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#heirloomseeds — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #heirloomseeds, aggregated by home.social.

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  1. The Watermelon Is Innocent

    The knife goes through a seedless watermelon the way an argument goes through a lazy afternoon: no resistance, no interruptions, nothing to spit. Somebody at the picnic table always ruins it. This summer the ruin arrives as a warning passed hand to hand across the internet: every seedless bite is a serving of your own impending death, because a fruit without seeds is a future without planting, and a future without planting is a population that eats only what it is sold. Subscribe to eat, the warning goes, or starve on schedule. The charge deserves a trial. Half of it is theater. The other half is the most important story in agriculture, and the theater keeps pointing at the wrong defendant. […]

    bolesblogs.com/2026/09/07/the-

  2. #UMaineCooperativeExtension - Bulletin #2750, An Introduction to #SeedSaving for the #HomeGardener

    By Mark Hutton

    "Rediscovering Seed Saving

    "Seed saving is an ancient art that enabled humans to cease being hunter-gatherers. Up until the end of World War II, home gardeners typically saved their own seeds, because high-quality seeds at affordable prices were generally not available. However, seed saving declined with the development of the commercial seed industry, which made low-cost, high-quality vegetable and flower seeds readily available. Presently, renewed interest in #heirloom, unique, and locally adapted vegetable and flower varieties is sparking a resurgence in seed saving.

    "Seed-saving is a natural next step for passionate gardeners. Saving seeds not only allows home gardeners to save money; it provides them with an opportunity to express their creativity! This is because saving seed is a form of selection—the very basis of plant breeding. When choosing which plants to save seed from, a gardener must decide which plants have the most desirable characteristics in terms of meeting their goals for plant size, yield, fruit quality, maturity date, attractiveness, etc., thus helping to improve the offspring. When you save seed from your garden, you can create a cultivar uniquely suited to your location, your aesthetic sensibilities, and culinary tastes. Saving seeds takes time, planning, and attention to detail. Here are some basics to get you started on your seed saving adventure."

    Learn more:
    extension.umaine.edu/publicati

    #SolarPunkSunday #UMaine #Maine #GrowYourOwn #Seeds #HarvestingSeeds #HeirloomSeeds #Gardening #HomeGardens

  3. #SeedSaversExchange - #SeedSaving

    Whether you’re new to seed saving or want to brush up on the time-honored practice, these seed-saving basics are a smart place to start

    "Why Save Seeds?

    Have you ever tried to save seeds from your crops? While the topic may seem daunting, anyone can do it! Not only is seed saving practical, it’s also very rewarding and essential for biodiversity preservation."

    Topics include:

    #KnowYourPlants
    #IsolationMethods
    Understanding #SeedMaturity
    Harvesting and Cleaning Seeds
    Dry #SeedProcessing
    #StoringSeeds

    Includes a lot of information about common plants (tomatoes, peppers, squash, okra, cucumbers, corn), and instructional videos!

    FMI:
    seedsavers.org/learn/seed-savi

    #SolarPunkSunday #PreservingSeeds #SeedSwaps #SeedSaving #GrowYourOwn #HeritageFarms #SSE #Biodiversity #PreservingBiodiversity #HeirloomPlants #HeirloomSeeds

  4. Growing #HopiBlueCorn from Bliss Farm

    "Welcome to Bliss Farm, where tradition meets sustainable agriculture. Here, we take pride in cultivating Hopi Blue Corn, an ancient variety that’s not only rich in history but also in flavor and nutrients. Whether you're a home gardener or a curious chef, this guide will walk you through how we grow and care for our Hopi Blue Corn and how you can do it too!

    We hope you enjoy your corn and remember; 1 SEED HAS THE POTENTIAL OF PRODUCING 100's OF NEW SEEDS!

    Why Hopi Blue Corn?

    Hopi Blue Corn is more than just a crop; it's a cultural treasure that has been grown by the Hopi people of the American Southwest for centuries. Known for its striking blue color and high nutritional value, this corn is prized for its versatility in the kitchen, from making tortillas to cornmeal, and even for brewing traditional beverages.

    Key Benefits:

    - Rich in antioxidants: Blue corn has a higher antioxidant content than yellow corn, making it a healthier choice.

    - Cultural heritage: You’re growing a piece of history, connecting with ancient traditions.

    - Diverse uses: Whether for baking, cooking, or decorative purposes, Hopi Blue Corn is as versatile as it is beautiful.

