - ISSA)
A traditional swede/turnip, with purple and white skin growing to a good size.
Golden flesh very sweet and tasty, lasting well into spring before going woody, all
round ‘excellent’ as described by a supporter.
8

Turnip (Brassica rapa)
White Egg (CO - ISSA)
These are quick growing pure white, summer season turnips, mild-flavoured, pulled
and eaten straight away when small. We grew them very easily sown in peat blocks
and transplanted. Left in the ground they swell very rapidly but are quite delicious
roasted at this stage. Sow successionally from early spring to summer.
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
Daikon (CO – ISSA)
This is an oriental radish, grows upto 25cms long with dense and crunchy white
flesh and mild flavour.In Japan they are traditionally pickled but can also be used in
stir fry, soups or grated raw. Winter hardy, can be sown from Spring to Autumn for
overwintering.
Gelb (Yellow) (CO - ISSA)
The original seed came from the Arche Noah – the Austrian seed savers. This is a
round, yellow radish, with a delicious sweet flavour.
Chenopodiaceae Family
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
Robushka (CO- SG)
Good all round vigorous variety for eating fresh and storage. Round roots with
smooth skin, deep dark coloured flesh and nice fruity taste.
Early Wonder (CO -SG)
Introduced in !911, this old variety has semi globe roots and smooth dark red skin.
Deep red flesh sweet, juicy and tender. Also has lovely glossy leaves that make good
greens. Can be harvested over a long period.
9

Formanova/ Cylindra (CO - ISSA)
A wonderful heirloom from Denmark, famous for slicing with long cylindrical
roots. This tender and sweet variety with dark red flesh is also known as ‘Butter
Slicer’ or ‘Cooks Delight’ because of it’s wonderful texture.
Leaf Beet / Chard
Note: Chard has been cultivated for millenia, Aristotle mentions cultivating red chards
in ancient Greece. It is hard to imagine a garden without it especially for the lush
greens through Autumn and Winter. It is considered a spinach subsitute, but much
more robust, long lasting, versitile and easier to grow. Sown April- June either in modules
or direct, it will last to the following spring.Young leaves make a great addition to
salads while large leaves (along with the stems) can be boiled, stir fried or steamed,with
all the different colour stems giving you a range of nutritious phyto-nutrients.
Ladakh Beta Chard (SG)
The seeds of this variety were brought back from an international slow food gathering
in Turin, Italy.We weren’t initially sure whether it was going to be a leaf/chard
type or a fodder beetroot crop. When grown in our gardens it turned out to be a
vigorous, hardy crop with large light green leaves.
Charlotte (SG)
A variety that came to us via the big Brussels seed swap. It is a beautiful ruby chard,
many of the leaves having dark, maroon red colouring more like beetroot than
chard, so looks beautiful when its growing. Large delicious leaves are a bonus.
Orange Oriole (CO – ISSA)
This came to us from Baker Creek heirloom
seeds in America. A stunning all orange
stalk selection that will brighten up
the garden. Delicious leaves.
Magic rainbow (CO –ISSA)
This variety of chard is a wonderful
mix of coloured stems, pink, red, yellow,
white, orange, maroon and looks as
much at home in the ornamental border
as the vegetable beds. Will last through
the winter from a summer sowing.
10

Lucullus (CO - ISSA)
This variety of Italian heritage, was named for a Roman General ‘Lucius Luccullus’
renowned for his splendid banquets and vast gardens some 2000 yers ago. It was
introduced in 1914 and won the RHS award of garden merit. Quite hardy through
the winter, with heavily ‘crumpled’, bright, lush green leaves an white stalks that
can be almost like asparagus when cooked. Young flowering stalks in Spring can be
used like sprouting broccoli.
Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae)
Notes: Whilst spinach is found cultivated in many areas, it has never been found in its
wild state. It is thought to have come west form Persia with the Arabs, named ‘Prince
of Vegetables’, as far back as the 6th Century. Little wonder that today we find the
leaves rich in iron, iodine, carotene, folic acid and chlorophyl…
Early Mona (CO - ISSA)
Technically called ‘Fuhre Mona’ coming from the Austrian seed savers. Lush big
dark green leaves that keep going all winter from an Autumn sowing. Through
the following Spring it also self seeded [from the seed we missed harvesting] and
cropped well through the summer too.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quino)
Temuco (CO - ISSA)
Quinoa is surprisingly easy and trouble free crop. Direct sown in drills in April, it
grew up to 1.5m tall, harvested in early September. Quinoa is a small and sacred
food of the Inca people, also very nutritious, high in protein and essential amino
acids. The grain contains bitter saponins (a chemical defence against birds), which
needs to be washed out before use.
11

Compositae Family
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Red Rapids (CO - ISSA)
A vigorous and slow bolting loose leaf variety, with crimped red/green leaves. Seed
guardian Mona describes it as a delightful lettuce, that everyone loved.
Garnet oak leaf (CO - ISSA)
This is an outstanding variety bred by Alan Kapaler in Oregon for organic conditions.
It has proved to be a favourite, very hardy, ovewinters well (outside as well as
in a tunnel). A giant cut n come lettuce with lush, deep, red-lobed leaves that can be
picked all through Autumn, Winter and Spring.
Speckled (CO – ISSA)
A most beautiful lettuce coming from the menenite gardeners of Pennsylvania. Has
green leaves flecked with maroon, the centre heart blanches to a creamy yellow.
Brown Gold Ring (CO - ISSA)
A lettuce with heritage; it won an award of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society
in 1923. A Romaine/Cos variety with upright, compact head, dark green crunchy
leaves that have a slight golden bronze colouring. Especially beautiful when the sun
shines and the leaves shimmer. Can be grown both in Summer and over Winter.
Verde a Foglia Riccia (CO - ISSA)
A lovely, large, loose-curled, green, leafy lettuce, overwintered well in the tunnel.
Slightly bitter ‘edge’ to the flavour, but good in salad mix: very crunchy leaves. Donated
to us by supporter Steven Marsh.
Grandpa Admires (CO – ISSA)
Named after an American civil war veteran born in 1822. This variety grows well,
surviving poor weather and has large ,crisp juicy leaves, light green with a bronzered
tinge and a loose heart.
12

