Seeds for Sale

Are you drooling over those full-color glossy seed catalogs from across the country? Can you almost taste the fresh ripe tomatoes as you get ready to place your order? My hope for 2008 is that people’s new-found passion for eating locally grown produce will expand into their own gardens. Growing vegetables and flowers with local seed helps preserve valuable plant diversity as well as the fascinating stories that come with these seeds. I’m excited to be working with local artists who are designing the first original Seed Library seed packs. We are creating beautiful seed packages that reflect the uniqueness and diversity of our seeds.

Seeds and Seed Library memberships are available at the Gardiner Library starting February 4^th. Seed can also be purchased at the February and March Winter Sun Farm Markets at Deyo Hall in New Paltz. There is currently no printed catalog, but a list of varieties available for 2008 can be received by emailing Hudson Valley Seed Library at info@seedlibrary.org.

Upcoming seed saving events include a two-day seed saving workshop as part of the Permaculture in Action series at SUNY Ulster in February. Seed Saving and Permaculture go hand in hand- this workshop wil show why and how to integrate seed saving into permaculture landscapes. In May, I’ll be giving a talk called The Full Circle Garden: Seed Saving for Backyard Gardeners, at the Catskill Native Nursery’s Wildflower Festival. The talk will cover easy planning for seed saving, best heirloom plant choices for beginners, seed saving tips, and simple seed storage ideas. The Seed Library will also have a table at the festival with seeds, membership information, and books and vintage seed ephemera to browse and buy.

Check back to the blog to keep up to date with Seed Library events.