Save and Exchange Seeds
to Preserve Genetic Diversity

Today, agriculture uses only 20 plant varieties for 90 percent of our food, although there are an estimated 30,000 to 80,000 food plants in existence. Ninety-seven percent of the food plants our grandparents ate at the turn of the century are no longer available.

Farmers and gardeners regularly saved their own seeds until the last 40 years, when business interests aggressively campaigned for hybrids. Since hybrids will not breed true – meaning the seed will either be sterile or unlike the parent plant – the grower must purchase seed every season. Hybrids themselves are not the problem. In fact, they may be used selectively as part of a diversified system. However, hybrid seed is more profitable for companies than open-pollinated seed, and as a result, countless varieties are being lost.

There is no doubt that hybrids have significantly increased production, so why would anyone want to return to open-pollinated varieties? One reason is that they are genetically diverse, while hybrids are genetically identical. This difference can be crucial when diseases or pests strike. When all plants in an area are genetically the same, what destroys one will destroy the entire population. Genetic diversity improves the chances that some will live.

Hybrids are bred for certain traits that are usually not important to the home gardener – for example, tough flesh for transporting, ease of mechanical harvesting, and ripening within a short time period. Also, certain breeding programs are choosing strains that will only grow well with pesticides and petrochemical fertilizers.

Sustainable growing needs to encompass the entire cycle, from soil to seed to plant to seed and back to soil. As you save seed from several generations, you will be selecting from plants that grew vigorously, suffered less from pests, and survived the drought. The seeds you buy cannot suit your site as well as the ones you keep.

When searching for seed, first check your neighbourhood. You may find plants that are suited to your garden, and sharing and trading seeds with local people can build strong community conweather, frost resistance, vigour, performance, appearance, lack of complicaton, day length, days to maturity, time of harvest, ease of harvest, storage, ease of cleaning, ease of preparation, eating quality, nutrition and marketability. You may also consider species that attract beneficial insects.

Make sure to take notes throughout the season. Record keeping will greatly add to your understanding of your garden, preserve valuable information for future growers, and ultimately, save time and stress as you pick plants that require less maintenance and inputs.

Seeds are more than just genetic carriers. Heirloom and open-pollinated varieties reflect years of nurturing and commitment by seed savers from an array of cultures. Passing these tiny storehouses on to the next generation is one of the most valuable gifts each of us can give. Without our help, this beautiful, diverse heritage could be irrevocably lost. Here is to seeds, here is to life!

Recommended Reading:

Seeds of Change – the Living Treasure by K. Ausubel (1994, Harper Collins)

The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener by E. Coleman (1989, Chelsea Green)

Seed to Seed by S. Ashworth (1991, Seed Saver Publications)

The Heirloom Gardener by C. Jabs (1984, Sierra Club Books)

Saving Seeds by M. Rogers (1994, Storey/Garden Way Publishing