Forellenschluss (CO – ISSA)
An heirloom from Austria originally, the name means ‘speckled like a trout’. The
loose leaf heads have apple green leaves, speckled maroon/scarlet. It has lovely buttery
flavour, holds well in warm weather with good resistance to bolting.
Oreilles du diable (CO - ISSA)
The name translates as Ears of the Devil, but do not be put off this extremely old
heirloom variety. The leaves are triangular shaped, red burgundy in colour and delicious.
A unique and beautiful variety
Outredgeous (SG)
This is a wonderful lettuce bred by Wild Garden Seeds in Oregon. A large, loose- leaf
but upright cos type, head perfect for ‘cutting and coming again’. It is outrageously
red,a colourful addition to salad. Hardy overwinter, also good for spring sowing.
Valdor (CO - SG)
Very popular Winter lettuce, cold and wet hardy, with resistance to botrytis. Big
heads of lush green leaves. Excellent for cropping under cover but can be grown
outdoors too.
Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) (CO-ISSA)
This is a root vegetable that goes back to the middle
ages. Pulled in winter it has long tapering roots with
a distinct flavour, similar to oysters, delicious in a
vegetable stew. Left in the ground, the flower is the
ornamental gardeners best kept secret as all summer
long they bloom with brilliant, purple, large, daisy,
like-flowers. The seed heads are puff balls that shine
as golden orbs in sunshine.
13

Cucurbitaceae Family
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Wautoma (CO - ISSA)
Early and productive stripy green cucumber. Quick to set fruit and not bitter. It
can be used small for pickles or left to grow as a short slicing cucumber. Disease
resistant.
Haskoy (CO-ISSA)
This unusual variety comes from a village in the Pontic mountains of Turkey. The
cucumbers are small about 10cm long, green, some with slight white striping, perfect
for salad but also ideal size for pickling. The plants are quite compact and not as
tall and sprawling as many varieties.
Tamra (CO - ISSA)
Saved by cucumber breeder Robert Burns, this wonderful open pollinated plant
produces plenty of small sized, smooth skinned, crisp and delicious cucumbers.
Rare seed so try saving your own next season.
Suyo Long (CO – ISSA)
Amazing, hardy, Chinese cucumber. Grows exceptionally
long fruit up to 50-60cm long but retains
a lovely fresh flavour, crisp and tender flesh, which
does not get bitter. Definitely one for the cucumber
lover, keeps fruiting all summer. The skin is slightly
prickly, but easily rubbed smooth.
Miniature White (CO – ISSA)
Unusual, fat, little, white, yellow cucumbers, best
picked small (5-8cm long), perfect for salads. Very
soft skin without any bitterness and a distinctive
sweet, crunchy flesh. Very compact vines that start
to fruit early.
14

Courgettes, Squash & Pumpkins
Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)
Waltham (CO - ISSA)
Smooth light-tan fruits which are bottle shaped and exceptionally good keepers.
Flesh is fine-textured, rich, dry, solid and golden orange. Vigourous and dependable
between four and seven fruits per vine, each fruit has a very small seed count, the
rest is solid flesh.
Courgette (Cucurbita pepo)
Costata Romanesca (SG)
Popular Italian heirloom courgette. The dark green fruit are long (can reach up to
60cm and still remain tender) and are distinctively ridged. They taste great and look
very decorative when sliced and cooked. The plants are vigourous so give them plenty
of space, they will produce well through the whole season, outdoors as well as
under cover.
Syrian white (CO-SG)
This variety came from a Syrian refugee. The young courgettes are pale green, quite
small, very delicious and retain good flavour when mature. Fruits well outdoors too.
Genovese (SG)
Seed given to us by an Italian volunteer whose father has a small seed saving farm in
Tuscany. These courgettes started fruiting early, a more ‘traditional cylindrical green’
fruit than some of our other varieities. Outdoors they also grew well and continued
to produce small courgettes into October. Open growing habit for easy harvesting.
Gene Bank Marrow (CO – ISSA)
We had seven seeds in a packet from the German gene bank, the date 1999, the place
of origin, Sweden, the description ‘vegetable marrow’. The six that germinated grew
amazingly well, quickly covering an entire bed in the tunnel with their trailling
flavour as small courgette’s and also good as the more traditional marrow. Given
how vigourous they are I would say they’d be a good cropper outdoors.
15

Striata d’Italia (CO – ISSA)
Classic, Italian courgette, long alternating olive green and deep green distinctive
stripes becoming more prominent as fruits mature. Fresh flavour, smooth skin, flesh
that remains nice and firm when cooked. The plants remain as a fairly compact bush
through the growing season. Productive into late September.
Squash
Table Queen Acorn (CO - ISSA)
So called as the fruits are acorn shaped; dark green ribbed skin about 20cm long,
several per plant. However when you come to eat them its clear why the ‘Table
Queen’ part is so fitting because the deep orange, dry, thick flesh is so incredibly
sweet and delicious. The squash can be eaten fresh or stored over winter. It was
introduced in 1913 by Des Moines’s Iowa Seed Company and in a ‘bake off ’ in the
1930’s reigned supreme against three dozen other squashes.
Pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima)
Australian Blue (CO-ISSA)
Australia is the land that gave birth to the ‘ Blues’ ... at least in the world of pumpkins.
This one has indeed blue-green skin, fruits of varying size, round and ribbed
but slightly flattened at the top and bottom, good for storing. Dense brilliant orange
tasty flesh. Produced very well outdoors.
Anna Swartz Hubbard
(CO – ISSA)
The hubbard types are decribed
by Amy Godlmans as ‘squash with
personality’, however they are said
to be the “acme of perfection in
squashdom” This one was a family
heirloom producing big fruits
in hard shells, so good for winter
storage. The flesh is sweet, creamy,
deep orange and delicious. This variety
is recommended as being cool
tolerant.
16

