Why grow and save seeds? Food security requires seed security. Your trusted seed source may not always be able to provide what you want when you want. We had a taste of that at the beginning of the pandemic. In addition:

 

• Commercial seeds are not cheap, and their price is increasing. Grow seeds, save money.

• When you save seeds from the plants that do best, you become a plant breeder, developing varieties suited to your conditions.

• 95% of the commercial vegetable and fruit varieties used in US agriculture prior to the 21st Century have been lost. Seed saving preserves biodiversity that is essential for a resilient agricultural system.

• Seed saving builds community. Seed savers swap seeds and stories and knowledge.

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The BUF Seed Growers Community is a group of gardeners – some with vast experience and some new to the field – who each commit to growing one vegetable variety for seed and contributing half the seed harvest for community use. As a member you:

 

• Grow the plant for seed following best practices for isolation and the number of plants needed for diversity

• Harvest and dry or otherwise process the seed for storage

• Provide half the seed harvest to the BUF for germination testing and distribution to Berea gardeners

 

BUF will provide you with free seeds for your initial planting, information and guidance on how to grow your variety for seed, and a $25 stipend. We will hold occasional seed growers gatherings on the BUF.

 

*Note to beginners: Peas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and eggplant are among the easiest to grow for seed. Requiring more attention to distance from varieties that could cross-pollinate are okra, peppers, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, cantaloupe, watermelon. We can advise on your selection.

 

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Resources

 

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.
A concise 2-page handout on the basics of growing the common vegetable species for seed.
https://www.southernexposure.com/growing-guides/saving-seeds-home-use.pdf

 

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.
A set of seed saving guides.
https://www.southernexposure.com/growing-guides#seed-saving

 

Seed Savers Exchange.
Seed growing and saving basics.
https://seedsavers.org/learn/seed-saving/

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