A new online store allows gardeners and small farmers to purchase local varieties of plants from seed.

Last week, the Hawaiʻi Seed Growers Network unveiled an online store to allow residents to purchase and grow seeds that are adapted to Hawaii’s conditions, soil, pests and disease.

The network is a statewide group of seed producers supported by The Kohala Center’s Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative program.

Before the launch of the store, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Seed lab was the only local producer of seeds.

Lyn Howe is the Director of the Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative.

She says the local seed varieties are better suited to successfully grow in Hawaiʻi.

Howe says she hopes the store will help promote small seed growers in the state. She adds there are currently 17 varieties for sale, and more are expected to be added in the coming years.

Residents can pre-order next year’s seed varieties with shipments expected later this month.

You can find the store here.

More information about the Hawaiʻi Seed Growers Network can be found here, and the Kohala Center's Seed Initiative here.