Pink Banana (CO - ISSA)
We grew this variety several years ago and it stayed in my memory as one of the most
delicious creamy pumpkins I had ever eaten. So, it’s on the list again, seeds brought
back from the big Brussels Seed Exchange. The fruits are well..kind of banana
shaped, cylindrical rather than round, the skin turning pink-orange as they ripen.
The skin is quite thin, smooth and velvety which makes them very attractive (and
you don’t need to peel for roasting or soup making). Golden orange flesh is thick,
firm, sweet and ‘superbly fine tasting’. It actually melts in the mouth. Each plant can
produce several large fruits. A good keeper as it stores for up to six months. People
have been enjoying this one for over 100 years since it was first introduced in USA.
Uchiki / Red Kuri Squash (SG)
Originally from Japan, deep red, orange,
medium size fruit, with the shape of a spinning
top. Sweet and delicious orange flesh
with a distinct nutty flavour. Excellent for
storage through winter.
Gramineae Family
Sweet Corn (Zea Mays)
True Platinum (CO - ISSA)
This unusual sweetcorn has been bred by Alan Kapular, a plant breeder of what are
called ‘Tomorrows Heirlooms’ in Oregon U.S.A. This variety is an open pollinated
one actually bred out from a popular hybrid Platinum Sweet Lady. The corn is a pale
cream colour with a delicious buttery mild sweet flavour. The seed is almost translucent-
so a little different to usual varieties of sweetcorn.
17

Leguminoseae Family
Broad Bean (Vicia faba)
Martock (CO - ISSA)
This robust landrace bean has references as far back as 1293 in English manorial account
rolls. The flowers are those of broad beans with a lovely purple/maroon mottling.
The pods of beans are small but extremely numerous containing small brown
meaty delicious beans, use fresh or keep for drying.
Londonderry (CO - ISSA)
This came from the British Heritage Seed library, but presumably has Irish origins.
It grows well and is very hardy, the flowers have a lovely scent. Produces long pods
with four or five creamy seeds. Can be used for Autumn sowings.
White Windsor (CO – ISSA)
An early reference to the Windsor bean is found in the Reverend Gilbert White’s
‘Gardeners calendar’ where on March 27th, 1757 he records that he ‘planted four
rows of Windsor beans in the field garden just turned in from grass’. Its an English
heirloom of sturdy bushes around 1.2m tall producing an abundance of 10-12 cm
pods containing large tasty beans, up to 5 per pod. Although cold tolerant, it is recommended
for for spring sowings.
Oldambster (CO - ISSA)
A Dutch heritage variety from the province of Gronigen. It has unusual pure white
flowers which smell wonderful,medium pods packed with beans growing up the
whole stem, thus very productive. Good for both Autumn and Spring sowing.
Bacardi (CO - SG)
Productive compact variety that grows to about 1m high. It averages about five small
beans per pod, with a delicate flavour.
18

French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Note; It can be good to grow both a bush and climbing variety especially if you enjoy
beans fresh. Bush types tend to start producing beans a lot quicker than the climbers so
give an earlier crop but is then finished ,at which time the climbers have done all their
growing vines and will start cropping over a longer season. For dried beans to store (or
seed), leave the pods as long as possible on the plant until they are brown and parchment
like before picking.
Bush Varieties
Haricot Nain Beurre Aiguille (CO – ISSA)
The name literally means a dwarf needle bean, and indeed the beans on these compact
plants were beautifully long and thin, yellow wax type, very tender with delicious
flavour. The beans themselves are a beautiful bi-colour black/cream.
Climbing Varieties
Ita Ahern’s (CO - ISSA)
This variey came to us from Ita, a student of Drumcollogher Organic College.
Originally grown in a nursery in Norfolk it has been ‘handed down’ for over thirty
years. Very vigourous plant, growing quickly to the top of the tunnel. It impressed
me a few years ago when we grew it, for the length of the flat pods - up to 30cm, the
productivity and also for its taste - its a most tender and sweet tasting green bean
despite the size. Another plant that does well in cold winters.
Slovenian (CO - ISSA)
This variety has been waiting to be grown out since 1999, given to us by a supporter
bought in a local market in Slovenia. Despite its age the germination was good, the
developing beans picturesque with creamy-beige flowers and lovely yellow/green
flat pods.The best revelation was the taste test both my daughter and I concured , the
nicest bean ever, delicious creamy and melt in the mouth.
19

Mr Ferns (CO - SG)
This variety has greatly impressed our seed guardian, Market Gardener Jason
Horner, who told me it thrived and produced far better than his usual commercial
variety in a poor summer. Originally donated by a supporter as one of his favourites,
Mr Ferns has beautiful pink flowers and tender green beans that hold well.
Old Homestead (CO - ISSA)
Given to us by Jean Goldberry because it’s the ‘best bean she’s ever grown’. The variety
has a long history going back to the 1800’s when described in a garden journal as
‘unsurpassable’. Long stringless pods produced in clusters over an extended season,
delicious while young and good for freezing.
Carol Leenstra’s (CO - SG)
An Italian heirloom bean that grows well here, as Micheal Viney from Mayo says
“gave an oustanding crop in my tunnel, almost too vigorous’” The plants climb very
quickly producing an abundant crop of delicious flat green podded beans late season.
They are good for growing outdoors. A supporter in Kerry had great success
using them as dry storage beans.
Neckar Queen (SG)
An early producing variety which can tolerate unfavourable and variable weather
conditions. The pods are dark green, stringless, slightly flattened and very tasty –
good for freezing too.
Cherokee Trail of Tears (CO - ISSA)
This heirloom bean was preserved by Cherokee Indians as a staple food when forced
out of their homelands on the ‘trail of tears’ in 1838. Its a prolific variety with lovely
pink flowers and slim green pods that turn purple as they mature. Use the fresh
beans when they are approx. 15cm long or leave to dry on the plant as the small
black beans are good for storage. When the pods begin to turn purple, the plant
itself becomes most strikingly decorative.
Hunter (SG)
A classic variety of French Bean, heavy-yielding with a wide, flattened pod, they are
tender and reliable. Produce bright green beans that are almost stringless and can
grow to around 25cm long. Delicious flavour, they’re best picked young to enjoy at
their most tender.
20

