Just a few of the calendula seed we will be saving this year
I am not entirely sure when we decided to only grow from seed (except for woody herbs and very occasional crumbs from Fern Verrow's table). Perhaps it was the early visit from Seed Ambassadors Sarah and Andrew on the last leg of their European tour. They arrived laden with handwritten packets of seed they had shared on their travels from Russia to the west of Ireland.
Our oriental Russian kale seed is nearly ready to save
It has something to do with the essential mystery of planting. It is also, of course, a clear link to the first time we grew plants as kids: the wonder when seeds became flowers or carrots you could eat. And it is perhaps a tiny act of eco anarchy: passing on open-pollination, helping keep food out of the greedy hands of Mansanto or the other bio giants.
Otherworldly look of seeding flower reveals calendula's Mediterranean roots
We are currently saving Oriental Russian salad kale seed, rocket and calendula but are still undecided whether to wait for the callaloo (it takes so much room we'd love to lift it but are in awe of its fabulous flower). We will of course again save the tagetes and Trail of Tears beans we are growing from last year's seed.
Seed saved and posted to Ferngarden
That is not to say we don't happily buy packets (just ordered in the Demeter catalogue from Stormy Hall), but saving seed, swapping it and watching its birth has perhaps become as important to us as eating the crops that follow.