    How We Grow Hopi Blue Corn

    At Bliss Farm, we believe in sustainable, organic farming methods to preserve the purity of this heirloom variety. Our growing process is a mix of tradition, respect for nature, and modern agricultural practices.

    1. Planting Season

    We plant Hopi Blue Corn in late spring, once the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F. Corn is a warm-weather crop, and this variety thrives in sunny, well-drained soil.

    2. Soil Preparation

    The success of Hopi Blue Corn starts with the soil. We enrich our fields with organic compost and natural fertilizers, ensuring the soil is rich in nutrients. Corn is a heavy feeder, so this step is critical for a successful harvest.

    3. Spacing & Planting

    Each corn stalk needs space to grow. We plant the seeds in rows 12-18 inches apart with 24 inches between rows. This allows the plants to reach their full potential without competition for sunlight and nutrients.

    4. Watering

    Hopi Blue Corn is drought-tolerant, a trait that has been passed down through generations. However, in the early stages, we make sure the plants get plenty of water, particularly during germination and pollination. After the corn is established, it can survive on less water than most other varieties.

    5. Pollination

    Corn is wind-pollinated, so proper spacing is important for effective pollination. At Bliss Farm, we allow nature to take its course, ensuring that our crops benefit from the natural environment around them.

    6. Pest Management

    We use organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects and practicing crop rotation. This reduces the need for synthetic chemicals, ensuring that our corn remains as natural as possible.

    Harvesting Hopi Blue Corn

    After 100-120 days, the corn is ready for harvest. We wait until the kernels are fully mature and the husks have dried. The corn is then carefully hand-harvested and laid out to dry further before it’s ready for use.

    How to Grow Hopi Blue Corn in Your Garden

    You can easily grow Hopi Blue Corn at home! Here are some tips from our farm to yours:

    - Choose a sunny spot: Corn needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily to thrive.

    - Plant in groups, not rows: This helps with wind pollination.

    - Water regularly but don’t overwater: While Hopi Blue Corn is #DroughtResistant, it still needs sufficient water in the early stages.

    - Watch for pests: Keep an eye out for #CornEarworms and other common pests. Organic #InsecticidalSoap can help keep them at bay.

    - Harvest when dry: Once the husks are brown and dry, your blue corn is ready to pick."

    Source:
    blissfarmca.com/education/nati

    #SolarPunkSunday #NativeSeeds #HeirloomSeeds #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #DroughtResistantCrops

  5. Tired of buying seeds every year? Start saving your own! 🌱 It's a powerful act of self-reliance, preserves unique family heirloom varieties, & connects you to generations of growers. Build food security, grow resilient plants, & nurture biodiversity right in your garden. #SeedSaving #HeirloomSeeds

  6. The other reason I'm growing those two varieties is that I have plenty of Golden Corn and Popcorn kernels that are dry and viable (I sprouted a couple of each last year). But I only have a few kernels of the Strawberry Popcorn and the Hopi Blue Corn.

    #SolarPunkSunday #HeirloomCorn #HeirloomSeeds #SeedSaving

  7. 3rd Annual #SouthGeorgia #SeedSwap

    Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 (11 AM to 2:30 PM)

    "2026 is a monumental year... a year to embrace our past, and to cultivate a connection with our agrarian heritage and our community. We’re excited to announce that we will again be hosting the South Georgia Seed Swap at #GeneralCoffeeStatePark! Rain or shine join us February 28th!

    Meet at the #RelihanMuseumAndNatureCenter. We encourage all who plan to join us to bring some #NonGMO, #heirloom, or #NativeSeeds to swap with others in attendance. If you have old local varieties we especially hope you'll attend and share!

    Presentations on heirloom seeds and seed saving will take place throughout the event. There will be tables, chairs, and plenty of good conversation. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a novice, this is a wonderful learning event.

