Here are some practical points to consider when saving our own seed in the case of farm grown beans, grains and even vegetable varieties:

• Start with the good quality seed. Some of the old landraces (ie. Rotkorn spelt) are still an excellent choice in terms of genetic adaptability, but modern “thoroughbred” varieties often yield better when conditions are ideal.
• Speaking from experience: the best racehorse varieties in the conventional seed trails may not necessarily be the best under organic management.
• Look for varieties with good root systems, reasonably long stems and a large leaf area. Remember: we don’t spoon feed our plants with fast acting fertilizers.
• Use clean (low weed pressure), well-drained land in good fertility for your seed plot, don’t over apply manure or immature compost.
• Keep isolation distances, start seed saving with self-pollinators.
• Keep in mind: prevention of contamination or disease-build up is a lot simpler than trying to correct it later.
• Plant in a timely manner and possibly at a lower seeding rate than your market crops.
• Try to keep weeds out; walk the plot to hand rogue weeds that are difficult to clean out later, i.e. wild oats, vetches etc.
• While walking your seed plot pick out off-types of seed crop if you find any. (Any called “negative population selection”).
• Harvest plot before over mature.
• Storage of seeds should be meticulously clean and can range from bags, mini-totes, covered plywood bins to covered small gravity wagons.
• Seed moisture should be equal or dryer than market crops.
• Use diatomaceous earth with long term storage. It is the deterrent to grain insects.
• Hire a reputable operator with a portable seed cleaner or process seed on your own farm-size seed cleaner.
• Watch out for possibility of cross-contamination during seed processing and cleaning.
• Label and record all seed vessels and related activities immediately.
• Before using your seed next season, do a simple home germination test. If in doubt, use a commercial test.

I try to follow the bio-dynamic planting guide calendar for all our seed activities. Following all the above practices, I have not seen a loss in vitality or decrease in yield potential in my seed-saved varieties over the last 18 years since we started saving our own seed.

Does seed saving sound a bit overwhelming? Consider this: At harvest time it involves only one extra procedure while harvesting the main crop. A lot of the processing of the seed can be done in the off-season. I would recommend to start with a feed-grain to get a feel for the activities involved. The COG (Canadian Organic Growers) field crop handbook (available through EFAO) has an excellent chapter on seed saving. Working with our plants in this manner can be a very pleasant way to spend our time. It is an ecologically and economically rewarding practice working on the future viability of our farm while at the same time, reconnecting with a way of life our ancestors practiced for many centuries.

Christian Boettcher 519 887-9673.