[Arktwo] Seed Supplementary On Storing Seeds

[Bruce Beach]

So we are back again -
to storing seeds.
We have come full circle.

I told you that I would give you
my Canada Seed Supplier list.
Well, it is a short list.
I have only one.

Canada Seed Supplier List

Ecogenesis Inc.
Box 111 Homestead Drive
Mount Hope, Ontario L0R 1W0
phone number toll-free no charge is 1-877-836-3693.
Dr Paul Evering, Founder
ecogenesis@hotmail.com

Certified Organic, Biodynamic and Native Seeds. Ecogenesis offers early,
heirloom and certified organic seed to gardeners. They do not sell hybrid
or genetically engineered seeds. Ecogenesis also offers work to people and
donates seeds to charities. Catalogue $5

---------
I went through the
Seeds of Diversity List
and sent out emails
to 12 Seed suppliers in Ontario.

Dr. Evering is the only one
that responded.

I also told you my experience
with personally calling
the BIG Canadian Seed companies.
One explained to me that
they have bonded together -
that they will NOT sell surplus seed in Canada.
They can't even give it away
in Canada.
It is all sent to Africa.

---------
So -
back to my drum beat.

Buy and store seeds.
Buy and store seeds.
Buy and store seeds.

Heritage seeds preferred.
That means they are open-pollinated.
That they are not hybrids.

Now -
I am going to tell you something
that some people will think
is a terrible thing.

Even store HYBRID seeds.
As many as you can -
if that is what you can get your hands on.
They will often provide you GOOD crops -
and if you are hungry -
that is what you need.

The disadvantage of hybrid -
is that if you plant the seeds
from the product that you grow -
you won't get more of the same.

BUT -
what some people don't realize -
is that you WILL get something.
What you will get are the two kinds
that went into making the hybrid.

Little by little -
you can sort it back out again.
If you become very skilled -
you may even want to grow hybrids again.

There are so many facets
to growing seeds -
that one really needs a lot of skill.
One danger is planting your different varieties -
of say peppers -
too close together.
They may cross pollinate on their own -
and you may lose your pure variety.

For some kinds of plants
to maintain the pure variety
you have to plant them miles apart.
But now -
I have gone clear off into the deep end
about gardening.

This could become
an endless gardening newsletter -
but I am not going to go there.
In the first place -
I don't know much about it.
I just do what I am told.

BUT -
while it would be good
for you to have those skills -
this remains a
survival / reconstruction newsletter.

--------

a. Some suppliers sell 'organic'  seeds. Organic seeds can be hybrid, so you
have to specify 'heritage' in addition to being organic - if you want
organic.

b. Some Heritage seed sellers sell both Heritage and hybrid - so once again
you have to specify 'heritage'.

Then there are HEIRLOOMS.
Well, yes, heirlooms are heritage.
But, by heirlooms -
we simply mean 'old varieties'.
Not necessarily the best.
Leave the requirement for
heirloom and organic
to the SERIOUS SEED SAVERS.

I just want you to store seeds.
Preferably - heritage seeds.
Tell your supplier that you just need a good producing variety.
----------

>From John: (a MAJOR supplier
of information to me -
particularly in the medical field).

 I have purchased from several companies on your list and am a member myself
of the Seed Savers Exchange.  I put my packets of heirloom seeds in a Dazey
plastic bag and heat seal the bag and place in my deep freezer. I figure
they are good for up to 10 years and then should be planted and regrown.
Today, according to Seed Savers Exchange we only have 6% of the seeds that
were advertised in US seed catalogs in 1906, so from 1906 to 2006 we have
gotten down to just 6%. Sad situation for mankind.  Recently a new seed bank
was opened on an Artic island off Sweden or Norway and they are putting away
seeds and have a large cavern that is open to other nations to store their
seeds as well.

----------

Lots of people have written to me
about Bill Gates' seed storage plan

Here is the Wikipedia article about it -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

And here is an article saying that
Bill has spent $30 million dollars on it:

http://www.sikunews.com/art.html?artid=2987&catid=19

Dr. David also wrote to me about Bill's plan.

