A Complete Grass Seed Development and Marketing Operation
British Seed Houses provide a range of grass seed products and services designed to meet the specific requirements of the amenity industry. Whether you are a greenkeeper, groundsman, landscape contractor, golf constructor, architect or agronomist, you can deal directly with the only gass seed company selling British-bred turf grasses direct to the end user. Buying direct gives you access to first class technical advice and great value specialist turfgrass products through the grade ‘A’ grass seed mixture brand. You can also purchase turf and fertilisers as well as UK Native wild flower seed mixtures.
What We Do
British Seed Houses is the largest privately-owned grass seed company in the United Kingdom, providing a comprehensive seed service to the amenity market through two strategically placed units at Lincoln and Bristol. Our experience and flexibility has earned us an established position in the grass seed industry.
British Seed Houses and IBERS
The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is the UK’s major centre for independent research into improving the efficiency, potential and sustainability of grassland. IBERS’ remit includes research aimed at understanding the physiological mechanisms involved in grass plant nutrition, quality and stress resistances.
British Seed Houses has funded the IBERS amenity turfgrass development programme since 1987, working together to form the UK’s largest grass breeding programme. It can take between 10 to 20 years to develop a new variety of grass. This research and development programme represents a major investment and demonstrates the commitment of British Seed Houses and the rest of the Germinal Group to the continual improvement of our varietal portfolio.
Breeding Programme Results
The programme has already produced some outstanding performance cultivars, which are supplied throughout the UK and other EU countries. These include Perennial ryegrasses: AberElf-the first UK perennial ryegrass variety bred specifically for amenity use –plus AberSprite and Aberlmp. The programme has also been successful in producing AberRoyal browntop bent, AberFlight slender creeping red fescue and the world’s only true ‘Staygreen’ variety of Perennial Ryegrass, AberNile. It is the expertise and selection of breeding material within the UK that has made BSH cultivars perform so well under UK climatic conditions.
UK Production and Quality Control
In addition to breeding UK grasses for the amenity market, British Seed Houses also produces the major portion of its grass seed within the UK. A long established network of contract growers combined with seed cleaning facilities, independent seed regulations from the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and seed trialling via the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) ensures our seed is of the highest purity and germination. It is British Seed Houses' policy to increase the production of herbage seed in the UK to minimise its carbon footprint. A recent initiative has been to increase the production of amenity varieties of perennial ryegrass and fescues. Whatever the species, attention to detail and rigorous standards of quality control have earned us a reputation for quality which is second to none. Field production managers are responsible for overseeing the process, which starts with careful grower selection. Our staff monitor all crops regularly, with check inspections carried out by DEFRA licensed inspectors.
Seed is sampled and tested at harvesting, during processing and again as a cleaned product. Testing for purity and germination which is carried out at our Lincoln Licensed Satellite Seed Testing Station. This unit has the capability to test a range of species in addition to those we produce.
Association with International Seed Breeders
Association with international renowned plant breeders and seed producers also enables us to offer an exceptional range of cultivars, which are constantly being updated. Users of the Grade 'A' seed range can be assured their mixtures contain only the best performing materials.
Grade 'A' Seed Mixtures
British Seed Houses offer a comprehensive mixture range to meet all the needs of the professional user, whether you’re a professional greenkeeper, groundsman, landscape contractor or turf grower. Our service doesn’t stop once you’ve purchased your seed. Your dedicated regional advisor will give you all the expert advice you’ll need for successful seeding.
