A collection of vegetable seeds and their stories will be buried in a time capsule for 100 years as part of The King’s Foundation’s 35th anniversary.
Heritage beans, peas and tomato seeds from Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library will be buried in a special oak capsule until 2125.
Five heritage vegetable seeds from the National Collection of Heritage Vegetables have been selected for the time capsule, including seeds previously grown in the gardens at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, the headquarters of The King’s Foundation.
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His Majesty King Charles founded The King’s Foundation in 1990.
His Majesty also placed his secateurs and a personal letter in the time capsule.
The Foundation is collecting items that individuals and groups feel represent its achievements and legacy for the time capsule throughout 2025. It will be buried at Dumfries House.
The Heritage Seed Library, based at Ryton, near Coventry, also celebrates its 50th birthday between October 2025 and 2026.
Catrina Fenton, head of the Heritage Seed Library, said: “It’s an absolute honour to have five of our heritage vegetables from our National Collection included in the time capsule. They have been carefully selected to reflect the four King’s Foundation historic sites in Scotland and England and include a French bean that was conserved by the Heritage Seed Library in 1990, the same year the Foundation was established.
“The work of the Foundation and His Majesty King Charles III in promoting and protecting sustainability, heritage skills and nature, closely aligns with our own so we’re delighted to be involved in this unique and exciting project.”
Pam Whittle CBE, Garden Organic vice president and former president of The Caley, Scotland’s horticultural society, added: “Helping ensure diversity of seeds in the future requires us to act today. I would love to know, perhaps even grow, what my grandparents were growing 100 years ago.”
The King’s Foundation focuses on community regeneration projects and education programmes in traditional skills, as well as advocating for living in harmony with nature.
Julie Dougall,education gardener at The King’s Foundation, said: “We’re pleased to have worked with Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library for many years at our headquarters at Dumfries House. The contribution of five heritage seeds to our anniversary time capsule is a reminder of our shared values in preserving horticultural heritage.”