    Admission: FREE
    Standard parking fee required
    Event Phone: 912-384-7082 "

    Source:
    facebook.com/GeneralCoffeeSP/p

    #SolarPunkSunday #Georgia #Seedsharing #GrowYourOwn #HeirloomSeeds #NonGMOSeeds #SharingKnowledge #BuildingCommunity

  8. A pledge and the associated values for achieving positive global transformation. The page also includes the questions for any individual and/or organization to ask in any situation where the proper application of these values and/or pledge needs clarity.

    onecommunityglobal.org/one-com

    #GrowYourOwnFood #HomeGardening #SustainableLiving #OrganicFarming #HeirloomSeeds #Carrots #FoodSecurity

  9. Want to grow your own food? Here is a page dedicated to growing carrots. It includes descriptions of a diversity of heirloom varieties, cultural considerations, planting guidelines, where to buy seeds, preparation and preservation resources, and even recipes.

    onecommunityglobal.org/carrots/

    #GrowYourOwnFood #HomeGardening #SustainableLiving #OrganicFarming #HeirloomSeeds #Carrots #FoodSecurity

  10. Found this through the #PennState Extension web page...

    #SeedSaversExchange - #SeedSaving: Introduction

    "Why Save Seeds?

    Have you ever tried to save seeds from your crops? While the topic may seem daunting, anyone can do it! Not only is seed saving practical, it’s also very rewarding and essential for biodiversity preservation.

    Why save seeds?

    - You increase your #SelfReliance.
    - You connect to nature and your food.
    - You save money on future seeds.
    - You establish ties to history.
    - You adapt varieties to your local climate.
    - Saved seeds make great personal gifts.
    - You help preserve #biodiversity.
    - You join a unique and large community of seed savers!

    Seed Saving at Seed Savers Exchange

    Saving seeds is integral to our mission at Seed Savers Exchange. It’s right there in our name! At our Heritage Farm headquarters, we steward a living collection of over 20,000 different varieties of seed crops, potatoes, garlic, grapes, and apples. Learn more about preservation at SSE.

    There is inherent value in all of the seeds we work to protect. Some of the plants we preserve have a strong cultural history. Others possess unique culinary properties, and others display resilience to climatic events or invasive pests. Read seed stories from the collection.
    Rows of large metal shelves full of boxes with many seed packets
    The seed bank at Heritage Farm

    By saving your own seeds, you play an important part in carrying out our collective mission. It’s up to all of us to lend a hand by saving and sharing seeds. Other ways to support SSE.

    You don’t have to save seeds alone! By saving seeds, you join a community of countless other gardeners with similar interests. SSE facilitates the largest free seed swap between home gardeners like yourself. Through the Exchange, gardeners can request seeds from other gardeners, and list their own to share!"

    Saving seeds also gives you a special opportunity to make an impact in your own community. Join or start a local #SeedLibrary, attend or host a #seedswap and connect with local gardeners!

    Through the Community Seed Network, co-created by SSE, you can connect with other gardeners. You will also find extensive resources on creative ways to share seeds within your community."

    Learn more [includes isolation methods, know your plants, harvesting and cleaning seeds]:
    seedsavers.org/learn/seed-savi

    #SolarPunkSunday #SeedSaving
    #HarvestTime #Harvesting #SeedSavers #FoodSecurity #GrowYourOwn #HeirloomSeeds #HeirloomPlants

  11. A step-by-step guide to #SavingSeeds

    by Maud Powell, March 2010

    "Summer and autumn are the seasons when many gardeners and farmers are out in their fields collecting vegetable, fruit and flower seeds for the next season. Seed saving is an excellent way to engage in the worldwide movement to preserve some of the older 'heirloom' varieties of seed.

    "During the past two decades, many seed companies have consolidated, and regulations regarding the patenting of seed varieties have been loosened. As a result, seed companies routinely drop older varieties for newer ones, which are usually hybridized and/or patented.

    "Organized grassroots #SeedSaving efforts, as well as inspired gardeners and farmers, have done an excellent job of saving many heirloom varieties.

    "Seed saving is also a great way to develop seed lines that are well adapted to a particular environment. Saving seed from the healthiest plants year after year enables growers to select for traits that are most suitable for their growing conditions.

    "Finally, seed saving encourages a deeper understanding of the life cycle of plants. We rarely see certain vegetable plants, such as lettuce, onions and carrots, in the reproductive stage of their lives. Saving seed provides growers with an education in plant genetics and breeding, which is usually left to universities and seed companies. Following are the four basic steps to saving seed."

    Read more:
    extension.oregonstate.edu/gard

    Español version:
    extension.oregonstate.edu/es/g

    #SolarPunkSunday #HarvestTime #Harvesting #SeedSavers #FoodSecurity #GrowYourOwn #SeedExchange #SharingEconomy #OSUExtensionService #OregonStateUniversity #HeirloomSeeds #HeirloomPlants

  12. Awake in the wee, dark hours, after a day of more movement (labor? in a slow, micro-task sort of way) than this creaky, degraded ecosystem of a bod is used to-why??? I should be zonked, hard, straight on till morning. But no.

