ABOUT OUR SEEDS

Green Harvest specialises in seeds and plants that are the backbone of organic and permaculture systems. These include a wide range of open-pollinated, heirloom vegetable seeds, rare edibles, living mulches, green manures and insectary plants for beneficial insects.

ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED SEEDS

We are committed to safeguarding your health and that of the planet. That is why we are an organically certified seed wholesaler #4001W, with Australian Certified Organic, which allows us to pack and process seed and still maintain it’s organic certification and integrity. Our range consists of an ever-increasing percentage of organically certified seeds with ACO (BFA) and NASAA as well as non-organic seeds. All organic seeds are clearly marked = organically certified. Many of the non-organic seeds are grown by us or a network of small growers, using natural methods.

SEED QUALITY

We specialise in high quality seed with a guaranteed viability and purity and so we appreciate very much when gardeners let us if know they have an occasional problem with seed germination. This allows us to further improve our growing information and triggers additional germination testing to pinpoint any problems

OPEN POLLINATED SEEDS

Our seeds are nearly all open-pollinated and so are able to be grown again from seed you save yourself. Open-pollinated seeds are genetically diverse treasures that have been passed on from generation to generation. When you buy and plant open-pollinated seeds you are helping to protect this valuable resource for the future. The loss of genetic seed diversity facing us today could easily lead to a catastrophe far beyond our imagining. The Irish potato famine, which led to the death or displacement of two and a half million people in the 1840s, is an example of what can happen when farmers rely on only a few plant varieties.

"The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that 75% of genetic diversity in food crops was lost in the past century." From Fatal Harvest, Andrew Kimbrell, Editor

SEED SAVING

Saving open-pollinated (OP) seeds protects our global food heritage. If you wish to save your own seed you need to follow seed saving guidelines, a book such as The Seed Savers Handbook is an excellent reference. Growing open pollinated seeds and saving some for next year's crop is a practical and economical option for home gardeners.

HEIRLOOM SEEDS

Most of our open-pollinated seeds are also considered heirloom or heritage seed. These are herb, flower and vegetable varieties that were bred and handed down by generations of gardeners and farmers. These varieties have stood the test of time, gardeners have saved them year after year because they were recognised for their superior qualities such as great flavour, good yield or disease resistance.

F1 HYBRID SEED

Only a small number of our seeds are currently not open pollinated. These seeds are known as hybrids or F1 (short for F1 hybrid) and are clearly marked F1 on the website and in the catalogue eg Basil Nufar, Sweetcorn Gladiator and Squash Green Button. Hybrid varieties can occasionally offer an organic grower a particular advantage over an open-pollinated variety eg Basil Nufar is more resistant to basil fusarium wilt, one of the most devastating diseases for basil growers. Hybrid, organically certified seeds are acceptable under the National Organic Standard but growers would need to check with their individual certifying organisation before choosing these varieties. Hybrid seed is the result of cross-pollinating two or more different types of a variety to produce another. If seed is saved and planted from this hybrid plant, the germinated seed will generally not grow true-to-type.

GMO

Green Harvest will never sell genetically modified seeds, we have a host of concerns with this dangerous breeding technique.

SEED PACKING

Our seeds are packed in plain paper, 90 mm x 145 mm, re-sealable packets with an inner cliplock plastic bag that is also resealable. Our intention is to avoid as much as possible glossy paper and full-colour printing due to it's greater environmental impact. The paper packets can be composted. The inner cliplock bag helps greatly to maintain the seed's viability as it resists moisture far better than just a paper packet alone.

GROWING INFORMATION

Seed packets are printed with detailed growing information to help you with successful seed raising. In addition a free leaflet Successful Seed Raising Guide is provided with each seed purchase. Or you can read more

SEED TREATMENT

Please be aware that much of the seed retailed in Australia is chemically treated with fungicides. Green Harvest does not use chemical treatments, our organic solution to weevils is diatomaceous earth, the grey, powdery coating on some of our seeds.

OUR SEED GUARANTEE

We guarantee our seeds to the value of the purchase price. We are happy to replace the seeds, give you a credit or refund, whichever you prefer. Other than our guarantee to the extent of the purchase price Green Harvest gives no other warranty expressed or implied.

Please join us in conserving our genetic heritage while creating vibrant, living ecosystems in our backyards which will reward us with gardens that are rich and abundant, full of many forms of life.

DISCLAIMER:

No liability will be accepted by Green Harvest, its owners or employees as to the accuracy of any information. No responsibility will be taken for damage to property or persons due to information given about a product or technique. No responsibility will be taken for the loss of a crop or income due to information given about a product or technique.