By Fiona Gallagher · permaculture designer · food, animals and preservation on 12 acres in Tassie
“After losing my entire winter carrot crop to a single frost in 2018, I now only order seeds proven for Tassie's unpredictable microclimates.”
— Fiona. If you can't eat it, it goes to the chooks.
ArticlesCalculatorsSite PlannerShopStop wasting money on fancy seed catalogs that won't grow in your backyard. You need seeds that survive drought, pests, and your own mistakes. Here's the real deal.
Stop wasting money on fancy seed catalogs that won't grow in your backyard. You need seeds that survive drought, pests, and your own mistakes. Here's the real deal.
Heirloom seeds that actually work here. No imported nonsense. They've got the rare stuff you won't find at Woolworths.
Price: $3.50-$18.50 per packet (yes, $3.50 for a packet of Mung Beans that'll grow in a pot on your balcony).
Best for: Rare varieties, drought-tolerant veggies. Their "Australian Native Edibles" catalog is gold.
Big, reliable, no-nonsense. They stock the basics but also have some good old Aussie varieties.
Price: $2.95-$15.00. Their "Desert Crops" range is worth checking.
Best for: Quick-growing greens, beans, and root veggies that don't need a greenhouse.
Focus on open-pollinated, seed-saving friendly varieties. They're the ones who'll teach you to save your own seeds.
Price: $2.50-$12.00. Their "Bush Tucker" collection is legit.
Best for: Learning to save seeds, avoiding GMOs, and growing food that'll survive a bushfire.
Forget fancy French heirlooms. These grow in Australian conditions:
Practical Tip: Don't order 10 packets of everything. Start with 3 things: 1) A fast-growing green (like Mung Beans), 2) A staple (like Sweet Potato), 3) A rare one (like Kangaroo Paw Beans). Test them in your actual soil before you go all-in.
Practical Tip: Seed catalogs are useless if you don't know your zone. Check your Australian Plant Hardiness Zone first. If you're in the Outback, forget tomatoes. Get sorghum instead.
Practical Tip: Price check: Diggers' "Bush Tucker" catalog is $15 but includes 50+ rare seeds. Greenlife's "Desert Crops" is $12.50. Seed Savers' "Seed Saving Guide" is $5.95. Worth every cent.
Ignore these:
While many off-grid projects are achievable as DIY, certain situations require licensed professionals:
Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before commencing work.
Worth a watch: What to GROW in your GARDEN so you can EAT YEAR-ROUND · More Than Farmers