Organic seeds

Organic seeds: what they are, why they matter and how to use them in your garden

Seeds are the heart of any crop, but not all are the same. Organic seeds They are the preferred choice of those who want their garden to have the least possible impact. If you have ever wondered what makes a seed organic and why you should choose it, we are here to answer your questions.

In Local Varieties, we offer you a selection of local seeds, produced with ecological criteria, that connect you with tradition and the richness of local biodiversity. Discover all our varieties in the our online store.

What are organic seeds?

Organic seeds are the result of sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and food security.

Definition: These seeds come from crops grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers and are certified by organizations that ensure compliance with ecological regulations, such as the Regulation (EU) 2018/848.
Certification: Official labeling guarantees that the seeds have been produced respecting biodiversity, the efficient use of water and the conservation of healthy soils.
Benefits: These seeds not only offer healthier crops, but also promote a balanced and environmentally friendly agricultural system.

Our best-selling local and organic seeds

Every year, we introduce new seeds to the catalog after they have been selected, multiplied and evaluated by farmer multipliers, as well as other materials that we publish. Below, we present this year's best-selling seeds.

Why grow with organic seeds?

Choosing organic seeds is not only an environmental decision, but also a way to grow better quality food.

Organic seeds promote more balanced ecosystems. By being grown without chemicals, they respect the natural cycles of the soil and help preserve biodiversity. They are also free of pesticide and herbicide residues, making them a safe option for those looking to produce healthier foods.

Another key advantage is their resilience. These seeds are usually adapted to the local environment, making them more resistant to pests and adverse weather conditions.

The 10 pillars of organic seeds

No patents

Varieties protected by patents or plant breeders' rights must be eliminated from ecological production systems, both because of the ethical problems raised by the appropriation of living beings and their processes, and because of the concentration of corporate power that this type of intellectual property entails.

Participatory selection

Public and private entities, dedicated to the development and improvement of traditional varieties for organic production, must implement mechanisms that facilitate the active participation of the end users of the product, both producers and consumers.

Farmers' and agriculturalists' law

Organic production and consumption must actively participate in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, in addition to promoting the development of the Right of Farmers to conserve, use, exchange and sell planting or propagation material conserved on farms (FAO 2004).

Soil fertility

Varieties from organic seed must preserve the fertility and vitality of the soil, through the optimal and sustainable use of natural resources, supplying the population (animal and human) with necessary nutrients, in quantity and quality.

Adaptability

Varieties from organic seed must have a significant capacity to adapt to local soil, climatic and cultural conditions, as well as to organic agriculture with low contribution of external inputs, increasing and promoting intra- and interspecific and varietal genetic diversity.

Non-GMO

In organic production, the use of varieties obtained through microbiological improvement techniques must not be allowed. The genome must be respected.
as an indivisible entity and artificial invasion must be avoided. The cell must also be respected as an indivisible functional entity (ECO-PB 2013).

Open pollination

It is necessary to promote the use of selection techniques that are within the reach of farmers and that promote the interaction of the plants in cultivation with the rest of the organisms present in the system. The result of these improvement systems must be varieties that are sexually and vegetatively reproducible, without restrictions.

Organic agricultural production must guarantee food autonomy and sovereignty and promote local culture and the development of rural territories, with gender, equity and social economy criteria. It must be a space that promotes the development of artisanal micro-enterprises of organic seeds and local varieties.

Cultural heritage

The improvement of varieties for organic production must be respectful of the cultural and agronomic heritage of the base material, and therefore, of the criteria used by the farmers and agriculturists who have preserved it.

Economic viability

The activity of producing and selling seeds must be economically viable. A fair price must be guaranteed, both for seed producers and for their consumers, which allows continuity in the activity of producing local and organic varieties adapted to the agroclimatic and cultural characteristics of the territory.

How to start growing with organic seeds?

Growing organic seeds is simple if you follow a few clear steps.

Prepare the ground: Use organic compost to enrich the soil naturally. Well-prepared soil is the key to good production.

Choose the right varieties: Opt for seeds adapted to your climate and local conditions. This improves their resistance and productivity.

Practice natural healing: It focuses on efficient irrigation, pest control through ecological methods (such as crop associations) and crop rotation to preserve soil health.

By following these simple steps, you will achieve high-quality crops while helping to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.

In our seed catalog You will find detailed information about the sowing calendar for each variety.

Do you want to know more about who we are and what we do?

Why choose our seeds?

At Varietats Locals, we don't just offer organic seeds; we also connect you with local tradition and biodiversity. This is what sets us apart:

Biodiversity and tradition: We recover and preserve local varieties that are at risk of disappearing, contributing to cultural and agricultural wealth.

Guaranteed quality: Many of our seeds have organic certifications and are adapted to the local environment for better performance.

Positive impact: By choosing our seeds, you support sustainability, local trade and the conservation of biodiversity.

For example, the “Ramellet tomato“, is a native variety of Mallorca, is an example of how a seed can transform not only a crop, but also preserve an agricultural tradition that connects people with their environment.

Organic seeds are much more than an agricultural choice; they represent a commitment to the planet and to yourself. With them, you can enjoy healthier foods, care for biodiversity, and contribute to a sustainable future.

The Ecological Agricultural Production seal

In 2012, the Local Varieties Association was registered in the Balearic Council for Organic Agricultural Production as Developer 0940EThis recognition certifies that all phases of the process – from seed production to its cleaning and packaging – are carried out in strict accordance with organic agricultural production regulations.

Thanks to this accreditation, most of the seed packets you will find include a label that guarantees that they have been produced according to the criteria of organic farming, thus ensuring you an environmentally friendly and high-quality product.

The Phytosanitary passport of seeds

From 2020, the regulations on plant health and the Register of Professional Plant Operators (ROPVEG, formerly ROPCIV), of which we are a part, has been updated. Some of the species that we multiply are regulated by this regulation and, therefore, their commercialization must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Passport (PF).

This passport certifies that the seed is free from quarantine pests and meets the tolerance levels established for the regulated non-quarantine pestsFor this reason, in some seed packets you will find the label corresponding to the Phytosanitary Passport, thus guaranteeing the quality and health safety of the product.

The AVL catalog

The catalog of local varieties illustrates the different varieties of vegetables and legumes that the network of seed multipliers produces to offer to the population.

Find out in the catalog when to sow and when to harvest local varieties.