Saving Our Seeds

Seed activist Bevin Cohen takes a deep dive into the hows and whys of the modern seed saving movement. A great how-to guide, leading the reader step by step through the process of saving their seeds from 43 different crops. Seed savers of all levels will benefit from Bevin's easy to follow instructions.

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. Over half of Canadian households grow fruits, herbs, vegetables or flowers for personal use, according to Statistics Canada. 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.

A complete seed-saving guide of 160 vegetables, including detailed info on each vegetable.

Seed saving guru Caleb Warnock guides you through the process of saving your own seeds and cultivating a garden all your own. Discover the secrets to saving seeds from more than thirty vegetable varieties, from brussels sprouts to sunchokes and everything in between. He explains •The difficulty level of saving that kind of seed. •Which other varieties will cross-pollinate with the seed. •The minimum number of plants you’ll need for a good seed crop. •How to harvest the seeds and make them usable. Use this guide to become a more self-sustaining gardener and create a wealth of seeds your family can use for years to come!

My reason for writing this book is to share my experiences with the hope that someone reading it will appreciate the fact that one can change for the better. Our young men and women are facing insurmountable odds of surviving in our communities. I read a report from the Centers for Disease Control, which states the US saw the highest rate of gun-related deaths in more than twenty-five years. Firearm murders increased most among youth and young adults--40 percent for those ten to twenty-four. The increases were also highest for people of color. Rates of homicide involving Black males ages ten to twenty-four years were already twenty-one times as high as white males of the same age. Crime as a whole is on the increase. Long-standing systemic inequities and structural racism limit economic and education opportunities. They contribute to unfair and avoidable health disparities among some racial and ethnic groups. So I'm sending out the SOS (Save Our Seeds).

Discover the power of seed saving and learn how to use heirloom seeds to ensure a diverse, healthy garden. Whether you are starting out or have you tried your hand at gardening in the past, this book will teach you how to create a self-sustaining garden that will provide food security for your family even in uncertain times. Unlock the secrets behind successful seed saving and become the ultimate green thumb! When it comes to the health of ourselves and our family, nutrition is crucial. With the rising cost of food prices, food insecurity and the depleting nutrients in our food, many people are eager to learn the life-changing skill of food preservation and home-gardening. This book unveils expert secrets to harvesting, saving, germinating and growing seeds for delicious, nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Written by a long-time home gardener and master prepper, "The Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving" is your key to obtaining a life of food security and self-sufficiency. Learn from my decades of experience. This book features actionable, easy instructions designed with new gardeners and seed-savers in mind. Learn with step-by-step instructions on everything from collecting and drying seeds, to storing and germinating them, and unique rarely shared tips you won't find elsewhere. I refuse to gatekeep information that people need to hear, considering what may come in the months and years ahead. The ability to possess your own food bank creates security, is anxiety-reducing, and so empowering! The Beginner's Guide to Seed Saving book will literally set you up for a life of freedom and sustainability. This guide provides all the information you need to get started with seed-saving and unlock the full potential of your garden. Here's a sneak peek of what you'll learn: Book I. Introduction to Seed Saving: Discover the Importance of Seed Saving in Gardening, and the benefits of creating a personal seed bank Book II. Understanding Seeds and Their Life Cycle: Uncover the anatomy of a seed, pollination and germination Book III. Choose the Right Plants for Seed Saving Like an Expert: Seed Types and Differences, Techniques to Keep Genetic Seed Purity Book IV. Easy Seed Harvesting - Learn the secrets to effectively collecting seeds Book V. Seed Cleaning and Processing: Best Seed Cleaning Methods and Tools You Will Need Book VI. Seed Drying and Storage by Plant Type: The Best Conditions and Techniques For Storing - Seed Drying Book VII. Establishing and Managing a Seed Bank Creating the Best Storage Environment for Your Seed Bank Book VIII. Germinating Saved Seeds to Grow Plants That Thrive! Book IX. Overcoming Common Seed Saving Issues: Dealing with Cross-Pollination and Unwanted Variations, pest control, etc. Book X. Expanding Beyond Your Garden: Expert tips This guide is packed with detailed instructions, easy solutions to pesky problems, expert tips, handy tricks, and clever ideas to help you save the seeds from vegetables, fruits, and herbs of all kinds. This invaluable asset is your key to cultivating a flourishing, eco-friendly oasis that's both rewarding and sustainable. Take this unique opportunity to create flourishing greenery that revitalizes not only your home, but also our planet's future. Make the most out of your backyard (or front yard) garden and gain skills that you can take with you into the rest of your life and pass down to your loved ones! Grab a copy of and start planting the roots of abundance! Makes a thoughtful gift too!

How home gardeners with limited time and garden space can reclaim the joy and independence of seed saving Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener explores how seed saving is not only easier than we think, but that it is essential for vibrant, independent, and bountiful gardens. Many home gardeners refuse to eat a grocery store tomato, but routinely obtain seeds commercially, sometimes from thousands of miles away. And while seed saving can appear mysterious and intimidating, even home gardeners with limited time and space can experience the joy and independence it brings, freeing them from industry and the annual commercial seed order. Coverage includes: Why seed saving belongs in the home garden Principles of vegetative and sexual reproduction Easy inbreeding plants, including legumes, lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers Plants with a few more challenges, including squash, spinach, onions, and parsley Brief discussion of more difficult crops, including corn, carrots, and cabbage. Written by a home seed saver for the home seed saver, Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener is a comprehensive guide for those who want to reclaim our seed heritage, highlighting the importance of saving seeds for you, your neighbors, and most importantly, subsequent generations.

Beginner's Guide to Saving Seeds is a guide to saving seeds that every gardener will want in their library. While commercial produce suppliers are looking for produce that will last a long time and that travels well, you will be enjoying the bounty of crops that are ideal for your location and that tastes great. When following the seed saving instructions in this practical seed gathering guide, gardeners can easily save seeds eliminating the cost of buying seeds at the store while providing their family with wholesome garden produce. Beginner's Guide to Saving Seeds is a practical book that you can follow throughout the growing and harvesting season. The book contains seed saving instructions from how to prepare your garden to get the best results to how to save seed over the winter. Each seed saving instruction is broken down in detail so that the gardener never gets any ugly surprises. Learn the seed saving supplies that you will need the most and how to construct seed saving supplies from common things you may already have around your home Learn when and how to plant your seed saving crops for maximum results. In addition, the seed saving guide contains instructions on common pests and diseases that may get in the way, along with the most beneficial insects that you need to encourage to live in your garden. Harvesting at just the right moment is crucial and this seed saving guide covers all the details that you need to know the most. Learn why seed moisture testing is vital to seed gathering success and how to conduct this test from the comfort of your home using basic seed saving equipment. When its time to harvest your seeds, gardeners find practical advice on the best seed saving containers and methods. Get started saving seeds today by ordering your copy today.