I've discovered a new hobby. As an extension of growing flowers and vegetables from seed, I've begun to save seeds from my plants. First, I figured out how to save sunflower seeds by watching the birds. After that, I experimented with a few other flowers in the garden and found that it's quite simple. Once the bloom dies, there is usually some sort of dried pod. Inside the pod, you'll find the seeds. It's pretty neat to grow things from seed. But it's even more amazing to grow things from seed that you saved from something you grew from seed.
This is, incidentally, how it was always done. Farmers saved seeds from their most beautiful or tasty plants and thus kept the best quality varieties alive. In more recent times, seeds apparently no longer belong to nature. They belong, all too frequently, to Monsanto or other large agricultural businesses. These companies invest lots of money into developing genetically modified seeds that suit their growing conditions. Most notably, Monsanto scientists have developed corn varieties that are resistant to pesticides. Not all pesticides, of course; Monsanto pesticides. These genetically modified seeds (hybrids) are patented, which means that it is illegal to save and replant them. And it's not just corn. I saw a hibiscus plant at Home Depot yesterday with a tag warning against reproduction.
I find this very sad and not at all an example of progress or modernism. There's been a lot of talk in this Presidential election about candidates not being owned by lobbyists and Big Business. I'd rather not be owned (or fed) by them either.
I am happy to be a member of and buy my seeds from Seed Savers Exchange and I was pleased to come across the Save Our Seeds pledge at urbanhomestead.org.
S.O.S Pledge
• I pledge to take back control over the most sacred form of plant life - seeds
• I will strive to save my own seeds, encourage self pollination and self seeding “volunteers”
• Refrain from purchasing seed varieties controlled by Monsanto
• Support local seed banks
• Purchase organic, heirloom or open pollinated from independent seed companies who’s mission are to save seed diversity
Share your pledge with the world with this nifty icon - feel free to “save as” and use! Also join other homegrown revolutionaries at our sister site FreedomGardens.org
1 comment:
well welcome back to your blog. I have checked it almost daily then...waa laa...a new post. I have a bag of seeds sitting on my kitchen counter and tonight I looked at them and asked myself--what am I supposed to do with these? Now I have a better understanding and will try to save my seeds.
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