Semi-Vining Beans
Note: These beans need a little support with small bamboos or rods.
Pinto (CO-ISSA)
The name ‘Pinto’ which means painted in Spanish, refers to the beans, which are
beige splashed with reddish-brown patches. Very popular in Mexico, they can be
eaten as green beans when growing, and when dried are considered like a super
food: high protein and helps the heart, lowering cholesterol levels.
Yin-Yang (CO - ISSA)
Semi-vining beans that produce many short pods approximately 10cm long, delicious
fresh but also great as dried beans. The beans have the characteristic yin yang
symbol - white, black with a small reverse dot.
Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
Note: Although runner beans have perfect flowers, they need to be ‘jiggled’ for pollination
to occur, especially if you are growing an early crop under cover when there is
little insect activity (this is why beans sometimes fail to develop on the early bracts of
flowers). This can be achieved by gently shaking the vines or directing a good stream of
water spray from a hose.
Prize Winner (CO - ISSA)
As the name implies this variety was renowned for
wining trophies at horticultural shows, due to its long
straight pods (up to 30cm) and excellent quality. It is
actually an improved European selection of the Scarlet
runner bean (the original runner bean brought
over from South America).
Czar (CO – ISSA)
A venerable old variety pre 1900 with white cream
flowers. It can be eaten as a green bean with good flavour
but comes into its own when dried. The white
bean makes an excellent substitute for butter beans.
21

Brecon Black (CO - ISSA)
After a visit to Seed Savers, Ursula Burke relised that she was in fact in possession of
an heirloom and donated seed to us. Her neighbour, Dr. Robert Davies came from
Brecon in South Wales in 1945, bringing a family runner bean. It has been grown
and saved by the family ever since. Strong plants producing long delicious green
beans, the seed of course is black.
Peas (Pisum sativum)
San Cristoforo (CO - ISSA)
A hardy pea that can be used for sowing in Autumn and overwintering in a cool
tunnel. Grows tall, up to 1.6m, so needs good support. Over a recent, cold Winter
we thought we had lost the crop but it came back well in the warmer days of Spring
and went on to fruit with great abundance from April to June; with good long pods
of eight to nine peas. Donated to us from Edwin Eustace who got the original seed
from ‘Seeds of Italy’.
Robinson (CO - ISSA)
A Scottish heritage variety with long slim pods packed full with up to 11 peas with
outstanding flavour, remaining sweet even when quite mature. It was once a very
popular variety with exhibitors with such ‘perfect’ pods. Grows quite tall, up to 1.5m
and is very productive.
Magnum Bonum (CO-ISSA)
This translates as Great good, and has been cultivated since 1872. ‘A willing giant
of a pea, brimming with health and large, luscious pods, peas with sweet, sweet flavour.’
Good staking needed as plants can grow high but well worth it.
Irish Preans (CO-ISSA)
This was returned to us from the British Heritage seed library, having come originally
from an Irish agricultural research station. Very tall growing up to 2m, flowers
are maroon/mauve which develop into large pods of enormous peas. They are in
fact more like a bean (hence the name prean), coming into their own when cooked
in soups and stews as they have good substance and nutrition. It may be easier to
grown them as a climbing bean although they are botanically a pea.
22

Purple Pod Capucijners (CO - ISSA)
The name comes from an order of monks in Holland, who have long been custodians
of diverse fruit and vegetables. This is a tall vigorous plant so needs good support.
It has beautiful pink/white flowers and deep purple pods. This is a good pea
for soup or drying for winter.
Josh Toombs Purple Pod (CO - ISSA)
This wonderful heirloom pea came to us from Josh Toombs in Co. Antrim. Josh got
in touch with Seed Savers when he was 79 years old because he wished to share this
pea with other gardeners. It had been preserved in his family for over a century. The
decorative pink and mauve/purple flowers produce a classic dark purple pod. Peas
are good eaten fresh when young and immature, or left to dry on the plant which
make an excellent storage pea.
Hurst Greenshaft (SG)
An exceptional pea, reliably producing heavy crops (9-11 peas per pod) with superb
sweet flavour. It has good mildew and fusarium wilt resistance. This variety won the
RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993 – and then reconfirmed in 2005.
Irish Green Pea (CO - SG)
One of our most popular varieties, repatriated
from the Vavilov Gene Bank. The plants grow
swiftly in our temperate climate, up to 2m tall, so
need good support. They produce an abundance
of delicious sweet round peas, described by many
as a wonderful crop. They have good mildew resistance
and are less prone to sprouting in the pod
in a wet summer.
Daniel O’Rourke (CO - ISSA)
Again an Irish heritage variety, originally saved
in the Russian gene bank. It grows quite tall, with
prolific small pods and sweet peas, best eaten while
young. Good disease resistance, the peas can also
be left to mature and dry off to be used as a soup
pea in winter.
23

Sugar Snap and Mangetout Varieties
Golden Sweet Mangetout (CO – ISSA)
A rare variety collected originally from a market in India. Tall vines that flower
with abundant purple/maroon blooms. The pods are a beautiflul lemon yellow, best
picked while quite flat and perfect for stir fry. Can be Autumn sown under cover.
Oregon Sugar Pod (CO - ISSA)
A vigorous and high yielding mangetout pea with sweet and crunchy pods. It was
developed in Oregon State University, an excellent variety for sowing in Autumn.
Grows upto 1.5m and needs support.
Liliaceae Family
Aspargus (Aspargus officinalis)
Cherbury (CO - ISSA)
This was sent in to us by Suzette Hughes
(of the Hughes family that donated us the
famous Delaway cabbage). The original
plants were grown in the Edgeworth gardens
near Dublin called Cherbury, where
her mother worked as a young girl. Suzette
has been growing them successfully
in her own garden for the last 40 years
and sent in seeds to us three years ago.
Normally asparagus are propagated vegetatively
but we had great success growing
it from the seeds. We tasted the shoots for
the first time this year, and they were delicious,
even raw. In a final twist of irony,
those aged gardens live on in the name
of the modern housing estate built there
‘Cherbury Gardens’.
24

