Irish Seed Saver Association (ISSA), Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare

Today (Jan 29) was tree paste day at the Irish Seed Savers. A crew was out with rubber gloves, the tree paste and paint brushes. Each young tree was lovingly stroked and painted with the biodynamic paste which will keep it protected from fungus etc. The Irish Seed Savers, a venture begun by Waldorf parents Anita and Tommy Hayes, has grown from a small garden by the house to twenty acres of carefully tended ground.

Grainne Vaughan: This place has more life than any other garden I've ever been in. It is lovely. Lán le beocht!

Frank Bouchier, Garden Manager:

If we look after the trees they look after us.

Irish Seed Savers is the only organisation in Ireland engaged in the work of locating agricultural plants that are in danger of extinction, taking samples,nurturing them, propagating them and distributing them to gardeners and farmers around the country to ensure that they are available, once again, to be enjoyed for their taste, beauty and resilience. For information: 061 921 866.