Seed collection, selection and supply

We have 16 years’ experience in supplying locally-native seeds to nurseries, revegetation companies, not-for-profits (e.g. Landcare) and government agencies across Gipplsand.

At Seeds of Gippsland we take pride in ensuring the availability of provenance seed for any individual or agency who needs it, in any quantity (nature’s harvest permitting!).

Seed products include:

• Seed packaged and labelled for propagation of particular species
• Direct seeding orders – mixed or un-mixed.

Seed supply process

Timing is of the utmost importance. Keep in mind that most seed varieties are only available for harvest over a period of one or two weeks, once per year. We do maintain a bank of seed to provide security of supply, but cannot guarantee availability unless seed is ordered well in advance. The basic ordering process is as follows:

1. Email your seed needs (or upload to our Contact page), including
   1. • Species (botanical name)
      • Amount required (grams or plant numbers)
      • Provenance specificiations
      • Date required
2. We respond with details of availability and cost
3. We wait for confirmation, adjust the order if required and prepare an invoice
4. After payment, we weigh, pack, label and post the seed to you.

Nursery orders

Spring is the best time of year for nurseries to submit seed orders. This gives us time to pack and send seed in the quieter time before the harvest season, and nurseries then have the seed ready for propagating through spring and summer. It also allows us to properly plan and target collection activities to fill any gaps in supply.

The main seed harvest season ramps up in November, is at its most frantic in December and January and then eases off until April. We know that plant orders keep coming into nurseries, and continue to accept seed requests throughout the year. However, to reflect the disruption that late orders cause our collection schedule, any seed orders received between November 14 and February 14 will incur a 50-100% mark-up. (These terms will commence from 2024).

Direct seeding

Direct seeding projects should be planned at least one year before the sowing date, and this includes ordering the seed! Usually at least some species will require targeted collection to ensure we have enough bulk seed to satisfy requirements. Therefore – as for the nurseries -send us your seed orders in Spring.

The value of a direct seeding mix varies, depending on the species and diversity included. Currently the seed costs around $900/kg – plus a fee for site assessment and species selection.

Please don’t hesitate to ask for more information. We can provide current availability lists to help you to plan your seed orders.