People have been saving seeds for thousands of years, preserving some of the seeds of the most productive crops to grow again the following year. Practice informal plant breeding by choosing to save seeds from plants that have the best traits like fruit quality, yield, maturity date, disease resistance or other qualities. Being a successful seed saver doesn’t require an advanced degree, but it does demand careful planning and a basic understanding of plant reproduction. This class will provide a helpful overview of the basics of seed saving from the backyard garden. Learn about plant families, the difference between hybrids and open pollinated varieties and how to prevent cross-pollination. Find out what are some of the easiest plants to grow out for seeds. With a little practice you’ll be able to contribute to the seed library we curate and share your homegrown seeds with the community!
Taught by Matt Drewn of Ecology Action. Matt runs the research garden, teaches sustainable agriculture and manages the Victory Gardens for Peace Seed Bank, a collection of over 1600 accessions of locally grown seeds on the coast of Mendocino County. Matt loves seeds and people who love seeds.