Worcester Community Garden joined the Heritage Seed Library (HSL) in October 2025. The HSL, run by Garden Organic, maintains the national collection of heritage and heirloom vegetables, holding more than 800 varieties of seeds, including rare varieties adapted to specific growing conditions, heirloom seed varieties saved over generations and varieties no longer available to buy.
The HSL is a vital resource to connect people with heritage and heirloom seed, keep these varieties alive and increase biodiversity. Much of our cultivated biodiversity – including vegetable seeds we grow to eat – has been in decline. Over the last century, we have lost many hundreds of local vegetable varieties, grown for generations by seed companies, families and communities. Factors adding to this decline include intensive production of a reduced number of species, industrialisation of agriculture and food processing, seed regulations and loss of open-pollinated, traditional varieties.
For 2026, we have chosen over 20 heritage seeds to grow. Each month we will share news about the heritage seeds we are growing and our partnership with the Heritage Seed Library.
Heritage Seed of the Month
May 2026 – Cucumber 741 Peking China
A classic dark-skinned variety with a knobbly surface that can be a little prickly. The deliciously crisp fruits grow to an impressive 60cm (2 ft), so are perfect for slicing. Staff at Ryton Organic Garden enjoyed the taste, describing them as “tangy”, “nice and savoury”, “plenty of flavour.”
Our cucumber seeds were sown on 30th March 2026. Once all risk of frost is past they will be planted under cover in Greenhouse 1.