But why not save your own organic ones? First sow them thickly, and gradually thin by cutting and eating the superfluous green shoots in salads.

Peas are so easy to sow and grow - even a bag of dried ones from the supermarket will probably germinate. So, let’s start with the easy peasy seed savers: Peas Pisum Sativum To help you, read more in our Seed Saving Guidelines. If, for instance, your runner bean flower is pollinated by a bee from your neighbour’s plants (which are a different type of runner bean) you cannot predict what sort of bean you will grow next year. With others, such as runner beans and pumpkins, you need to be a bit careful to prevent any cross-pollination from other plants to keep your own variety pure. With some vegetables, such as tomatoes and peas, it is very simple and you save seeds from ripened fruit each year. In doing so, you will be supporting our vital work of maintaining rare heritage plants - and you can choose up to 6 packets of seed free each year! If you are interested in becoming a member of the Heritage Seed Library, it costs just an additional £1.50 a month, on top of your Garden Organic membership. Year on year, HSL staff continue the growing cycle of seed to plant, harvest to seed, ensuring that these old heritage varieties don't disappear. Many are local, such as the Stafford broad bean, Stoke lettuce and English Winter Leamington cauliflower. Often they are rejected as 'uncommercial'. If taste and individuality are your aims, then why not support our Heritage Seed Library? We conserve many varieties that are no longer widely available. We also look at some of the wonderful heritage varieties available. Not only are you keeping yourself in organic produce, year on year - you're also saving money! Tomatoes, peas and French beans, for instance, are a great place to start. Once you dip into the seed saving world, you realise how satisfying and easy it can be. In this series, we discuss how to save your own organic seeds.

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