Linaceae Family
Linseed/Flax (Linum usitatissimum)
Easy to grow, just sow direct in spring, and then from Summer to Autumn you will be
treated to delicate satiny sky blue flowers each day. Harvest the pods, full of seeds as
they dry out in Autumn. We thresh them using a rolling pin or bottle to crush pods and
separate from seed. Beware of bird competition.
Stormont Cirrus (CO-ISSA)
This is one variety of a whole collection of Irish grown flax/linseed that was stored
in the Vavilov Gene Bank of Russia. We have been growing and conserving it over
the past few years here at Capparoe. This one grew well, quite tall stalks and we were
able to harvest good amounts of seed, though I think it is probably one of the fibre
types used in linen production
Dr Stewarts (CO - ISSA)
The seed of this variety was donated to us in 1997 by a Dr. Stewart of Bective, Co.
Meath. It produces a much larger seed than ordinary varieties of linseed and is low
growing which makes it suitable to grow in more exposed locations. It yields very
well.
Solanaceae Family
Pepper - Sweet (Capsicum annum)
Sweet Pepper Lipstick (SG)
A dependable cropper of rich sweet fruits even in cool summers. The plants are
compact but productive (equal or better than many F1 hybrid types). They ripen to
a beautiful glossy deep red and are delicious both raw and cooked.
25

Pepper - Chilli
Notes: When processing the peppers, take care and wash your hands afterwards. The
seeds are very irritating so wear rubber gloves to remove and do not touch your face
or eyes.
Chilli Pepper Elfantenrussel (SG)
A European heirloom, productive and disease resistant. Quite tall plants with long
branches bearing huge quantities of fruit. The peppers are long and slender starting
as dark green they ripen to a brilliant yellow, good and hot and delicious.
Bolivian Hairy (Caspicum pubescens) (CO - ISSA)
It is called hairy because the leaves have a downy covering, not the fruits, which are
in fact a lovely hot chilli, that ripen from bright green to scarlet red in autumn.
Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
Red varieties
Aurora (CO - ISSA)
This bush comes from Siberia. It germinates at low temperatures and grows well in
cool conditions.
The large, slightly flattened fruit is red, juicy and ripens early. The bushes are quite
large and so benefit from some sort of support. A good tomato for growing outdoors.
Auld Sod (CO - ISSA - SG)
Reputed to be of Irish heritage, this robust little tomato bears many small, plum
shaped fruits. They are juicy and tangy while young, going slightly mealy as they
mature,excellent for cooking at this stage. I feel they are better grown as a bush
type,ie. don’t pich out the side shoots and performs quite well outdoors with some
resistance to blight.
Cabot Canadian (CO - SG)
Developed in Nova Scotia for cool maritime climes, this early fruiting bush tomato
produces lovely large round red fruit, mild in flavour but very juicy.
26

Stupice (CO - ISSA)
A Czech cordon variety highly recommended by many who have grown it over the
years being a very reliable and a good cropper ripening quite early with an abundance
of medium-sized round, tangy red fruits. Can crop well outdoors too.
Silver Fir Tree (CO - ISSA)
A Russian heirloom with particularly unique ferny like foliage. It is a bush variety
though we found that it spread over quite a large area and could benefit from some
staking. For a bush variety, its an amazing cropper with a long season, the first ripe
fruit arrived at the very end of July and were still coming into October. The tomatoes
are beefsteak like, very, very sweet, juicy and rich in flavour.
Sweet Aperitif (CO - ISSA)
With its multi branching habit, this red cherry tomato produces excellent yields of
delicious, bite sized tomatoes that are thin-skinned, shiny red cherry fruits. It has a
nice balanced flavour of sweet/acid ratio.
Doriena (CO - ISSA)
This cordon variety was bred by biodynamic growers in Germany. A rounded-oval
plum tomato, has good resistance to blight and fruit splitting. Yields well, with a
fruity flavour.
Mexican midget (CO - ISSA)
This tomato caught the attention of a lot of our visitors, described in a nutshell by one
of our supporters as ‘long crop of tiny, jewel like fruits.’ It has a very long and gangly
growth pattern up to the tunnel roof and on, a habit rooted in the wild ancestry of
vining tomatoes. However, it’s worth it. Sends out widely spaced trusses, so helps
reduce build up of fungal disease. Each truss
was loaded with sweet delicious red cherry tomatoes.
The fruit holds well over a long period
too, good for the market gardener, though as
savers of seed, we had to ‘wait’ a long time for
the fruit to over-ripen for seed. Trialled outdoors,
they were also very successful (we didn’t
pinch out the side shoots) and the plants didn’t
succumb to blight until well into autumn.
27

Red pear (CO - ISSA)
A cordon, which gives high yields of pear shaped cherry tomatoes, quite late to start
ripening, but once started just keeps on with truss after truss. It is a very old heirloom,
cultivated since the 1700’s. Lovely balanced flavour of tanginess and sweetness,
perfect for salads, the shape creating additional interest to any dish.
Lucky Leprechaun (CO - ISSA)
Sent in to us by a supporter but coming originally from an heirloom seed company
who described it as an ‘Irish heirloom dating back to the early 1900’s!’ It is a bush
tomato producing early yielding, sweet tasting, juicy, medium sized red fruits. Produced
very well even in very wet, cool conditions. Great name!
Pink varieties
Amish salad (CO - SG)
This is a very rare variety coming from the Amish people of Pennsylvania. A cordon,
the fruit is slightly plum shaped, medium sized, pink/red, giving many trusses full
of fruit. They have a lovely fresh sweet but tangy flavour. Excellent sliced for salads,
but good cooked too.
Brandywine (CO - SG)
This legendary potato leaf variety
is of Amish heritage. It was introduced
in 1889, named after the
Brandywine river in Pennsylvania.
The fruit is deep pink and can grow
large, in fact up to a kilo. The flavour
has been described as transcendental
or ‘tomato heaven’. Sweet, rich
and juicy it has acquired a reputation
as the flavour standard for tomatoes.
It is perfect for slicing raw
or its dense flesh and large tomatoes
make amazing sauces.
28

