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
August 2026 – Tomatoes
This year we are growing six varieties of Heritage tomatoes at the Garden. These tomatoes are now available to purchase at the Veg Shed onsite.
1. Tomato ‘George’s Delight‘
Named after the donor’s father who carefully selected this variety from the commercial favourite Gardener’s Delight. After the war, George had a very successful career in horticulture. This tomato was the result of a project he carried out at home, over a period of 25 years, in order to find his perfect tomato.
2. Tomato ‘Quedlinburger Frühe Liebe‘
Quedlinburg is a town located in the former East Germany, renowned for its seed production since the 1800s. This potato-leafed variety dates back to around 1950 and produces round, red fruits with a slightly acidic flavour.
3. Tomato ‘Stonor’s No 2’
The donor originally saved these seeds from some tomatoes he bought from a local gardener, who had grown the variety for more than 25 years. Its medium-sized, red tomatoes have great flavour, and are produced over a long period of time.
4. Tomato ‘Pink Cherry’
This variety is prolific and hardy, doing well both outdoors and under glass. Its growth habit requires regular pinching out of the side shoots. The small, plum-shaped fruits begin pink, becoming red once ripe, and have a pleasant, mild flavour.
5. Tomato ‘Tiger Tom’
The donor acquired this variety in 1979 after obtaining seeds from a small producer in Devon. It had also previously been supplied commercially by Suttons. The medium-sized, red and yellow striped fruit are both attractive and delicious. Can be grown indoors but produces better yields outside.
6. Tomato ‘Dixie Golden Giant’
Produces large, slightly flattened, deep yellow-orange beefsteak fruits. A great slicer, perfect for sandwiches and salads.
(Information provided by the Heritage Seed Library)
Fruhe Liebe
