Welsh garden and greenhouse fans required

Welsh garden and greenhouse enthusiasts have been urged to take part in a scheme set up to boost distribution of rare local varieties.

The idea behind the project is to collect a range of the countrys heirloom seeds and introduce them into the general market, the Royal Horticultural Society revealed.

It is set up by the Dyfi Valley Seed Savers and growers who have had seeds passed down to them are being encouraged to get in touch to help increase the level of distribution in Wales.

As part of the scheme, each variety will be trialled at ten locations throughout the country before being given over to trading schemes run by Garden Organic.

One challenge is that some seeds adapt to specific soil and weather conditions, Claire Rydwen, who is running the project, explained.

"The risk you take is that when you buy a packet of seeds that are not from your area they may not thrive where you live," she said. "Getting local-bred seed cuts down on the trial and error."

Examples of the seeds on trial include the Llanover pea, which is only found in the Llanover Estate near Abergavenny, and the Melbourne Mini, which has been growing on a single allotment since the 1970s.

Meanwhile, Urban Gardens Week is set to take place from March 22nd to 28th.