Connect and Learn - Benefits of Growing Heirlooms

Connect & Learn + Share Table

Benefits of Growing Heirlooms

presented by Stuart Hickson, Survival Seeds

Monday 21 July 2025

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350

or online via Zoom

You'll receive the Zoom link after you book.

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Please book so we have your contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

6.30 pm - Learn - Benefits of Growing Heirlooms

Presented by Stuart Hickson, Survival Seeds

Join us for this informative session to explore the many benefits of growing heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers in our gardens. Heirlooms are bursting with flavour, connect us to history, improve biodiversity, and support resilient, locally adapted food systems. Whether you're a seed saver, gardener, or simply curious, you'll come away with practical tips and inspiration to grow your own heirloom varieties in your permaculture patch.

What you'll learn:

• What defines an heirloom and how they differ from hybrids.

• Why heirlooms matter for seed saving, food security, and biodiversity.

• How growing heirlooms preserves cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.

• The unique colours, flavours, and stories of heirloom varieties.

• Tips for selecting, growing, and saving seed from heirloom plants for our bioregion.

The Survival Seeds Story

Survival Seeds sprouted in 2020 from a mix of passion and sheer necessity. Stuart left his stale, corporate marketing job to travel, but Covid-19 put a halt to his plans. Jobless and bored, he turned to his love of growing veggies, only to discover the world had collectively decided to become green thumbs. Seeds were as rare as toilet paper!

He saw an opportunity to do something a bit different in the seed space; he was determined to make the most of this so-called ‘pandemic’. He conceived an all-in-one veggie garden kit with detailed and useful instructions for beginners - the Survival Seed Tin was born!

Why Survival Seeds?

• Aussie Favourite sets of seeds.

• Clear, Easy Instructions: Each Survival Seed packet comes with simple planting and growing instructions, a planting calendar based on your Growing Region, and most even a QR code for a more comprehensive online grow guide online!

• Heirloom, Non-GMO Seeds: Seeds yield healthier, tastier produce compared to hybrid/GMO seeds, and because they're heirloom, you can save and replant them for generations.

• Small Aussie Family Business: Toowoomba-based, family-run.

https://survivalseeds.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/SurvivalSeedsCo/

7.45 pm – Connect – Light Supper (provided) and Share Table

A light supper will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Please bring your own KeepCup or mug so we can reduce waste.

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then allow you to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

What to Bring

• KeepCup or similar for your drink at supper (we're trying to minimise waste) 

• Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Cost

• Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free

• First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - $10 per person

• Non-Members - $20 per person

• Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership 2025

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $50 per person or $40 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.  

Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost. 

You can pay your membership for 2025 at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/