MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE ABOUT SEEDS

Dr Anton Rosenfeld, of sustainable gardening charity Garden Organic, shares some tips for choosing seeds this winter

- Dr Anton Rosenfeld

As we near the festive season, our thoughts inevitably turn to replenishing our seed stores or those of friends and family.

If you haven't saved seeds yourself, then there can be a dizzying choice from seed catalogues or garden centres.

The main priority for many of us when we choose a packet of seeds is will it germinate well, then develop into something that we can enjoy? However, it’s useful to consider the wider impact of our actions beyond the garden fence. Here we delve into the implications of how our choices can influence our heritage, food security and biodiversity.

SO WHAT DOES SEED SOVEREIGNTY MEAN?

Seed sovereignty is the right of a farmer or grower to save, distribute or breed seeds without restrictions imposed by corporations. However, in the commercial world these rights are heavily curtailed. In 2025, four multinationals control 56% of the global seed market. These companies have patents on many of these varieties, which are often developed in tandem with the agrochemicals that they sell. An additional restriction in the UK is that seeds need to be on a national list to be legally sold. Inclusion on this list entails an expensive registration process, so restricts the range to varieties that will sell in large quantities.

DECISIONS THAT GIVE GARDENERS CONTROL

Luckily, in the gardening world, there is a wider array of choices for obtaining seed that give growers and communities more control.

Heritage Seed Library