    Of course I hop on the web to search for info.

    Found a new seed company! Anyone know of these folx? Heirloom, open-pollinated seeds.

    "We're More Than A Seed Store, We're A REVOLUTION!"

    allianceofnativeseedkeepers.co

    #Indigenous
    #HeirloomSeeds
    #permaculture
    #solarpunk

  13. This event combines two timely topics close to my heart -- #MaineFarms and #Palestine!

    Tomato Seed Processing Workshop

    Saturday, August 16, 2025
    1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

    #Frith =Farm
    61 Ash Swamp Road
    #ScarboroughME

    "Come to Frith Farm in Scarborough for an afternoon of learning, community building, and #DirectAction, as we lend our hands to harvesting and processing these sacred seeds.

    "Chloe Hettinger is a seed grower for the #PalestineHeirloomSeedLibrary's #SeedProtectorProject, a project rooted in #Battir, #Palestine and the United States.

    "She will begin the event by speaking about the importance of preserving #heirloom vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and hold a conversation for folks to explore and share their own inherited #foodways.

    "The hand-on portion of the event will include harvesting from a seed crop of heirloom tomatoes, processing the seeds from the fruit, and demonstrating the fermentation process that allows tomato seeds to be saved.

    "This event is in partnership with the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, and is supported by the #RealOrganicProject."

    RSVP here...
    eventbrite.com/e/tomato-seed-p

    #MaineEvents #FreePalestine #SeedSaving #HeirloomSeeds #PreservingCulture

  14. I posted the whole article because of the paywall. I listened to #EllenMacDonald at the #APCAW conference on #EmeraldAshBorer earlier this week. She and #JohnDaigle of #UMaine were facilitating the workshop. This article contains a lot of the same information I learned at the workshop! Seed banks + teaming up with the Wabanaki peoples - modern technology meets traditional knowledge!

    Native seeds preserved, protected to counter surging invasives

    Calling all home gardeners and eco enthusiasts! Lend a hand this spring: Assist Wabanaki tribes and scientists fighting to save ash trees or partner up with statewide neighbors through local seed banks.

    March 17, 2025

    "The sun radiated overhead as Tyler Everett surveyed the green hills of the Mi’kmaq Nation in Presque Isle.

    "Ash trees, mainly brown ash, are cultural keystone species for Wabanaki communities and wetland ecosystems in the Northeast. However, they’re under threat due to the spread of the emerald ash borer.

    "This collective of forest caretakers works together to raise awareness of ash trees’ significance and the efforts, such as seed banking, to conserve them. It continues the work the Brown Ash Taskforce set forth 20 years ago after tribal members detected early signs of the invasive pest.

    " 'Emerald ash borer was discovered by basket makers who noticed the trees, whose bark they relied on, looked very unhealthy,' Everett said. 'Our work today still centers around our tribal partners who first sounded the alarm.'

    "#APCAW resembles a national movement, the #IndigenousSeedKeepersNetwork, cultivating solidarity within the matrix of regional grassroots seed #sovereignty projects — collecting, growing and sharing #HeirloomSeeds to promote cultural diversity.

    "Here’s a look at some of the seed lending and preservation happening here in the Maine, from brown ash to Wabanaki flint corn.

    " 'It may be no Doomsday Vault (also known as Svalbard Global Seed Vault),' said Emily Baisden, seed center director at #WildSeedProject. "But we’re doing some great work.'

    "So, what’s a seed bank? Picture a temperature-controlled vault with billions of period-sized seeds in foil packets.

    "Through storage, the goal is to preserve genetic diversity for future use, protect rare species and develop new crop varieties. Not only do seed banks play a role in food security, but also, at their best, they can restore plant communities after natural disasters like droughts or fires and provide valuable insight on how best to combat environmental stress.

    "#SeedBanks operate at the community, national or global level — such as the #PetalmaSeedBank in California, which preserves the region’s agricultural diversity, or the #SvalbardGlobalSeedVault, the global backup for all other seed banks.

    "In the far reaches of the Nordic island of Spitsbergen, the aforementioned 'Doomsday Vault' provides the world’s genebank, kept safe in case some catastrophe threatens the planet’s crops. If seed banks are a computer’s filing system, where documents are stored, Svalbard is the external hard drive.

