Simpson’s Seeds has opened its plant nursery in Horningsham for the season, with a wide selection of tomato, cucumber and courgette plants now on sale.
Aubergines, melons, chillies and sweet peppers will follow as the growing season progresses.
Owner Matt Simpson says ‘Putting Flavour First’ is the guiding idea behind the nursery, which specialises in tomatoes and peppers.
“It’s not just the classic tomatoes we do, such as Gardeners Delight; we have many of the new, blight resistant types too,” said Matt. “The tomatoes come in all colours: yellow, orange, pink and even black and vary from the sweetest cherries to great, big, juicy beefsteaks. Chillies vary from very mild to fiery hot. Each year we try out new varieties and those that pass the ‘Taste Test’ make it into our comprehensive catalogue.
“This is our third season at our new home in Chapel Street where we have built a haven for lovers of tomatoes, chillies and other treats for the kitchen garden. We’re still in Horningsham, but just have a different view. Quite a few people still try to find us at The Walled Garden before realising we have moved.”
Seed-wise they have over 40 types of lettuce and salad leaves to create summer salads plus a large range of vegetable seeds for year-round interest.
Matt also makes sauces, several of which have won awards. In 2025 he won the Best Hot Sauce Award at the Great Dorset Chilli Festival with ‘The Growler”, a fruit and tomato-based sauce using their own developed Fruitburst Habanero chilli. “We have a fine range at the moment, from mild to full-on hot ones. Something for every palate” he says.
Simpsons Seeds are at Keepers Yard, Chapel Street, Horningsham, BA12 7LU and are open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm in May. Times vary at other times of the year.
