Many Bay of Plenty residents will be busy mucking in to get their garden growing for summer. For those who’d like to receive free seeds to plant, Whanganui-based Heritage Food Crops Research Trust will happily oblige.

According to the website, the trust has a range of seeds for golden tomato and heirloom bean varieties available free.

The trust says while it is a wellbeing initiative for all New Zealanders, it will gratefully accept donations to help it continue its work.

To obtain free tomato or bean varieties, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Heritage Food Crops Research Trust, 126A Springvale Rd, Whanganui 4501.

If requesting both tomato and bean seeds, just send one stamped, self-addressed padded bag.

Alternatively, to make a donation to the trust to cover postage costs, send the trust an email to let it know your postal address and the varieties you want to: info@heritagefoodcrops.org.nz.

The trust’s bank account is 06-0793-0299259-00 (ANZ Bank).

The trust advises that tomato seeds be planted inside and transplanted outside once the risk of frost has passed; and that its common and runner beans are best sown outdoors in October-November, when there is no risk of frost.

Find out more at: www.heritagefoodcrops.org.nz