    "Enter Maine’s Wild Seed Project, an APCAW partner organization. The group hand collects and distributes 3 million seeds representing over 100 species of Northeast native plants yearly.

    " 'Long-term seed banking requires #cryopreservation, akin to flash freezing,' Baisden said. 'It allows seeds to last for decades, if not longer. … We try not to store seeds for more than four years at Wild Seed. We dry them, place them in jars and label them by location. The newest are sold, and the older ones are used in our Seeds for Teachers program.'

    "Baisden acknowledged the correlation between landscape management and biodiversity. When native plants disappear, likely through urbanization, the insects that depend on and coevolve with them also decline, as do the animals that rely on those insects (like birds).

    " 'Most seeds sold in garden centers are propagated through clonal reproduction,' Baisden said. 'This minimizes genetic diversity, and as we know, #biodiversity is crucial for communal stability.'

    "For a long time, the horticulture industry pushed to introduce non-native species that lacked natural predators and could quickly reproduce. Later, when forests were clear-cut in the 1900s, trees like the brown ash fell to the wayside, and non-native vegetation crept in.

    " 'Maine, so far, is the only state with non-quarantine habitats free from emerald ash borer,' Baisden said. 'Studying these helps us plan ahead and learn. We hope that by working with #BasketMakers, foresters and scientists, we can store or distribute emerald ash borer–resistant seeds.”

    Management shaped by Indigenous wisdom

    "The spread of emerald ash borer has already caused 99% brown ash tree mortality in parts of Turtle Island, a small island between Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Point.

    "As a group committed to science-informed strategies that align with Wabanaki priorities, APCAW has been collecting seeds (viable for up to eight years) from 46 healthy ash trees to store in a refrigerator at the University of Maine in Orono.

    "As Everett noted, Indigenous people have long used brown ash as the primary material for #basketry, valuing its soft, splinty texture as ideal for weaving. The brown ash tree is also part of one of the #Abenaki origin stories.

    " 'Brown ash was the root from which all #Wabanaki people emerged,' Everett said.

    "The species’ decline evokes deep emotion. Recognizing this, Indigenous communities are at the forefront of APCAW outreach and land-management strategies.

    "Program registration links are first shared with tribal partners, and they are often invited to co-facilitate or lead the event discussions. Occasionally, exclusive gatherings are held to allow basket weavers to connect in a more intimate setting.

    " 'My job is to engage in a dialogue with our tribal partners and address any reactions they have,' Everett said. 'There’s a strong sense of responsibility to save brown ash, but opinions vary. Some hesitate about allowing the seeds to be stored outside the community.'

    "Everett is currently drafting a document to serve as a resource for the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, #Mikmaq, #Passamaquoddy and #PenobscotNations. By spring 2026, he hopes to publish a public report acknowledging the priorities of Maine’s #Wabanaki people.

    "#EllaMcDonald, a colleague of Everett, has centered her master’s thesis on the effectiveness of APCAW’s outreach efforts in inspiring action that benefits both the Wabanaki people and their native forests’ ecosystems.

    " 'Out west, we’ve already seen devastating mortality rates of brown ash,' McDonald said. 'It’s just a matter of time before our situation escalates.'

    "The group is focused on a project that will test the resistance of native trees to the emerald ash borer next fall in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. This involves working with private #landowners, who will be asked to grow ash seeds and monitor their growth over time to assess their survival capacity.

    "McDonald encouraged readers to get involved. The UMaine website will soon feature a map with priority areas for seed collection and locations where kits with all the necessary materials can be picked up. Those curious can contact [email protected] or sign up for the newsletter to receive updates on upcoming events.

    " 'We are witnessing an unprecedented change,' McDonald said. 'What inspires me is to see groups across sectors working together to prepare. So many people genuinely care about our environment. … Together we can make a difference.'

    Get involved

    "Wild Seed Project held its first online seed-sowing demonstration in November 2021. Now, it offers a range of in-person programs and community events. Courtesy of Wild Seed Project

    "There are a few options to join the movement.

    "Locals can donate resources to area seed banks, like the Wild Seed Project, or research projects, like APCAW.

    "Or harness the power of the dollar and purchase #NativeSeeds for a #rewilding project or #AbenakiFlintCorn, a product that honors seed keepers of the past and pays royalties to APCAW.

