Seed Saving

     Happy Solstice.
 Saving seeds is a wonderful dimension to add to growing a farm or garden. This is also another aspect to the growers evolution. There are many reasons for saving one's seeds. It provides a deeper relationship with what you grow. The seeds you grow become your own seed. Being truly sustainable involves securing your germ plasm. Seeds adapt to your growing area and become better suited to your micoenvironment. For me it is one of the ways I can grow optimum quality.  If you grow a quantity, you can save lots of money and hassles with seed companies. I probably save a few hundred dollars a year and my germination rates are very reliable. It offers a new form of wealth culturally and monetarily. Going full circle helps to understand the complete development of the plant. They become part of the plant community I grow in. Going from seed to a new generation of seeds completes the circle of life.
 What we did at Tierra Sonrisa was, We conducted trials on desirable varieties. This took a few years, since I grow over a hundred different types of vegs, flowers, herbs and fruit. I brought some seeds with me with stories from my past. When we found plants with amazing characteristics, so we chose amazing winners. Seeds pass through one's life. I am happy with what I have right now. About 80% of what I grow is from my seed. So I continue to expand and changes are always on the horizon. Seeds carry with them all the makings of a new plant. It just needs water and nourishment. It carries stories from the past and visions of the future. It is waiting for a fresh start at radical growth and enough stamina to carry it through the season.
 One of the best ways to secure seeds is through a supportive community. That can be done with a seed bank or seed lending library that works with local seed savers. It can also be done with friends and fellow growers who support this kind of work, if you are in an area where that interest exists.  
 Start with easy seeds like beans and peas. They are self pollinated. So are peppers and eggplant. The umbellifers produce at the end of their flower tips.This applies to carrots, dill, cilantro.  Squash is easy but different varieties need about on hundred feet of space to prevent cross pollination. Summer squash will not cross with winter squash, which will not cross with cucumbers, which will not cross with melons. Lettuce produces fine seeds once their flower is dried up. Mustard is also fairly easy. This include Chinese greens. Tomatoes prefer fermentation. It is not necessary but helps. Pick over ripe fruits. Bust them open. Place in a jar with a little water. After they ferment, scoop the top off and the good seeds are on the bottom. Rinse and dry. There is much more to this but this is a good place to start.