Alan & Dorothea Jones in their former allotment outside of Berlin.

 

Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future

Nestled in the picturesque Wendland region of Lower Saxony, Heirbloom sprang from two lifelong journeys that began—and still continue—with muddy hands. Today, its founders, Dorothea & Alan, cultivate far more than a collection of heirloom organic seeds. They foster a vision in which traditional gardening meets modern living, all whilst making a meaningful contribution to local ecosystems and global communities.

Two Gardens, Two Continents, One Passion

Although Dorothea and Alan hail from different continents, their childhoods were shaped by a similarly close bond with the land.

Dorothea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Dorothea grew up amid historic farmlands, helping her parents restore their half-timbered home, roaming across “endless” pastures with the family dogs, and learning traditional plant lore on hikes. Summers were spent climbing trees, picking sun-warmed cherries, building hideouts in hazel hedges, and rolling down hay bales with friends.

Dorothea climbing hay bales.

Alan in West Texas

Across the ocean, in the wide-open landscapes of rural Texas, Alan spent his youth helping his parents tend a large organic vegetable garden and fruit orchard. He chased chickens through rows of peas, climbed the mature trees of Jones Hill, and built treehouses from salvaged wood. Whether cycling down sand dunes or getting his hands caked in soil, his life revolved around nature’s rhythms.

Alan stained red after wrestling with his brothers and cousins in Jones Hill clay.

 

Although their parents’ careers varied—teachers, a doctor, and an engineer—they shared two passions: organic gardening and a deep love of nature. These early lessons taught Alan and Dorothea that gardening is not merely about what or how you grow; it shapes your values and your relationship with the food you eat. They carry this legacy into Heirbloom today.

City Life with Soil Under Their Fingernails

Despite being raised on opposite sides of the Cold War, Dorothea and Alan’s paths crossed when Alan arrived in Berlin in 2011. A chance meeting led to a friendship that, like a carefully tended garden, blossomed into something more. After five years in the city, they fulfilled a shared dream: obtaining an allotment on Berlin’s outskirts. It swiftly became a place where their childhood memories and cultural perspectives converged—weekends were spent digging, planting, harvesting, hosting friends, and envisioning a future more deeply rooted in the land.

Eventually, weekend gardening proved insufficient to satisfy their desire to connect with the soil daily. Their search for a countryside home led them to Wendland, where a historic farmhouse, pristine landscapes, abundant wildlife—such as cranes gliding over the fields—and a warm, creative community made it clear this was the perfect place to put down roots.

Dorothea with a bucket of lilacs we harvested the day we signed the contract for our Wendland home.

 

Life in the Garden, Life as a Family

From spring to autumn, Dorothea and Alan relish stepping into their garden at any moment—whether for a day of purposeful work or a few minutes of peaceful tending. Alan delights in researching cultivars, starting seedlings indoors, and cooking for friends and family at late-summer gatherings. Dorothea enjoys pruning trees and roses, weeding with their cats (Nepeta and Valeriana) by her side, tending to their lavender and herb shrubs, and practising yoga in tranquil corners of the garden.

They married in summer 2023, and the arrival of their daughter, Rose, the following summer brought a renewed sense of wonder to their rural life. Parenthood has strengthened their commitment to an equitable, sustainable future for the next generation.

Alan and Nepeta digging holes for potted seedlings.

Founding Heirbloom

After years of research, trial and error, and experimenting with myriad plant varieties—learning from both successes and failures—Heirbloom’s founders have curated over 100 organic seed varieties. Their collection blends traditional wisdom, modern sustainable practices, and the sheer delight of cultivating plants that are as beautiful as they are useful. By offering both heirloom favourites and carefully selected modern cultivars, Heirbloom caters to gardeners of all experience levels.

Inspired by time spent in the Americas and Asia, Dorothea and Alan gather botanical treasures from around the globe. They proudly partner with renowned European organic seed producers—Bingenheimer Saatgut, Sativa, ReinSaat, and La Ferme de Sainte Marthe—to uphold the highest standards of quality and germination. Through these partnerships, they illustrate how business can benefit both nature and local communities.

From their earliest gardening memories in Mecklenburg and Texas to their homestead in Wendland, Heirbloom naturally extends Dorothea and Alan’s lifelong devotion to plants, soil, and the stories they hold. Each seed they offer carries the promise of future harvests, the wisdom of past generations, and hope for those yet to come. With every packet, they nurture optimism, trusting that with patience and care, new life will always flourish. They champion organic practices that work in harmony with nature’s rhythms—supporting beneficial insects, soil microbes, and other organisms—to foster stronger, more resilient ecosystems. By prioritising robust germination, they honour the trust placed in every seed, sustaining seed-saving traditions that connect communities across time. Finally, they believe gardening is for everyone, ensuring inclusivity through affordable seed packets (starting at €1.85) and sharing knowledge gleaned from diverse horticultural traditions.