    "To get involved through volunteerism, the Wild Seed Project actively seeks #SeedStewards to collect, clean, process and package seeds.

    " 'The nonprofit is also building a first-of-its-kind Native Seed Center at Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s Turkey Hill Farm, where plants will grow among natural seed banks, along the woodland edge and throughout the farmstead meadow. To donate, visit wildseedproject.com/the-native-seed-center.

    Source [paywall]:
    pressherald.com/2025/03/17/nat

    #SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge #NativeAmericanBasketry #Sustainability #IndigenousStewardship #CulturalPreservation #InvasiveSpecies #EAB #PreservingNature #Biodiversity #PreservingTheSacred #PreservingTheForest

  15. My beans are sprouting. This is an Appalachian greasy grits pole bean. It's my first time trying this variety, which someone recommended to me a couple of years ago. #Beans #HeirloomSeeds #PoleBeans

  16. Tired of buying seeds every year? Start saving your own! 🌱 It's a powerful act of self-reliance, preserves unique family heirloom varieties, and connects you to generations of growers. Build food security, grow resilient plants, and nurture biodiversity right in your garden. #SeedSaving #Gardening #HeirloomSeeds #SustainableLiving

  17. Unfortunately, they are no longer able to ship to Canada.

    Distributing FREE #HeirloomSeeds to the public.

    "Encouraging #Sustainability, #SelfReliance & #SpeciesPreservation"

    Your donations & support make this possible!

    "We should be able to ship to the following countries without restriction
    we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information as your country can change it's rules anytime.

    "Please be sure to verify & comply with the importation rules of your country before requesting

    Bahamas
    Bermuda
    Iceland
    Norway

    "Other countries will likely require at least a phytosanitary certificate to import seeds. Envelopes will be marked as having seeds in them & will likely be rejected at the border if your country is not on this list."

    freeheirloomseeds.org/

    #FreeSeeds #FreeHeirloomSeeds #SolarPunkSunday #SeedySunday #GardeningForPollinators #Gardening

  18. #Tennessee: #NashvillePublicLibrary #SeedExchange

    "The Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach, and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church, or community garden. The best part about our Seed Exchange: it’s free! All you need is a library card."

    Borrow Seeds

    "Use your library card to borrow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds at Main Library and select branches. Find a Seed Exchange location near you. Borrowing seeds is free. All you need is a Nashville Public Library card."

    Grow Plants

    "NPL’s Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church or community garden. We’re also working with local farmers, gardeners and community agencies to offer free gardening workshops throughout the year."

    Return Seeds

    "Once the season is over, harvest seeds from your garden and return them to the library. We ask that you follow certain protocol when harvesting seeds to share with the Seed Exchange. We want people who take seed to get what was on the label and we want to protect from passing on disease.

    "Additionally, we are always looking for #OpenPollinated, #HeirloomSeeds from anyone in the community who is willing to share, a little or a lot.

    "Our Seed Protocol [linked below] includes guidelines for properly saving and preparing seeds to share."

    library.nashville.org/events/s

    Seed protocol:
    library.nashville.org/about/po
    #SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #BuildingCommunity #Gardening

  19. HT @ironcladlou

    "Someone just gave me a heads-up about this site… Free heirloom seeds for starting your garden? 🧐

    freeheirloomseeds.org/

    This seems like a really cool organization"

    #SolarPunkSunday #SeedySunday #HeirloomSeeds #Gardening

  20. This Russian heirloom dryland rice is well adapted to a short season, cool climate and would probably die if grown in a paddy. Its happy to be grown in the garden and kept moist. Short grained it will make a good sticky rice, that's if I can harvest it all before the mice do. They've already taken a huge swack.

    #duborskianrice #drylandrice #ricegrowing #growingrice #rice #coolclimategrowing #homesteading #prepping #growinggrains #heirloomseeds #heirloomrice

  21. #Maine - Making the most of March with #ThompsonFreeLibrary

    By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library, February 24, 2025

    "March arrives with a built-in tension. The upbeat concept we hold in our minds versus an uncertain reality. Our hope is tinged with a steely resolve to muddle through. 'Winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too,' wrote garden author Jean Hersey. Whether you’re ready to research a spring project or desperately need some escapist fare, the Thompson Free Library in #DoverFoxcroft is here to help you make it through — and even enjoy — this unpredictable month.

