The Heritage Seed Library’s lead horticulturist, Marcin Salnikow, shares how SylvaGrow peat-free compost is used to grow its National Collection of Heritage Vegetables
The Heritage Seed Library (HSL), based at Garden Organic, near Coventry, is a vital resource – and the only living library in the UK dedicated to conserving heritage and heirloom varieties of vegetable seeds.
In our 800-strong National Collection are landrace varieties adapted to specific growing conditions, heirloom seed varieties saved over generations and varieties no longer available to buy.
Protecting local, heritage seeds helps preserve history, knowledge, and skills, increases food and plant resilience through diversity and gets seed varieties back in use. Each year, we germinate more than 5,000 seeds across 170 varieties – and to do this, we need to use an awful lot of compost!
How we use SylvaGrow
We use SylvaGrow Organic for potting on. This year, that’s included heritage seedlings such as aubergine ‘New York Round Purple’, amaranth ‘Nigerian Green’ and lettuce ‘Northern Queen’.
We’re also growing more than 30 different tomatoes including ‘Abraham Lincoln’, ‘Baby Gazzi’, ‘Currant’, and ‘Purple Calabash’. As you can see by the photos, they are beautiful, sturdy plants.
Trusted source
SylvaGrow Organic compost is 100% peat free, which is particularly important for Garden Organic and the HSL. Melcourt share our ethos around the importance of preserving peatland and being as sustainable as possible in their processes.
We’re particularly grateful for the discounts and donations of compost, which allows us to continue our conservation mission. Melcourt donated 150 bags of compost to our Heritage Seed Library and organic demonstration garden at Ryton. And we really couldn’t grow without it.
We’ve been using Melcourt products for years with impressive results – and, going into our 50th anniversary year, we will continue to trust it.
Find tips and advice about organic gardening, and using peat free, at gardenorganic.org.uk, where you can also learn how to support the charity by becoming a member.
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