Indigenous Edibles

On Livingseeds Farm, our main focus is on food crops – traditionally, we have focused on heirloom and open-pollinated vegetables. There is, however, a massive resource of real South African and international heritage food crops that have gone unnoticed by the general gardening public.

We are blessed to have a broad base of professional food gardeners who specialise in rare and unusual crops, often known as forgotten or lost crops. These growers have spent years cultivating and understanding such crops. Through their dedication, Livingseeds can supply these lost varieties to the South African gardening public.

There is a massive diversity in traditional food crops that our “Western palate” is totally out of tune with. The Western palate has a propensity for soft and sweet, often mistaking sweet for flavour. It’s gotten so bad that crops are sold solely on a Brix index – the higher the Brix, the more in demand the crop. But Brix is an indication of sweetness and not actual flavour.

Traditional food crops are seen as orphan crops as they are not seen as commercially viable. The world revolves around 4 staple crops: corn, wheat, rice, and soy bean. All of these have been bred to suit commercial requirements in terms of planting, fertilization, harvesting, processing, and consumption. Thanks to our bodies constantly being tempted with sweet, soft carbs, our palates have been damaged and our minds addled as to what food is.

Orphan crops are often not what we would expect as standard fare; however, the surprises in flavour and texture are deliciously astonishing. Even better, they come packed with nutrients, fibre, and flavours that make you wonder why you had never encountered these amazing foods before.

This year, take the plunge and plant a few indigenous edibles. Very often, these crops are limited in stock and tend to sell out quite quickly. Being subscribed to our newsletter is the best way to ensure that you get a heads-up when they come into stock.


Wild Rosemary (Kapokbossie)

Wild Rosemary (Kapokbossie)

Eriocephalus africanusBushy evergreen shrubs with grey foliage that reflects sunlight. The leaves ha..

R34.50

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Specials

Biogrow Radavit

Biogrow Radavit

Radavit is an organic composting agent that contains compost bacteria together with enzymes and fung..

R122.54 R136.16

Chantenay Red Cored

Chantenay Red Cored

Daucus carotaA popular variety that was introduced in 1929 by C.C. Morse & Company.These th..

R30.87 R36.32

China Rose

China Rose

Raphanus sativus Now this is a cool radish variety. Dating back to the 1840's this is a really ol..

R26.76 R31.48

Crosby Egyptian

Crosby Egyptian

Beta vulgarisA celebrated heirloom variety first introduced in Boston, USA, by farmer Josiah Crosby...

R25.73 R30.27

Cylindra

Cylindra

Beta vulgarisAs the name suggests, this variety produces a long, slim, cylindrical-shaped beetroot, ..

R25.73 R30.27

Early Wonder

Early Wonder

Beta vulgaris A popular heirloom beet that produces high yields of deep red roots. This well-li..

R25.73 R30.27

Giant Minowase (Pickling Radish)

Giant Minowase (Pickling Radish)

Raphanus sativusA Japanese Heirloom. This radish variety is crisp with a sweet,mild flavour. A great..

R22.85 R26.88

Golden Helios

Golden Helios

Raphanus sativus Stunning polish heirloom variety. Golden yellow skin with a crisp firm white fl..

R26.75 R31.48

Hailstone Radish

Hailstone Radish

Rephanus sativusAn heirloom variety  originally released in 1908, one of the easiest and fastes..

R26.75 R31.48

Hong Vit

Hong Vit

Raphanus sativusBeautiful long white radishes with delightful pink-purple shoulders. Delicious raw a..

R26.75 R31.48

Jiffy-7C® Plugs 30mm

Jiffy-7C® Plugs 30mm

The Jiffy-7C® is a 100% buffered coir planting plug. Perfect for use in hydroponics/aquaponics.The J..

R13.80 R20.40

Jiffy-7C® Plugs 40mm

Jiffy-7C® Plugs 40mm

The Jiffy-7C® is a 100% buffered coir planting plug. Perfect for use in hydroponics/aquaponics.The J..

R20.70 R31.17

Jiffy-7C® Plugs 60mm

Jiffy-7C® Plugs 60mm

The Jiffy-7C® is a 100% buffered coir planting plug. Perfect for use in hydroponics/aquaponics.The J..

R32.20 R46.32

Jiffystrips® Square Medium

Jiffystrips® Square Medium

These square coir strips give you space-saving versatility and prevent transplant shock by enablin..

R130.50 R153.53

Jiffystrips® Square Small

Jiffystrips® Square Small

These square coir strips give you space-saving versatility and prevent transplant shock by enabling ..

R48.53 R57.10

Lutz Green Leaf Beetroot (Red Stem)

Lutz Green Leaf Beetroot (Red Stem)

Beta vulgarisMost commonly referred to as "Winter keeper," this beetroot has outstanding storage pot..

R25.73 R30.27

Pink Beauty Radish

Pink Beauty Radish

Raphanus sativus This radish is a real stunner with its beautiful soft pink skin and crisp, mild ..

R26.75 R31.48

Purple Plum Radish

Purple Plum Radish

Raphanus sativus Deep purple, these radishes add a stunning flavour and colour contrast to any gr..

R26.75 R31.48

Scarlet Candle Radish

Scarlet Candle Radish

Raphanus sativusAn Italian Heirloom. Long and beautiful scarlet-red radishes with a creamy white fle..

R26.75 R31.48

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