Yellow varieties
Broad Ripple Currant (CO - ISSA)
Sweet yellow fruit, more cherry-sized than currant. Vigorous cordon plants. Goes
back to the 1900’s when it was originally found growing through a crack in the pavement
in an American city. Very good variety for outdoor cultivation, showed excellent
blight resistance and gave a good sweet crop very late into the Autumn.
Galina Siberian Cherry (CO - ISSA)
This yellow cherry tomato was introduced from Siberia, well adapted to cool climes,
vigorous and early maturing. Many, many trusses of bright golden yellow fruit with
a complex sweet flavour that many find irresistable.
Russian Emerald Apple (CO - ISSA)
This variety is a real wonder, originally as the name suggests of Russian heritage,it
produces amazing fruit subtle shades of golden/yellow/green,with darker green
striping. They are beefstake like in shape and size and have a delcious tart flavour
with deep sweet overtones. Very, very juicy perfect for slicing fresh but as a fried or
grilled tomato they are sublime.
Perhaps the origion of the famous ‘Fried green tomato’!
Polen (CO - ISSA)
This seed from Poland was collected by the German gene-bank at Gatersleben. A
cordon variety that produces quantities of small gold, thin-skinned plum tomatoes,
still delicious even in November. Stephen Carrington in Wicklow was still harvesting
a few in January from a polytunnel. Has also fruited well outdoors in the past.
29

Orange varieties
Caro Rich (CO - ISSA)
Beautiful smooth orange fruit, medium to large size, with delicious and dense flesh
excellent for cooking. This tomato has an exceptionally high beta-caroteneand
vitamin A content (up to 10 times that of other tomatoes). A cordon type, high
yielding.
Purple/Black varieties
Gabacho Negro (CO – ISSA)
This unusual tomato came to us from a seed saving community in Portugal. The
name literally is ‘the black Guy’. The fruit an amazing dark red oval, with darker
shoulders ,medium sized and absolutely ideal for cooking delicious sauces. A cordon
type and healthy cropper too.
Cherokee Purple
(CO – ISSA)
An heirloom of Cherokee Indian origin. The vines, though cordons, are relatively
short. The fruits are unusual, large, beefstake like, up to 300g each. They ripen to a
dusky dark purple/ pink/ brown, with a sweet, rich, smokey flavour.
Cape Gooseberry Fruit (Physalis peruviana)
Giant (CO - ISSA)
These need some protection to get started, and produce much better under cover
though we grew some successfully outdoors this summer. They are perennial and
can grow up to 1.5m so may need support. During winter cover the root clump in a
mulch for protection. They have very lovely lantern flowers which develop to contain
edible round golden fruits, with a delicious tangy/sweet flavour either eaten raw
or stewed. Fruits contain high levels of vitamin C. Harvest the fruit as the husks turn
brown from August to November. Store the fruit in the husks.
30

Umbelliferae Family
Carrots (Daucus carota)
Note: Carrot seeds are covered in fine spines
(sometimes they look like hairy insects!), this can
make them quite difficult to clean. In commercial
seed-cleaning the spines are removed, but this is
not necessary.
Carrot Seed
Erstling Czech (CO – ISSA)
This carrot came out of the Czech gene bank, bred in the 1940s, a time of expert
plant breeding. These deliciously flavoursome and very juicy carrots grow to a medium
sized main crop.
Beta lll (CO – ISSA)
This variety has a very high carotene content, three times the norm. Medium sized
tapered roots with deep orange/red colour and no hard centre.
Kuttiger (SG)
This is an old type white carrot once very common on Europe’s farms, but now quite
scarce. The roots grow huge and have a much more earthy subtle flavour than orange
ones. I recall on a seed field trip, an interesting fact that white carrots (though
hardly anyone grows them) contain an active chemical ingredient that can help in
balancing children who have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). The roots grow to
such a size that they are useful as animal fodder too.
Johns Purple (CO - ISSA)
This variety has been selected from a bunch of ordinary orange carrots in the 1970s
by John Purves in Oxford. Over time he obtained a pure line of purple roots, quite
beautiful and unique, crisp and flavoursome.
31

Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa)
Parsnip is an ancient vegetable traces of which have been found in archeological digs
in prehistoric sites on the continent. By Roman times it was domesticated and much
enjoyed and probably in Ireland and Britian was a main stay winter food before the
arrival of the potato. In an ancient text of ‘Simple Medicine’ by Platerius it is recommended
‘raw or cooked, for those who have just recovered from illness or melancholy’.
Thus the perfect antidote to Winter blues.
It is best to sow fresh seed each year, parsnip is the most short lived of our seeds, the
germination rate drops to about 50% by the second year.
Bedford Monarch (CO - SG)
A rare, old variety of open-pollinated parsnip. Large broad roots with smooth white
skin, utterly delicious when roasted. Very good canker resistance. John, a local
grower, reported excellent tolerance to the cold – in the ‘big freeze’ of a few Winters
ago, after removing the soil on top with a pick-axe, he was able to pull perfectly clean
parsnip from the frozen ground with no effort – and delighted in their sweet, delicious
flavour.
Viceroy (CO - ISSA)
Another rare old variety coming originally from an heirloom collection from Seeds
by Size in England. Long tapering roots, sweet to eat and very hardy.
White Gem (SG)
A selection from the heirloom variety Offenham, this variety thrives in most soils
and has good resistance to canker and a very sweet flavour. The skin is very white,
roots are wedge shaped and medium long.
Celeriac (Apium graveleng)
Giant Prague (CO - ISSA)
A variety that goes back to 1871, this is a great winter vegetable with good sized,
globed roots and white flesh. Very tasty in soups and stews or even roasted, with that
distinctive ‘celery’ flavour.
32

