You shouldn't transplant old trees - but old seeds should. We will show you nine seed companies where you will also find well-established varieties.
Old varieties are on the rise again: More and more gardeners are relying on old traditional varieties instead of conventional high-performance breeds. No wonder, after all, the old varieties have numerous advantages. Although they often do not bear as much as the conventional varieties, they are usually more robust, less susceptible to disease and also exude their very own charm. In addition, with an old variety you contribute to the preservation of the diversity of varieties. But where can you get seeds from these old treasures, some of which have become rare? We will show you nine seed companies from whom you can still order the well-tried varieties.
9. Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark is probably one of the best-known seed suppliers for old varieties. In keeping with its namesake, Noah's Arch has dedicated itself to the preservation of seeds and diversity of varieties. In fact, seeds from over 5,500 different crop varieties have been collected from Noah's Ark since 1980. But their tasks include not only the preservation of rare useful plants, but also the sale of old varieties. Hobby gardeners can choose from hundreds of plant varieties from A for aubergine to Z for zucchini.
8. VEN e.V. - Association for the Preservation of Crop Diversity
There are over 2,200 varieties in the seed list of the Association for the Preservation of Crop Diversity, VEN for short, which was founded 25 years ago. The main concern of this association is to preserve the variety of open-pollinated varieties of useful plants not only in gene banks, but above all in cultivation. For this reason, seed is made available to interested gardeners by volunteer members of the association, so-called preservers, who are dedicated to the preservation and breeding of endangered and rare seed-firm varieties. The seed is passed on to VEN e.V. either through an exchange or for a small contribution to costs, entry as a member is also possible.
7. Variety of Potatoes
As the name suggests, the main concern of Potato Diversity is the preservation of as many old potato varieties as possible. The Ellenberg family, who have devoted themselves to the recultivation of forgotten varieties for a good 20 years, now grow over 100 historical varieties and sell them to interested gardeners. The selection is truly impressive: from blue to white flesh, with brown, pink or red skin or very classic varieties - they offer the right potato for every potato lover.
6. Purple Tomato/Melanie Grabner's Tomato Find
Here, too, the name says it all - Melanie Grabner's passion is the preservation of rare tomatoes. Over 300 varieties with suitable seeds are offered on their Tomato Find page. The highlight here: When searching, you can sort directly according to the right location or the intended use of the tomatoes. But Melanie doesn't just sell tomato seeds on her site. Also seeds for aubergines, chillies, cucumbers, peppers and much more. So everyone can find the right variety for their garden.
5. Flail
Dreschflegel GbR is an association of people who practice organic seed propagation and breeding on 17 different gardeners' farms. Since 1990 they have devoted themselves to old types of vegetables, but also types of grain, dye plants, flowers and much more. The Dreschflegel GbR is also politically involved and offers seminars and training courses on the subject of plant diversity and seeds. Of course, Dreschflegel GbR also sells numerous old varieties of various plant genera as seeds - so it's worth browsing through.
4. Rühlemann´s
Rühlemann's nursery has been selling a large selection of seeds for 26 years. The nursery offers almost 1300 species and varieties, many of which are tried and tested or were almost forgotten. The focus of their work at the nursery is on preserving herbs of all kinds. Above all, numerous aromatic and medicinal herbs as well as aromatic plants can not only be admired in the nursery, but also bought. So you can find at Rühlemann's from Amaranth toYam root everything that feels good in a herb bed.
3. Romei
Everything to do with tomatoes - Romei couldn't have chosen his motto better. From irrigation systems to garden accessories, the family business offers everything to do with tomatoes. Of course, Romei also offers rare and almost forgotten varieties. The family offers more than 140 tomato varieties as seeds, but the company's repertoire also includes peppers and aubergines. In addition, you can admire all the plants on site in a separate show garden to convince yourself of the diversity of the tomato.
2. Garden of Life
The Garden of Life page, which is run by Annette Holländer and Hans Sondermeier, is also fully dedicated to preserving old types of vegetables. In their repertoire are mainly seeds of old bean and tomato varieties, historical salads but also some real vegetable rarities. Almost 50 of these special varieties can be ordered from Garten des Lebens. The special thing about it: Since this is a non-commercial offer, only a small expense allowance is required per portion.
1. Deaflora
With over 2,900 plants and seeds, the Deaflora aroma nursery is probably one of the largest seed distributors for tried-and-tested varieties. With the seemingly endless selection of varieties, no gardener's wish remains unfulfilled. From old artichoke varieties to almost extinct rhubarb to the almost forgotten chervil beet, the nursery offers almost all old varieties for shipping. If you don't like to order online, you don't have to be sad. Deaflora also regularly offers direct sales in its own nursery in Werder (Havel).
