High Profile Support for Heritage Veg

Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don took a moment to applaud the invaluable work of the Heritage Seed Library during a recent episode of the BBC programme. In his own words, he expressed, "The work of the Heritage Seed Library over the years has been heroic and really important in conserving varieties and rare seeds that otherwise would have long disappeared."

Sharing the sentiment, fellow TV presenter on BBC Two's Gardener's World, Sue Kent, added her perspective, stating, "I have been a member of the Heritage Seed Library for more than 30 years. I appreciate the history and diversity of heritage seed varieties."

Established over 47 years ago, the Heritage Seed Library serves as a guardian for around 800 heritage vegetable varieties. Each December, gardening enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the release of the Seed List, where the White Belgium carrot holds a special place as a favourite.

Excitingly, this year's list features newcomers such as the Wroxton Brussels Sprout and the Brochette White Flowered pea, among the 21 varieties thriving in the Heritage Garden at Raymond Blanc's prestigious country house hotel and restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.

Raymond Blanc OBE, the culinary maestro behind Le Manoir, elaborated on the importance of the Heritage Seed Library, stating, "At Le Manoir, we must have varieties of fruit and vegetables that provide extraordinary colors, textures, and flavors for our plate. This is what makes the Heritage Seed Library so wonderful."

He continued, emphasising the Library's role in preserving heirloom and heritage varieties with unique qualities, beautiful colours, and complex flavours that might otherwise be lost. Blanc expressed his gratitude, noting, "Now, they are protected, so future generations may share them in their gardens and at their dinner tables."

Catrina Fenton, the head of Garden Organic's Heritage Seed Library, is elated to have the backing of these gardening celebrities. She emphasises the broader significance, saying, "Saving and growing threatened seeds is an accessible and impactful way that we can all take action to protect our precious cultivated biodiversity."

Fenton concludes with a forward-looking perspective, noting that the old varieties saved by the library may hold the key to addressing future growing and food supply challenges. Anecdotally, several heritage varieties are believed to possess characteristics such as drought and pest resistance, increasingly vital in the face of our changing climate.