Saving Seeds: A Home Gardener’s Guide to Preserving Plant Biodiversity

by Dan Jason

Much of our food comes from seeds. But where do our seeds come from? And where are they going? For much of human history, farmers saved their own seed stocks to ensure a good harvest from year to year. In the mid-twentieth century, governments became involved in seed saving, creating massive seed libraries cataloguing thousands of varieties. This biodiversity has come under attack in recent decades, as corporations have replaced heirloom varieties with genetic engineering and costly trademarks. In such an agricultural climate, saving seeds becomes both a practical act of preservation and powerful act of protest. Many households grow fruits, herbs, vegetables or flowers for personal use, and each of these home gardens has the potential to preserve vital biodiversity, if only we would let plants go to seed, harvest and preserve them.  Saving Seeds  is a clear and winsome introduction to the essentials of seed saving, from seed selection criteria to harvest and storage tips. It also addresses the role of seed-saving communities: local swaps, seed companies, friends and neighbours and even how the Internet can support this time-honoured practice. In an era of community gardens, farmers markets and renewed interest in heirloom species,  Saving Seeds  is a timely call to  ensure a more secure future for our seeds and ourselves.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2020

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful if brief guide to the importance of growing crops for seed to plant again, not just to eat immediately. It could stand to be a little less preachy, maybe, but this is obviously an issue the author feels strongly about. I'd like to try growing beans for drying! I've only ever grown snap beans, and never saved their seeds. This would be a good starting point; probably those seriously interested in it could find more resources elsewhere. A few related organizations are listed in the back.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 3 was what I was looking for. The rest was fluff that I skimmed. Part 3 had good step by step instructions for seed saving - could have left out most of the rest of the book and then added WAY more plant/seed how to’s IMO

[Dumbass Gardener · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Vancouver Island gardener with the dream of a relatively self-sufficient garden (one day) I really appreciated this book. He adeptly, and succinctly, shows the context of seed saving in the wide world of food production, food security, the move of large agro-chemical corporations towards GM crops, as well as community development and resilience through seed and knowledge exchanges.

The importance of communities preserving seed and plant diversity cannot be overstated, and helps to maintain a local food supply that can withstand major changes and crises.

This book also provides a helpful guide in explaining the actual process of how to collect seeds from your crops and what to look out for to prevent unwanted cross pollination. (In this I realized I have grown way too many varieties of squash at once and need to more carefully plan crop rotations. Always something to learn!)

Overall this book provides very helpful and encouraging food for thought, action and connection.

[Kameryn Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tiny little book packed full of useful and practical information. I didn't realize there were so many different ways that plants produce their seeds!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could not be the only seed book on my shelf as it’s only 88 pages and the introduction and contextual set up requires more than 1/4 of the content. However, what is does offer is a clear and pure love by the author to improve and preserve biodiversity. There are definitely helpful sections and I was particularly interested when Jason tracked the history of Seedy Saturday! I would add this as my ‘west coast’ supplement to a larger reference book.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have said, a little preachy in the beginning. Part 3, the part with actual instructions on how to save seeds, was most helpful to me. I love the idea of doing a seed exchange with other seed savers in the neighborhood, but since I live in a low populated area, I'm not sure how many others I'd find to exchange with me.

[Heather Runnels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I finally know how to save tomato seeds. Another bonus, now I know why my carrot and parsnips never came up. The seeds aren't viable for nearly as long as others. I would love to see a follow-up book about plant propagation. Even better, a book (or special section) about growing mushrooms using spores from grocery store mushrooms.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and punchy. Good information for (probably) beginner gardeners. Not a lot of new stuff brought to the table for others. Would have liked to have seen more in terms of methods of ensuring purity in potential cross pollination situations etc.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book-I am eager to finish it. The author writes knowledgeably about his history of gardening and seed collecting over 40 years and the effect of corporate giants trying to dominate the industry and putting profit ahead of all else.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with highlights of history and tips for saving your own seeds.

[laurena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book of seeds by a man who has dedicated much of his life to them. A sweet and simple gem.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great introduction to not only how to save seeds, but also the importance of it and the communities that have built up around it.

I got a lot out of it and will be referencing back to it as I try to save seeds for the first time this year, as well as reach out to my local seed saving community.

There are a few places where it gets overly preachy regarding the negative impacts of industrial farming, but it does further the narrative of the story being told.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We can stand up for the holiness of the earth and all its wonders. We can ardently and fearlessly learn not to buy into the greed and selfishness that threatens to destroy us. We can save the good seeds that grow healthy food while loving the web of life that makes it all possible...The selves we grow will be the seeds we sow.”

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally in love with the idea of starting a Seed Sanctuary in our comminity! This book gives you the knowledge in a short, easy to understand way, in order to get one started, in a big community way or in your own back yard.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty much an unhappy diatribe about GMO’s.