April 2015
Thank you, volunteers!
It's National Volunteer Week, and once again, we are amazed and humbled by all the incredible work Seeds of Diversity's volunteers have done over the past year. You have shared your seed knowledge at presentations and workshops, rescued precious heritage varieties by saving seeds in your garden, and inspired countless gardeners at Seedy Saturdays and Seedy Sundays. You have written articles for our magazine and ebulletin, photographed seeds, plants, and the people who grew them, and shared your joy about seeds with your friends.
We are a volunteer and member driven organization, and you bring seed saving to life in communities all across Canada.
Thank you volunteers, for all the time and energy you dedicate to your seeds and to Seeds of Diversity – we couldn't do it without you!
5 Tips for Planning Your Seed Garden
Are you thinking of saving some seeds this year? It's easier than most people think, and the best time to start is now, while you're planning your garden!
Here are my top five tips for planning your seed saving garden:
Keeping Varieties Isolated
Growing and saving seeds often begins as a passion but producing high quality, pure seed is also a science. Isolation distance and minimum populations are two important factors that seed savers need to think about to ensure the seeds we grow are true to type, viable, and adaptable.
Who Needs The GM Apple?
Cortland, Ginger Gold, Ambrosia, Snowsweet, SunCrisp, Criterion, Envy, Hidden Rose ... the list goes on. These pretty names are just some of the apple varieties that are slow to brown when the fruit is cut. Many of you will, I am sure, be able to add other names to this list.
Well, a company in BC called Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) doesn't think this list is good enough. They have developed a genetically modified (GM; also called genetically engineered or GE) apple, called the "Arctic" apple, that is engineered to not brown when it is cut, for 15 days or more. According to the company, "Arctic apples have more eye appeal: no yucky browning."
Saving the Beech
A hundred years ago, large portions of the Acadian forest were 90% beech trees. The tree’s natural range extended from the eastern US, through Quebec, up to Lake Superior. The beech was an important part of eastern Canada’s forest diversity.
In this issue
5 Tips for Planning Your Seed Garden
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UPCOMING SEEDY SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
April 18:
Wolfville, Burlington, Halton, Lethbridge, Strathcona Vancouver, Hunstville.
April 19:
Vernon, Montreal.
April 22:
Fernie.
April 25:
Prince Albert.
May 2:
Hillsburgh.
May 3:
Thorncliffe Park (Toronto).
May 9:
Kitimat, Burk's Falls.
May 10:
Langley.
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