Evanton vegetable seed company going for growth across UK
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EASTER Ross-based vegetable seed company, Seeds of Scotland, is going for growth across the UK.
Finlay Keiller and Haley Shepherd started their Evanton growing site last spring after several years of growing across Scotland and trips to visit and work at companies such as the Seed Cooperative and Vital Seeds.
Over the course of the last year they have been busy building poltunnels, offices and growing seeds ready to be packed up for sale this spring. Haley said: “Since opening up our website we have been very happy to see that our seeds have been sent out to all over Scotland but in particular to the Highlands and Islands. Finlay having grown up in North Uist has been particularly happy to see how many customers we have had from the Western Isles!
“All of the seeds that we sell are open pollinated. Unlike F1 hybrids, open pollinated seeds can be saved and resown whilst maintaining their distinctive characteristics year on year. Open pollinated varieties have more genetic diversity within them and as well as increasing the biodiversity in your garden they are more suited to adapting to new growing conditions and changeable weather.”
The aim to grow and market Scottish heritage varieties and source and trial varieties that grow well in the Scottish climate. Varieties such as ‘Scotland Yellow’ tomato, ‘Musselburgh’ leeks and ‘Ailsa Craig’ onions all have a history of being grown in Scotland. Finlay said: “This year we will also start to grow the number of heritage grains we are growing which we hope to find a way of marketing in the future.
“If you know someone or if you yourself are growing any heritage, local or well adapted varieties, please send us an email to: info@seedsofscotland .com, we would be very interested to talk to you.”
Seeds of Scotland seeds can be bought at www.SeedsofScotland.com or at Highland Lilliums Garden Centre in Kiltarlity.
