Saving seed from fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs is an ancient tradition in all parts of the world. Event hunter gatherer cultures would help mold the landscape by encouraging certain seeds to grow in certain places through their gathering activities. Saving seed allows farmers and gardeners to select the genetics that they value and continue to grow that variety. It is a bank account that if carefully tended will bring a rich bounty every year for generations. The skill of seed saving is all but lost and it’s no wonder why…in many places, saving seed and sharing them is illegal.
Yes…illegal.
Now, I am not going to get into what makes something illegal and why, or that many illegal acts are in fact the right thing to do and many legal acts are absolutely heinous. However, I will share this quick link with some information….
And, a google search will help you learn more.
Although where I live, sharing seed is not illegal, the act of saving and sharing seed remains an important way to maintain independence and to build food security. Today…I celebrate the beautiful act of sharing seed.
For the past two years I have been farming. I have run a 110 person CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm and have grown thousands of pounds of food each year. However, as I move off grid, I have made the decision not to grow veggies for others this year and to instead focus on growing food for my own family exclusively. We are going to truly homestead this year.
However, last year I purchased enough seed to last me many years in farming. It is cheaper to buy bulk and most vegetable seeds will last more than one season. So, I am left with enough seed to run a 100 person farm for about 3 years…or to supply my family with seed for our needs for 100 years. Far too much. I have chosen to do 4 things with this seed. First, I am saving enough back for my family garden for 2 years. Why two years? I will be saving seed this coming season, but, if for some reason a crop fails, I will still have seed for the following year. And, some crops require a two year growing period before they will produce seed. This way I will have enough to last me until I have enough seed to continue in perpetuity.
The second thing I am doing with all of this seed is setting up two other small CSA farms with the seed they will need for their growing season. Seed is a big cost for farms and not having to pay the full seed bill in a season is a great gift.
Third, I will be taking some seed to a Seedy Saturday event that I am hosting in the closest town to me and will be sharing some at the seed swap table.
And finally, I will be trading seed with people that I know. This is such a rewarding act. I am blessed to be sharing seed with my neighbours @carey-page and @wwf. They happened to have tomato seed which I was solely lacking after a bad tomato harvest this past year. And they need other root crop seeds which I have in abundance.
I am also trading seed with @karenfoster (you can see her absolutely lovely offer to send seeds to gardeners across Canada on Steemit here… https://steemit.com/homesteading/@karenfoster/need-seeds-i-got-you-seed-sharing-in-canada). I am excited to share some herb seeds with Karen too.
Beyond the fact that seed saving and sharing is an act of independence in a world where these skills are being lost so very rapidly, and an act of rebellion against draconian rules in many places, saving and sharing seed is an investment. By focusing on collecting and caring for seeds I have peace of mind. I have food for another entire year. Considering that when I was buying organic food for my family of 6 I was paying over 1000 dollars a month for food, my seeds are equivalent to 120,000 dollars over the next ten years. That’s a pretty amazing investment in our health and security.
I look forward to sharing more with you here regarding our journey to tend our plant friends and save seed for the coming year. And, I look forward to hearing about your seed saving and seed sharing adventures.
From my home fire to yours, hai hai.
The mere concept of ban on seed saving is obnoxiously repugnant. I think though it is not so much a question of money and profit than it is of power and control. Who controls the food, controls everything. I start seeing red just thinking about it. 😡
What's next, privatizing the air we breathe and the space our bodies occupy?
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It is alarming for sure. I agree, controlling food production is a very insidious form of control. All the more reason to save seed!
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I can't believe the stupidity of not allowing saving and sharing seeds. This was done for generations by our ancestors. Saving and sharing seeds is a big cost savings to the homesteaders. The infinite wisdom of law makers never ceases to amaze me.
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It really is baffling from a human survival standpoint. However, when you look at it from a capitalist stand point it starts to be a bit more understandable. How will anyone make money off of seeds if people don't need to buy them?
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Would you please tell me how you are storing your seeds for more than one season? I have tried in the past to save seeds for more than one year and it didn't work out so well. Usually I leave them in the package and store them in a cool place.
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Hey there,
This is what I'm doing too. I store them in a dark dry place (a rubbermaid tote) in a cool place. I do sometimes test germination before seeding. Some crops simply don't do well from one year to the next, but I've saved enough back that I should be good. It will be important that I save seed this year!
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I was told to put in a sealed jar and store them in a cool place. That year nothing came up. I had to start all over. I very much agree with your method. I think they need air around them.
Thank you for sharing your process.
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I wish I could trade some with you, but I am too far away and customs... dun dun dunn
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Saving seeds is a great hobby and every farm or homestead should grow most of there own seed if possible. Your own seed from plants that you grow on your own land will grow better that anything you can buy if you keep seeds from your best heirloom plants.
Making seeds illegal should be a crime.
Thanks for posting
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Agreed! Heirloom plants are so important. As is preserving the genetic diversity that they hold.
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