Root Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Halas (CO - ISSA)
This is the continental parsley often known as Hamburg parsley. Rather than eating
the leaves, this parsley is grown for eating its root. The variety actually comes from
Croatia. It has broad shoulders with a conical shape and good flavour. Dig them in
Autumn/Winter and use them as you would parsnips, good roasted with other roots
and tubers.
Salad Leaves & Greens
The following crops are very well suited to either early Spring sowing or late Summer/
Autumn sowing, giving fresh nutritious greens for salad and cooking throughout the
year. If sown early Summer they tend to bolt (go to seed) very rapidly in response to the
long light days, so at least delay sowing until after the midsummer solstice. Most are
very cold tolerant but will grow more lush undercover in Winter.
Mustard Lettuce (CO - ISSA)
This one captured the interest of many visitors. Brilliant emerald green leaves with
curly, serrated-edges - most attractive. A great flavour with the distinct mustard hot
tang. It can be used in salads or cooked. Its very hardy and can be grown outdoors
all Winter as well as under cover, with a long growing season.
Ruby Streaks Mustard (CO - ISSA)
A lovely ornamental mustard leaf, with deeply serrated leaves, flashed deep with
purple-magenta veining. Quite a tender mild mustard flavour to liven up salads, and
good for steaming or stir frys.
Salad Rocket (Eruca sativa) (CO - ISSA)
A salad green cultivated since Roman times. The nutty spicy leaves give interesting
flavour to milder salad leaves. Best grown in cool conditions. The flowers are also
incredibly beautiful, delicate creamy stars with purple veins.
33

Wild Rocket (Eruca diplotaxis) (CO - ISSA)
This type has much smaller and deeply serrated leaves compared to the salad rocket
and is more pungent. It can grow as a perennial, which means it is slower growing
and over the Summer months it is far less prone to running to seed too soon, making
it a useful addition to the salad garden. When it does flower , they are bright
yellow.
Hayachinena Japanese Greens (Brassica rapa) (CO – ISSA)
Wonderful mustard greens with lush big, brilliant green leaves. A delicious flavour,
not too strong, especially nice steamed, and served with a lemon juice and soya
sauce dressing.
Pac Choi - Tai Sai (Brassica rapa) (CO-ISSA)
A fine sturdy heirloom variety, with long, lush deep green leaves, juicy white stems,
giving a fresh taste to salad and stir fry.
Corn Salad / Lambs Lettuce (Valerianella locusta) (CO - ISSA)
This hardy salad has been cultivated and eaten for hundreds of years. The small
green leaves have a soft texture and mild, gentle flavour, invaluable in Winter salads.
ALso known as field salad or mache.
Salad mix (CO - ISSA)
A mix of lush cut-n-come varieties of salads. Including lettuce, mustard leaves, pak
choi, rocket, endive etc.
De Vit Lambs Lettuce (CO - SG)
Easy to grow, vigorous variety for spring and autumn sowing, mildew resistant. Has
lovely glossy green leaves that are tender and delicate.
Shungiku / Chop Suey Greens (Garland Chrysanthemum) (CO - ISSA)
A surprise in the salad bowl – flavoursome serrated leaves that taste somewhere
between celery and carrots. Grew well over winter under cover and provided a spectacular
display of yellow and orange flowers in early summer that were a big hit with
the bees, hover-flies and other beneficial insects as well as visitors – delightful.
34

Herbs
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Sweet Mona’s (CO - ISSA)
Very easy to grow, sow in April, with lovely aromatic ferny leaves, used in salads,
pickles and sauces. The seeds are also used for flavouring (particularly in gherkins)
Lovely flowers, with clear lemon-yellow heads, attractive to any beneficial insects.
Sacred basil (CO - ISSA) (Ocimum sanctum)
This is a hardy cousin of the usual basil. It produces smaller, sweetly pungent leaves
and attracts hundreds of bees when in flower. It is easy to grow and produces well
outdoors as well as under cover. Can be used in salads, pestos, sauces and herb teas.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Note; Parsley can survive through our mild Winters outdoors but if you want to be sure
of a supply of those wonderfully nutritious leaves for soup and salad, dig up a couple
of plants at the end of Summer and replant undercover.Leave it growing a little longer
in Spring and you will easily be able to harvest some seed from the flowering umbrels.
Karen Hermes Flat Leaf (CO - ISSA)
An excellent parsley which was saved for many years by bio-dynamic grower Karen
Hermes. Stands well through the Winter so could be picked all year round.
Frise Vert Fonce (CO - ISSA)
This translates as ‘curled, dark green’ an accurate
description of this old French variety. The
tightly curled leaves are held clear of the ground
on long stalks for clean and easy harvest.
35

Flowers
A - Annual
P – Perennial B - Biennial
Calendula Marigold - A (CO - ISSA)
What garden would be complete without these brilliant, cheerful orange and yellowgold
flowers? Flower petals can be eaten, good for companion planting and lots of
medicinal uses. Self-seeds with abundance.
Poppy mix - A (CO - ISSA)
This is a mix of various shades of poppy, pink, magenta, mauve purple and some
with frilly petals or double blooms! Easy to grow, direct sow, self seed easily.
Love in the Mist (Nigella) – A (SG)
Dates back to English gardens of 1570. An easy to grow border flower with lovely,
wispy, feathery foliage and attractive flowers in mauve/blue/white shades. Interesting
seed heads that can be dried. Self seeds easily.
Honesty – B (CO – ISSA)
This plant has lovely purple flowers, giving a fine display from May to June, followed
by the flat silvery pods ideal for Winter floral arrangements. Height reaches 75cm.
Rose Campion – B (SG)
Easy to grow (slug resistant), tends towards a perennial in our climate. Forms a
lovely clump of lance shaped silvery grey downy leaves. Many small heads of showy,
bright magenta/pink flowers held on long stems well clear of the foliage. Dead head
to encourage flowering all through the summer.
French Marigold (Tagetes patula) Pinwheel metamorph- A (SG)
These make an absolutely stunning display in the garden given to us from Peace
Seeds in Oregon. Tall plants up to 1m high with the pungent smell of the tagetes
marigolds that can help to confuse pests. The flowers are brilliant bold deep red,
golden and bright yellow in dramatic stripes of each. Very good for companion
planting.
36

