Overview

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 Seedsis 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 Seedsis a timely call toensure a more secure future for our seeds and ourselves.

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9781550179002

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This compact but well-stocked guide by Jason (Awesome Ancient Grains and Seeds) addresses both the how-to and why of saving seeds, promoting an ethos of self-sufficiency and stewardship. Jason's wise guide should resonate with gardeners at all levels. -- Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *

This compact but well-stocked guide by Jason (Awesome Ancient Grains and Seeds) addresses both the how-to and why of saving seeds, promoting an ethos of self-sufficiency and stewardship. Jason's wise guide should resonate with gardeners at all levels. -Publishers Weekly Expertly written, impressively informative, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, Saving Seeds: A Home Gardener's Guide to Preserving Plant Biodiversity should be considered a 'must read' instructional guide by dedicated family gardeners. -Midwest Book Review Useful for the beginning seed saver. -Library Journal

This compact but well-stocked guide by Jason (Awesome Ancient Grains and Seeds) addresses both the how-to and why of saving seeds, promoting an ethos of self-sufficiency and stewardship. Jason's wise guide should resonate with gardeners at all levels.

Author Information

Dan Jason lives on Salt Spring Island, BC, where he founded the mail-order seed company Salt Spring Seeds. He has written many popular books about growing and preparing food sustainably, including The Power of Pulses (Douglas & McIntyre, 2016, with Hilary Malone and Alison Malone Eathorne) and Some Useful Wild Plants (Harbour Publishing, 2017).

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