Hi, I’m Helene!

I’m the founder of The Heritage Garden Seed Company and a self-confessed seed addict!

Starting this company was a dream of mine for a few years before I took the leap. I have a passion for growing my own food and living more sustainably, but there’s just something about seeds that I find really exciting. The potential in a tiny seed never ceases to amaze me, and I’m still like a child at Christmas when I see the first little sprouts of seedlings! It’s a feeling that I don’t think will ever get old for me.

As we mark four years of The Heritage Garden Seed Company, I feel as strongly as ever about the need to preserve and promote heritage seed types (also known as heirloom seeds). Modern seed laws are becoming so strict and extremely costly for growers to adhere to, and I worry that many seed varieties will be lost forever because growers can’t afford to maintain them if there is no demand.

I also really wanted to change the way we buy our seeds by making the whole process more interesting and engaging. If you buy seeds in a shop, you’re often looking at rows upon rows of seeds without really knowing much about them or getting any real inspiration to grow them, other than perhaps a picture on the packet.

I decided that what we needed was a story that would make the process more interesting and fun!

So, my strapline “Seeds with a Story” was born.

Heritage seeds have a story to tell – they’re often passed down through generations or have been grown in a certain locality, becoming part of local culture. I wanted to share those stories with you… sometimes there’s even some myth and magic for added fun!

We delve into the history of our seeds, not just the variety, but the history of the species as a whole. I find it fascinating that lettuce seeds weren’t always grown for the leaves, as we do today, but for the oil in the seeds. That people used to grow oregano as somewhere for the fairies to sleep, or that Larkspur was often planted by the front door to ward off evil spirits.

Finally, it is important to me that we encourage more people to grow without chemicals. Organic methods have always been a cornerstone of my personal growing philosophy. It is my firm belief that organic growing systems play a pivotal role in the fight against climate change, as they promote and support biodiversity and soil health. However, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to move away from formal organic certification for the business and will be transitioning away starting in September 2025. The landscape of organic certification has changed, and the costs and complexities of certification have made it impossible for a small company like ours to continue with it. That said, our commitment to the principles of organic farming is unwavering. We have the same belief about soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability that we’ve always had, and this will not change.

I really hope you enjoy our seeds and our stories, and I hope they give you inspiration to grow your own with a deeper appreciation.

Happy Sowing!
Helene