"At their temperature of minus 4 degrees, some of the seeds may be viable
for more than 1,000 years. For example, barley has been known to last 2,000
years and wheat 1,700 years."
-----------

I haven't had any indication
that Bill is going to send me any seeds -
and if you aren't on his list
to receive seeds either -
then all you have is
old Bruce Beach's storage plan.
Do it yourself.
----------

DY (who is a pillar of support) says:

I am so glad that you brought up the seed issue, my last order is now 9
years old.  I am sure some of them will still be good, I might start with
them for a fall garden.  Just germinate them with paper towels and see if
anything germinates before I try to plant them.  One thing about that method
is the strongest seeds will be the ones that survived.
-------

Laurie says:

By the way, I've had pole bean seeds retain over 95% viability when kept in
the fridge for 10 years... glad you are talking about this issue - thanks!
---------

Linda G. says:

I've been stocking up on my seeds for several years, growing out a
bunch of varieties for fresh seed every year... not so much because
we'll need that much, but as one way I could help contribute to my
community when things get tough.

(She is hoping to bring us some seeds -
and I am hoping also.)
--------

Linda Darlene says:

Thank you for the seed information. Today I went to WM and bought every seed
packet they had for 10 cents. Put them in freezer zip locks and into the
freezer. I've already got seedlings started from ones I planted a while back
so I know they are 'alive'. I do have some nitrogen packed seeds too along
with dehydrated food nitrogen packed. God bless! and He does!
------------

Tom in Tennessee writes:

I am a seed nut it seems, but I keep 5 years of seed in the deep freezer for
a large garden for each year saved. I just threw away 1996 seeds, but
planted my garden from seeds from 1999. I have 5 gallon buckets with lids
packed to the brim for 2001,2003,2004,2006,and 2007 on "ice. I have never
had a problem with any of my seeds sprouting and growing normally. I do make
the additional step of placing all packages in freezer bags for additional
protection that has all the air drawn out. I will wait till after the season
and prep another bucket for 2008. Another tip for corn or beans or okra in
bulk is soda bottles. Two litre for corn and beans and 1 litre for okra.
----------

Several people mentioned

http://www.aaoobfoods.com/nonhybridgardenkits.htm

Which is neat -
if you have the money.
They say about their kits:

Oxygen Absorbers are included in each airtight container for all Vegetable
Patch Seed Kits! We recommend freezing these kits that are packed for long
term storage, if you do not plan to plant them right away. New research has
shown that removing the oxygen lengthens shelf life for seeds and that the
seeds suffer no loss of germination potential, if stored in an oxygen free
environment! Oxygen, Heat and Light destroy shelf life. If you use part of
the seed and are saving some for next year; either vacuum seal the seeds
(removing the oxygen) and freeze them or purchase some oxygen absorbers from
us and repackage the seeds without oxygen in airtight containers such as
canning jars and then refreeze. If you are unable to refreeze, then remember
to store your seeds as cool as possible in a dry, dark room out of direct
sunlight. Seed viability depends upon the storage conditions, the variety of
seed or type of seed. For instance, most grains and beans have a 1 year
shelf life in an oxygen environment at 75 degrees F. or cooler. The cooler
the storage temperature the longer the shelf life. However, if the grain and
bean seeds are packed in airtight containers with oxygen absorbers added,
their shelf life extends to 15-20 years or more at 75 degrees F. or cooler.
----------

I googled seed storage methods -
and you wouldn't believe how many
I found.

I keep ours in a big freezer -
just above freezing.
Others say to freeze.

Some exclude oxygen -
and others think that a little oxygen
is beneficial.

If not freezing -
then a cool dry place at least,
but I will let you select a method
for yourself.

----------
>From Mary:

  I save my heirloom seeds by planting some of them every year and save
seeds from the new crop... Be sure to not plant all your seeds, I save new
packs for another year just in case of crop failure..... You have to be
careful and not plant different types too close together,,, for example
tomatoes in a close area... I'm not sure how far apart is the rule,,, but I
plant mine several hundred yards apart and I haven't had a problem... If you
plant the seeds and save new seeds you don't have to worry about long term
storage... Same with food storage, store what you use and use what you
store,,, ROTATE, ROTATE!!!!!!!!!
----------

Certainly good advice -
but unfortunately -
not good for us.

When you are trying to store
for several thousand people
you can't plant it all -
or consume it all.

Nor even gather it all.
So - if any of you have any extra -
I will appreciate your passing them
this way.
--------------

Laurie says:

 Home canning and other food preservation should be included next!

Hah!
Like I would know about that.
How come you all want to know
about the things my wife knows -
and I don't.

But next time
I will try to give it a shot -
anyway.

I will close
with my drum beat
for one last time -

Buy and store seeds.
Buy and store seeds.
Buy and store seeds.

Peace and love,
Bruce
DawnSayer@webpal.org