Welcome to the Sentinels group website

We are a collective of New Zealand based hobby growers offering heirloom and locally adapted seed lines for sale.

Explore our catalogue or learn more about the growers or our group.

  • Seeds bred for New Zealand climate by our passionate growers
  • Holistically grown and selected for optimum quality, taste, hardiness and disease resistance
  • Purchase directly from the grower
  • Sentinels seed is frozen stored to maintain high germination
Garden vegetable seeds

Garden vegetable seeds

Details   We offer a range of vegetable seed that has been carefully grown and collected from our group of dedicated growers. Consciously selected for improved hardiness, disease and pest tolerance and our unique climate. We also like to keeps things simple like using recycled packaging and hand written seed packs. Hand harvested seed may result in a small amount of detritus but this will not interfere with germination.
Our growers & suppliers

Our growers & suppliers

Details   Our plants and seeds are grown by a group of dedicated and experienced gardeners from many different areas of New Zealand, working within our local climate we aim to select/breed resilient hardy cultivars. Some of us are passionate about heirlooms while some enjoy developing new landrace cultivars.
Why you should grow your own

Why you should grow your own

Details   If you already grow your own plants and vegetables you know how satisfying it is. Whether you enjoy the taste, smell, sight or knowledge of good healthy produce...

So maybe you're wondering if now is the time to start to grow a few for your self and see what all the fuss is about?
Open Source Seed Initiative

Open Source Seed Initiative

Details   Some of the varieties listed on our website were bred by members of the Sentinels Group.
Our goal was to develop strong and resilient varieties suited to New Zealand conditions .
They are registered OPEN SOURCE through the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI).
By purchasing these seed varieties in this collection, you are taking part in the "FREE THE SEED" movement!
You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict
others’ use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.
Seed storage

Seed storage

All the seed banks around the world freeze their seeds intended for long term storage, freezing a seed does not kill the seed, it simply suspends its development until it is thawed and germinates. That's why we at Sentinels store some of our seed this way, it helps us to hopefully provide a seed line with excellent long term germination rates. Though we do appreciate customer feed back if any germination has not been satisfactory, we will always do our best in remuneration.

Balm of Gilead - SPH

Details   Balm of Gilead is a shrubby evergreen perennial from America growing to 1.5m with compound leaves consisting of 3 leaflets. Prefers moist well-drained soil in semi-shade or full sun. The leaves can be used in a tea named The de Canaries which is very aromatic with a balsam type smell. Very strong scent and very attractive to bees. Could be used as hedging or as a part of a hedgerow. I use it as greenery mulch and chop/drop it twice yearly.
Botanical name   Cedronella canariensis
Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Dec 2023
Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hilltrop
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Out of stock

Lunara - Silver dollar - SPH

Details  

 

A lovely old fashioned flower with pretty pink small snapdragon shaped flowers on a compact bush with slightly grey green leaves. Excellent cut flower. It is generally a short lived perennial, and self seed readily in a good spot. Once established can tolerate drought.

Grower name   Sara Pepers-Hilltrop
Price per packet   $4.50
Watch Out of stock
Lychnis - Coroaria Alba - 194SPH

Lychnis - Coroaria Alba - 194SPH

Details  

 

Lychnis coronaria ‘Alba’ has striking white flowers.
Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. It self-seeds readily. Rich nectar and pollen and a good bee attractor.

Contains at least   50
Date Of Seed Harvest   Jan 2024
Storage Info   seed in flower bag
Price per packet   $4.50