Summary: There is Magic Within Seeds but Saving Them Isn’t Mystical I was talking with Ben Falk of Whole Systems Design yesterday about how more and more small seed companies are now buying at least some seed from companies associated with the ilk of Monsanto. Ben was pretty shocked to hear the Johnny’s Selected Seeds is buying some of their seeds from Semanis, which is owned by Monsanto. There is a lot of fear about GMO contamination both legitimate and ridiculous specifically when the word Monsanto comes up. The best solution is to save your own seeds but we are going to also discuss how to know who you can trust when buying seeds and times where you simply do not have to worry about GMO at all. Join me today to hear about… What is “the safe seed pledge” and why should you care Why we need to be saving seeds in the first place Breeding improvements vs. hybrids vs. GMO (all three are different) Exchanging seeds – a great form of barter The easy plants to save seed from – beans, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes Separation rules – why they exist and not stressing them Staggering pollination times to create effective separation Herbs and unusual plants are often easy to save for and over looked Storing your seeds once they are harvested (is cold storage a good idea) How to clean your seeds, what you need, what you don’t need Growing your own hybrids – hybrids are not always bad How to hand pollinate and ensure purity with squashes and melons, etc Saving root crops like garlic, potatoes, sweet potatoes for replanting The rewards of regionally adapted plants Breeding for any and all traits, it really isn’t hard Additional Resources for Today’s Show Members Support Brigade TSP Gear Shop Join Our Forum Western Botanicals – (sponsor of the day) Back Woods Home Magazine – (sponsor of the day) The History of The Safe Seed Pledge The Form for Companies to Take The Safe Seed Pledge – PDF File Heirloom Seed Swap (Please visit, sign up and list seeds) The International Seed Saving Institute Seed Saving Guide How to Make Sweet Potato Slips Dealing with “Spindly” Seedlings – YouTube Video Building an Inexpensive Grow Light System – YouTube Video Potting Up Seedlings – YouTube Video Watering Seedlings from the Bottom Up – YouTube Video Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.
