Seed saving is a natural extension of gardening. There are lots of reasons to become a seed saver. For one thing, the seed saver gains access to WAY MORE variety, both in garden seeds and unique harvests. Starting out, like many new seed savers, I was enamoured with the huge selection of interesting varieties available. Soon I maxed out my ability to maintain what I had and became frustrated. Over time I adopted a more focused approach to seed saving, which I call “drilling down.”
“Drilling down” means I focus on fewer varieties.
I do limit myself on how many varieties I grow. Humanly speaking, I can’t grow them all, and I’ve also discovered that with too many varieties to maintain, there is a “law of diminishing returns” in regards to the pleasure obtained. After a point I can’t really enjoy what I’m growing if I’m stretched too thinly. When I’m too stretched I also struggle to be organized and do a good job of maintaining seed purity, etc.
“Drilling down” means I really focus on those varieties.
I put in larger plantings of the varieties I do grow and I get to eat a higher percentage of the harvest. I keep track of things like size of leaf, flower color, days to flower and to seed, flavor and texture as well as quirks in growth habit. One thing I really enjoy is to go out to a planting and write down all the observations I can, as I slowly inspect the plants. Also, I take lots of photos. By doing this I often observe details I would normally miss due to lack of time. Then, I take time to compile my observations.
It took me more than 35 Years to Recognize some Key Characteristics of an Heirloom Bean.
Here’s a Summary of Why I Prefer a More Focused Approach to Seed Saving
-
There is an overwhelmingly large selection of varieties, too many for me to master.
-
Native pollinators appear to be on the increase in our garden and cross pollination is more of a problem.
-
Life’s pace isn’t slowing down, and I don’t need the garden to add to the stress.
-
I’ve come to realize that relatively few will treasure those varieties I’ve come to love, so I better do it.
-
Heirlooms get better with age. It’s true. They may come to me with a history, but if I keep them long enough I add to their history.
The Story of Tomato Rocky
-
I enjoy “the quiet life.” Why not learn contentment and the appreciation of what I already have, instead of constantly pursuing more?
-
I like being “the world’s expert” on a given variety! It’s not hard to become that, if one “drills down” on a lesser known variety. Remember, “lesser known” isn’t necessarily “inferior,” it’s just not as well known.