Sweet William – P (SG)
Early flowering, lovely fragrant mix of bright shades of pink and white. Long, firm
stems making it an ideal cut flower through early summer.
Austrian Saffron – A (CO - ISSA)
This makes a beautiful display of brilliant orange flowers, also known as Safflower.
Its seeds can be pressed to give an edible oil which is high in unsaturated fat and linoleic
acid, both of which are nutritionally important in the diet. It was grown to use
in dying fabrics (monk’s robes), but can also be dried for arrangements and makes
an attractive addition to the garden. Grows up to 1m high.
Sweet Pea – A (SG)
Old fashioned mix of colours, pink, white, mauve, purple – with that most lovely
evocative fragrance.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia) – A (SG)
Brilliant orange flowers that continue opening throughout the summer. Intense colour
that brings joy even on the greyest day. Lovely fine blue/green pinnate (feathery)
foliage. Best grown in full sun. Seeds develop in long slim pods that can be harvested
as they dry.
Woad (Isatis tinctoria) (CO - ISSA)
Woad has been used for centuries to obtain a blue dye, it is said a hundred weight
of leaves yields 10 lbs of dye and is quite an elaborate process to extract. However
it is easy to grow this ancient plant and, as Richard Mabey describes in one of his
books, worth it. An attractive plant with 1m high stems, long succulent leaves which
shine like stained glass, with inner blue foamy clusters and brilliant yellow flowers;
pendant fiddle shaped seeds’. The seeds may also turn blue/purple in wet weather.
Golden Amaranthus - A (CO - ISSA)
This is grown both as a vegetable, the young leaves can be eaten, and a grain seeds
though small, are a highly nutritious grain once a sacred food of the Aztec’s. It is
also a stunning flower with vibrant golden tassels that last most of the summer until
harvesting the grain in Autumn.
Tree lupins – P (CO - ISSA)
Vigorous woody shrub with lovely lupin like bright yellow flowers in early summer.
Beneficial in the garden as an insect attractant and also fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Prune hard in autumn/winter to keep them vigorous and healthy.
37

Corn Marigold -B (CO - ISSA)
Wildflower of fields & meadows with slightly pungent leaves and masses of small
bright yellow flowers, from early summer onward.
Wildflower Mix (CO - ISSA)
A mix of brightly coloured annual and biennial flowers which attract butterflies,
bees and other insects to your garden or orchard; flowers from April to September.
Included in the mix are marigolds, campion, foxgloves, oxeye daisy, poppies, ragged
robin, mullein, woad, linseed and aqualegia. Always sow in bare cultivated soil to
get established.
Sunflower - Tondo du Firenze - A (CO-ISSA)
Magnificent giant of a sunflower with huge bright yellow flower heads, that go on to
ripen into good quantities of very large seeds for eating.
38

Recommended Products
from Irish Seed Savers
online & on-site shop
Books & Growing Guides
Irish Seed Savers Growing Guide/Calendar
Organic Gardening - the natural no-dig way by Charles Dowding
The Heritage Apples of Ireland by Michael Hennerty
The New Complete book of Self-Sufficiency by John Seymour
Seeds of Hope by Clare O’Grady Walshe
Vegetables for the Irish Garden by Klaus Laitenberg
€4.30
€19.50
€30.00
€32.50
€5.00
€14.95
Feed Your Garden
Rockdust
Neudorff - Sluggo 800g slug pelettes
€18.95
€12.50
Green Manures:
Buckwheat
Summer Vetch
White Clover
Phacelia with Winter Vetch
Rye
€4.50
€4.50
€5.50
€4.50
€4.50

BIG Workshop Weekends
at Irish Seed Savers
Winter Pruning Workshop on Jan
14th
Spring Workshop Weekend in March 25th - 26th
Summer Workshop Weekend in June
Autumn Workshop Weekend in Sept
Winter Workshop Weekend in Nov
24th - 25th
16th - 17th
18th - 19th
Our Big Workshop Weekends offer a range of full-day courses to choose
from, such as Creating an Orchard, Tree Grafting, Fermentation,
Seaweed Foraging, Bush Craft, Herbal Remedy Making, Cider Making,
Mushroom Foraging, Bee Keeping and many more.
For bookings and information please go to:
www.irishseedsavers.ie or call - 061-921866 or email - info@irishseedsavers.ie
ALL SUPPORTERS GET 10% OFF ALL WORKSHOPS!

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Pinto Beans
Prize Winner
Runner Bean
Red Pear
Tomato
Robinson
Pea
Sacred Basil
Sendai Ki
winter onion
Shungiku Chop
Suy Greens
Spring
Cabbage
Sunnybrook
Pepper
Suyo Long
Cucumber
Sweet Pea
Tutsai
Pac Choi
True Platinium
Sweet Corn
Viceroy
Parsnip
Winter Roscoff
Cauliflower
Yin Yang
French Bean
French
Marigold
Calendula
Marigold
James Long
Keeping Onion
Early Russian
Cucumber

Irish Seed Savers
Growing Guide
An easy to use growing guide tells you
when best to sow, harvest, plant indoors,
sow in soil and plant out. We’ve tried to
cover all of the major families and shown
a few of the rare varieties of vegetable we
stock. This is a great Growing Guide for
the novice or expert gardener. €4.31
Available In-store & Online
www.irishseedsavers.ie
061-921866