Growing from the Ground Up: Seed Station at Gather & Gourmet

This free, family-friendly event celebrates food, creativity, and community under the city lights, featuring more than 70 local makers, distilleries, and gourmet food trucks.

There’s something special about planting a seed and watching it grow — a small act that connects us to the earth, our food, and each other. That philosophy is at the heart of Seed Station, a proudly Western Australian business run by Jacqueline Gratton, who will be bringing her passion for sustainable gardening to Gather & Gourmet on Saturday, 8 November at Supreme Court Gardens.

This free, family-friendly event celebrates food, creativity, and community under the city lights, featuring more than 70 local makers, distilleries, and gourmet food trucks. Among them, Seed Station stands out as a business helping Perth reconnect with the simple joy of growing from scratch.

A Legacy Rooted in Local Soil

Based in Hilton, Seed Station is an Australian-owned and operated business with deep local roots. The story began back in 2010 as a humble seedling venture selling plants at local farmers markets and IGAs. What started small quickly blossomed into something much larger. As demand grew, Jacqueline expanded her offerings to include seeds alongside seedlings, and by 2022, Seed Station had evolved into a dedicated seed supplier.

Today, the business caters to thousands of home gardeners across Australia through its online store, seedstation.com.au, as well as a select number of commercial growers. The heart of Seed Station’s mission is simple: to keep heirloom and open-pollinated seeds accessible to everyone and preserve our seed heritage for future generations.

As Jacqueline puts it, “At Seed Station, we embrace the identity of the ‘Home of the Seed Enthusiast.’ Each seed in our collection represents much more than just a starting point for a plant; it embodies a legacy filled with origins and histories."

Collaboration and Quality at the Core

Seed Station’s success is built on a mix of hands-on cultivation and strong community connections. “We pride ourselves on cultivating our own range of plants specifically for seed production, supported by a network of passionate seed savers and seed enthusiasts,” Jacqueline says.

This collaborative approach ensures high-quality, locally sourced seeds suited to Australian conditions. “We prioritise sourcing seeds locally or within Western Australia, drawing on our extensive experience in seedling cultivation to ensure that we partner with the best quality seed growers,” she adds.

Seed Station’s commitment to sustainability runs through every part of the business. “All the inputs we use are biodegradable and home compostable,” Jacqueline explains — a reflection of their respect for the environment and the long-term health of the soil they depend on.

Making a Difference in the Community

Seed Station’s community spirit doesn’t stop at selling seeds. Jacqueline lists one of the business’s proudest achievements as “helping the City of Rockingham set up a seed saving and growing program in all their libraries.” It’s a project that highlights how sharing knowledge and resources can help people reconnect with nature and learn the value of growing their own food.

Seed Station is now a full-time operation. When asked about the biggest challenge she’s faced, Jacqueline admits it’s “working when not 100%.” Despite that, her focus remains on the future and her goal is simple: “To keep supplying great seeds.”

A Seed-to-Harvest Tip: Growing Tomatoes from Scratch

For those inspired to start their own growing journey, Jacqueline shares some practical advice on one of the most rewarding crops — tomatoes.

Tomatoes love sunshine, needing “at least six to eight hours of sun a day.” They’re heavy feeders, so adding compost and tomato fertiliser to the soil gives them the nutrients they need.

There are two main types of tomato plants — determinate (bush) and indeterminate (vine). “Bush types grow to about 1m high, they produce their fruit all at once and then stop growing… Vine types keep growing and fruiting for months,” Jacqueline notes.

Water them deeply at the base rather than over the leaves to “help the roots grow strong and prevent fungal problems.” When they’re ready, “your tomatoes are ready when they’ve turned their full colour and twist off the vine easily.”

Saving seeds is easy too. Jacqueline advises: “Pick the ripest fruit from the healthiest plant. Scoop the seeds into a jar, add water, and let them sit for a few days. Rinse and dry the seeds thoroughly… then store them in a labelled envelope somewhere cool and dry.”

Visit Seed Station at Gather & Gourmet

Seed Station will be one of the many local businesses featured at Gather & Gourmet, offering visitors a chance to browse heirloom vegetable, herb, flower, and native seeds while learning about sustainable gardening.

It’s the perfect opportunity to meet Jacqueline in person, chat about seed-saving, and find inspiration for your own garden — all while enjoying delicious food, live music, and Perth’s best twilight atmosphere.

Join us at Supreme Court Gardens on Saturday, 8 November 2025, from 3:30pm to 8:30pm for an evening of flavour, creativity, and community connection.

Because every great garden — and every great idea — starts with a single seed.