    "Nothing heralds the coming of spring like our #SeedLibrary! We offer donated seeds from our community and various other donors. If you have extra seeds from previous years that you don’t need, please bring them in to share with your neighbors. If you’re interested in trying a new type of plant or flower in your garden this year, stop in and check out what we have to offer. Over the years we’ve had donations from Burpee, Fedco, Ripley Farms, Helios Horsepower Farms, Bob’s Hardware, and many, many patrons."

    Source:
    observer-me.com/2025/02/24/new

    Library website:
    thompsonfreelibrary.org/
    #SolarPunkSunday #SeedBanks #SeedLibrary #DoverFoxcroftMaine #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule! #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #CommunityAgriculture #SeedSharing #HeirloomSeeds #MaineLibraries

  22. #SeedLibraries Are Sprouting Up Around the Pine Tree State

    #Maine libraries have added seed “borrowing” to their growing list of resources.

    By Nora Saks, Downeast Magazine, April 2024

    "Among the study tables and the stacks of books and the periodical reading rooms, at public libraries from North Berwick to Milbridge to Bangor, seeds have suddenly taken root in the catalog — often quite literally, with the drawers of stately old card catalogs now used for little packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Whether green-thumbed or plain old green, anyone can drop by for some free garden fodder, which is usually donated by community members, Maine seed companies (like #Johnnys and #Fedco), and garden centers.

    "Seed libraries took off early in the pandemic, as many people turned their attention to tending their homes and gardens. Now, libraries tend to pair seed lending with how-to programming, often in partnership with local garden clubs. Some libraries also encourage 'borrowers' to save seeds from their crop and then drop them off at the end of the growing season, but that’s not a requirement (and there are no late fees).

    "Lisa Ladd, director of Bucksport’s Buck Memorial Library, sees seeds fitting nicely into libraries’ broader mission to make knowledge and resources accessible to the public. 'As libraries continue to evolve, we’re always looking for ways to meet the community outside of our walls and offer programs that touch different ages and all walks of life...'"

    More information (including a list of seed libraries):
    downeast.com/home-and-garden/m

    #SolarPunkSunday #SeedLibraries #SeedBanks #CommunityAgriculture #BigAg #SeedSharing #HeirloomSeeds #MaineLibraries #HeirloomPlants

  23. Community #SeedBanks revive diversity in #India’s Kolli Hills

    By Tamilarasi Krishnan on 24 September 2024

    "Many farmers are now struggling with the high costs of seeds, as the traditional practice of saving a portion of the harvest specifically for seed has largely vanished with the growth of open seed markets. Here, commercially produced varieties offer huge yields but high licensing restrictions, meaning that farmers often cannot save seed as they might have done in the past, because they do not own it.

    "Numerous activists, such as the renowned Vandana Shiva, have voiced concerns over the proliferation of private seed banks in India. Shiva argues that seed monopolies could lead to a loss of diversity, increased seed costs, and a rise in chemical use in seed production. Her advocacy emphasizes the importance of community seed banks in preserving agricultural diversity and supporting local farmers.

    "Despite the dominance of private seed companies, numerous community-based seed banks are now thriving across India, helping farmers to get access to lost varieties without paying high charges. One notable example is the seed bank initiative in Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, which demonstrates the potential of local solutions using native seeds to prevent private firms from dominating the local market.

    "The Kolli Hills region is home to the Mayalali tribes, who have been cultivating traditional millet varieties with the support of community seed banks. The initiative began in 2009 with the establishment of a single seed bank. Today, there are seven such banks operating across the region. These seed banks have successfully conserved over 20 varieties of millet that had not been previously cultivated for nearly a decade."

    Read more:
    rapidtransition.org/commentari

    #SustainableAgriculture #SeedBanks #SeedSaving #SolarPunkSunday #FoodSecurity #FoodSovereignty #BigAg #PlantDiversity #TraditionalPlantVarieties #NonGMO #HeirloomPlants #HeirloomSeeds #CommunityAgriculture

  24. [edit: It’s been brought to my attention that this seed company may have racist, white supremacist, leanings. Despite the inclusive appearance in the catalog, I may want to shop elsewhere. Search on “baker creek seeds controversy” for more information. ]

    Got this awesome catalog for Xmas! Amazing heirloom seeds! Will definitely be ordering some soon.

    #gardening #heirloomseeds #nongmo

    rareseeds.com/

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