Heirloom Vegetable Seeds

What Are Heirloom Seeds?

Heirloom seeds are varieties that are unchanged for generations, not having been selectively bred or hybridised.

With people caring more about where their food comes from and how it's grown, heirloom seeds (like organic seeds) have enjoyed a resurgence in the past decade. At Mr Fothergill's, you'll find a wide range of heritage seeds from New Zealand. From bean seeds to beetroot seeds, Chantenay and Paris carrot seeds to heirloom tomatoes and radishes, there's something for every garden - and every season. Each seed variety undergoes strict germination testing so that we only deliver the best quality seeds, making growing your own veg easier than ever before.

When to Sow Heritage Seeds New Zealand

We stock heirloom seeds that you can sow at any time of year so that you can enjoy a year-round harvest. You can sow beans in early spring for a late summer harvest, or beetroot in summer through to mid-autumn; or, you can sow leeks, radishes and carrots in autumn and winter. Other vegetables like lettuce can sometimes be sown year-round, so a stock of their seeds is always handy.

How to Grow Heirloom Seeds

How you grow heirloom seeds depends on the variety, but some general rules apply. Use a good quality seed raising mix and sow seeds at a depth about twice the thickness of the seed. Water gently to settle them in and keep moist until they germinate. Start them indoors if they are particularly vulnerable to frost or summer heat.

Depending on what you're growing, your heirloom seedlings might prefer sun or shade, so transplant them to an appropriate spot when they're big enough to survive outside. Space them appropriately: the bigger the fruit, the more room it needs. Apply a light, natural fertiliser if needed. Water at the base rather than on the leaves to avoid encouraging mildew; heirloom seeds often don't have the resistance hybridised varieties do.

Check your seed packet or our blog for more specific instructions.

Shop Mr Fothergill's Heritage Seeds New Zealand

Made for gardeners and green thumbs across New Zealand, we stock a range of carefully selected heirloom seeds, container seeds, and companion planting seeds that couldn't be easier to grow at home-indoors or outdoors. You'll also find various flower seeds, fruit seeds, and gardening equipment that can help you get the job done. Buy Mr Fothergill's heirloom seeds at all good garden centres and major hardware stores or from our online store today!